23. TomTom HOME

TomTom HOME is a free software program for your computer that lets you manage the GO 920T and keep the software up to date. Specifically, TomTom HOME performs the following:

• Manage maps, voices, POIs
• Download Map Share corrections (and upload your corrections, if you choose)
• Transfer music and photos to the GO 920T
• Buy TomTom Services and manage your subscription(s)
• Update the GO 920T with the latest software and services
• Make and restore backups
• Read the full version of the user manual

TomTom HOME is available for Mac or PC, and supports Windows XP, 2000, Vista, and OS X 10.3.9 or higher.

Although I liked the features TomTom HOME provides, I encountered serious stability issues when using the software. After installing TomTom HOME on my IBM Thinkpad running Windows XP, my VPN client no longer functioned properly. Installing HOME on a second laptop running Windows Vista Ultimate yielded only slightly better results: the laptop could no longer sleep or wake-up without crashing to the point where I had to hold down the power button and perform a hard reboot. Through trial and error, I found that exiting TomTom HOME manually (right-clicking on the taskbar and closing the HOME application) solved the sleep/wake issues with my Vista laptop.

To install TomTom HOME on your computer, do one of the following:

• Connect the GO 920T to your computer using the included USB dock, or any standard USB cable. The computer will automatically prompt you to install TomTom HOME
• Install TomTom HOME either from the GO 920T device itself, or using the included software CD

Figure 147: Connect the GO 920T to Your PC

When you connect the GO 920T to your computer via USB, the GPS asks if you want to connect to the computer. Tapping "YES" connects to the computer and disables the on-screen controls for the GO 920T. Tapping "NO" allows you to use the GO 920T while it charges via your computer's USB connection.

Figure 148: Installing TomTom Home

Installing TomTom HOME takes a few minutes...

Figure 149: Completing the TomTom HOME Setup Wizard

Once the installer finishes, click "Finish" to launch TomTom HOME.

Figure 150: TomTom HOME

Once installed, TomTom HOME automatically launches whenever the GO 920T is connected to the computer.

Figure 151: Getting updates automatically

TomTom HOME can be configured to automatically download and install updates to the GO 920T.

Figure 152: Changing content

Downloaded updates are automatically transferred and installed on the GO 920T.

Figure 153: Downloading Map Share Updates

If you have chosen to participate in TomTom's Map Share program, Map Corrections are automatically downloaded and installed.

TomTom HOME also checks the map version installed on the GO 920T, and notifies you if the maps are out of date. Figure 153 (above) shows the default maps that shipped installed on the GO 920T are not the most current, and newer maps are available for download.

Figure 154: Latest Map Guarantee

TomTom's "Latest Map Guarantee" ensures that new TomTom GO devices get the most current maps installed. Valid for 30 days from the first time the GO 920T is connected to TomTom HOME, "Latest Map Guarantee" downloads and installs the most current maps available at no cost.

Figure 155: Downloading New Maps

A full updated map for North America and Europe is around 2 GB in size. Depending on your Internet connection speed, the download may take a while.

"Latest Map Guarantee" makes it easy to download and install any available map updates you may be eligible for. Note that this feature is aimed at customers who purchased a new TomTom GO that contains older maps.