9. Voice Input

The GO 740 includes a speech recognition feature intended to allow virtually hands-free operation while driving.

Let's take a closer look at the speech input features on the TomTom GO 740:

Figure 113: Microphone Icon on the Map Screen

Before the GO 740 can respond to a verbal command, you need to tell it you're about to issue a voice command. The microphone icon on the map screen is a shortcut that "wakes up" the GO 740 so it will listen for a verbal instruction. You can also issue verbal commands by tapping Main Menu > Navigate to... > Address > Spoken address (dialog).

Figure 114: Listening Mode

After pressing the microphone icon on the map screen, the "Listening" widget appears in the upper right corner of the screen, as shown above. The GO 740 is now "listening" for a verbal instruction.

The following voice commands can be issued:

Navigation Commands:

• Navigate to home
• Navigate to address
• Navigate to favorite
• Navigate to city center
• Navigate to nearest ATM
• Navigate to nearest gas station
• Navigate to recent destination

Routing Commands:

• Calculate alternative
• Clear route
• Minimize delays
• Read traffic info
• Start itinerary

Voice recognition basics:

• Repeat instruction
• Back
• Cancel
• Quit

Display commands:

• 2D view
• 3D view
• Zoom in
• Zoom out
• Brightness up
• Brightness down
• Night view
• Day view

Volume commands:

• Volume up
• Volume down
• Sound off
• Sound on

Hands free calling commands:

• Call
• Call back
• Call home
• Redial

Let's look at entering a street address using voice commands.

Figure 115: Listening

When the GO 740 is listening for verbal input, the speech recognition icon is displayed in the upper-right corner, and "Listening..." is shown in the upper-left corner, as shown above.

Speak the city name, and then wait for the GO 740 to repeat what it thinks you said, and ask "is that right?". Say "yes" if the GO 740 understood you correctly. (To change the state, you must touch the green State icon and choose a different State)

Figure 116: Select a city...

After you speak the city name, the GO 740 lists up to six names that it thinks might be right.

If the correct city name is one of the other six choices on the list, say the line number of the correct city. If none of the six choices are correct, say "Back" or "No" or tap the Back button to return to the previous screen and try saying the city name again.

In this example I'm entering an address in New York City, so I'll say "1" to continue.

Figure 117: Say the Street Name

Next, speak the street name.

Figure 118: Select a street

If the correct street name is already highlighted, say "Done" or "OK" or "Yes" or "1" to select it. If the correct street name is one of the other choices on the list, say the line number of the correct street.

If none of the listed choices are correct, say "Back" or "No" or tap the Back button to return to the previous screen and try saying the street name again.

Figure 119: Say the House Number

TomTom says numbers should be spoken as one continuous sentence. For example, "one hundred and thirty five". "One three five" also worked for me, as did "one thirty five". With the address fully entered, you can now begin routing to the destination.

Overall, voice input worked, but only if there was almost no background noise. Trying to use voice input while driving on the highway was next to impossible. Also, you have to confirm each voice command at every step, making voice input more time consuming than regular touchscreen input.

In its current form, voice input on the GO 740 feels more like a gimmick than a feature you'll actually use.

10. IQ Routes

Figure 120: IQ Routes

IQ Routes were originally introduced on the GO 730 and 930 models, and is also included on the new GO 740 LIVE. IQ Routes allows the GPS to incorporate historical traffic pattern information when figuring out which roads to travel to a destination.

When the GO 740 calculates the route to a destination, IQ Routes considers historical traffic information for the time of day, as well as the day of the week, and adjusts the route accordingly. Estimated drive time is also adjusted, according to the IQ Routes historical traffic information .

Compared to earlier, non-IQ Routes enabled TomTOm GPS units, the GO 740 was noticeably better at picking "better", more intelligent routes. For example, when traveling to New York City during rush hour mid-week, the GO 740 favored less traveled roads and surface streets. But when driving to the same destination on a weekend, the GO 740 tended to route my along major highways instead.

IQ Routes is a powerful feature that enhances the routing intelligence of the GO 740, putting it on par with GPS units from Garmin and Magellan.