NEWS: New TomTom Via 130 & 135 With "Speak & Go"

TomTom has released a brand new SatNav device – the TomTom Via 130 (4.3-inch screen) and TomTom Via 135 (5-inch screen) – featuring a new "Speak & Go" function, aiming to make the use of the SatNav safer, as drivers can control the device with just the sound of their voice, as well as making hands-free calls, helping them keep their hands on the wheel and focus on the road.
We've just been sent one on test and it's absolutely fabulous – with great design and build quality, intuitive SatNav menus and idiot-proof, crystal clear colour displays. And the new "Speak & Go" software works a treat. TomTom say: "Speak & Go recognises over 1,000 spoken commands and their synonyms, so drivers can speak naturally to interact with their device and this is a vastly improved version of TomTom’s existing voice command and control function." We concur.
And it's still great value too – with the TomTom Via 130 available at £129 for the UK/Republic of Ireland map and £149 for European maps and the larger screen Via 135 priced at £149 for the UK/Republic of Ireland map. Plus, the new SatNavs also include hands-free calling via Bluetooth® enabling drivers to make and answer calls safely in the car. And the Via 130 & 135 come with a USB cable, with cigar lighter adaptor and adjustable screen suction clamp. "The new Speak & Go feature helps increase focus and concentration by allowing users to keep their hands on the wheel," says Corinne Vigreux, Managing Director of TomTom. "Just say an address, a Point of Interest or simply ‘take me home,’ and TomTom plans your route straight away. Interacting with your navigation device has never been easier; it slots perfectly into your everyday drive."
The Via 130 is also pioneering TomTom’s lifetime free daily map changes. Updates are based on reports from TomTom’s Map Share community of 21 million, and help drivers to deal with frequent road changes such as new speed limits and blocked roads. A Map Share service has previously been available to certain customers using maps which are less than 12 months old, but it will now be offered to cover the lifetime of a device.
Other features of the TomTom Via 130 and 135 include:
· Hands-free calling via Bluetooth
· Advanced lane guidance, giving drivers extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions.
· Improved IQ Routes, which uses real travel information shared by millions of drivers to get the best routes and arrival times at every time of day.
· TomTom Map Share, which provides drivers with free daily map changes for life from the TomTom Map Share Community.
· Integrated mounting; a convenient foldaway mount that is integrated with the device, so it is always there when needed.
For the world’s most up-to-date route planner, including live traffic information go to www.tomtom.com/livetraffic
For further information, please visit www.tomtom.com
We can't recommend this superb system highly enough. The best on the market we have tested at this price. Buy one for Christmas for someone you love – or indeed as a treat to yourself – and be very happy! It's way better than a lot of integrated car systems we have tested of late, and a whole lot more affordable too. You can even use them walking about a city you don't know. Cool product.