11. Map Corrections & MapShare

Figure 121: Main Menu 2 of 3

Map Share allows you, and other TomTom owners, to correct mapping errors directly on the GPS, and then share those corrections with other TomTom owners via TomTom's HOME software. Using Map Share, if you're driving around and notice an error on the map, you can mark the error, as well as the correction, directly on the device.

If you choose to participate in the Map Share program, your map corrections are shared with other users, and maps are automatically updated each time the GO 740 is docked with the computer.

The level of map sharing can be configured to accept all corrections, or only those verified by TomTom.

Even if you choose not the participate in the Map Share program at all, you can still benefit from other TomTom owners' corrections and automatically download Map Share updates. Also, the ability to change the mapping data directly on the GPS device is a powerful feature that allows drivers to correct mapping errors immediately instead of having to potentially wait years for mapping providers to update their database.

According to Harold Goddijin, TomTom's CEO, on average, if you drive anywhere for one hour with a map enhanced by Map Share feedback, your route will be influenced by more than 20 corrections.

Figure 122: Map Corrections

The Map Corrections main menu, shown above, lets you configure your map sharing preferences, correct a map error, or download other users' map corrections.

Figure 123: Map Corrections 1 of 2

Map correction can't be used to make major changes to the map. For example, you can't use the GO 740's map corrections feature to add a completely new highway. But you can add or remove roadblocks, mark a one way street, change street names, and update turn restrictions and speed limit information.

Figure 124: Map Corrections 2 of 2

Map correction can also be used to add new POIs or update existing POIs.

Figure 125: Verification Level for Map Changes

When downloading map corrections to the GO 740, you can specify which changes you want to accept. The default setting is to only accept changes that have been verified by TomTom. This setting means fewer changes will be downloaded, but there will be fewer erroneous updates.

12. Bluetooth

If you have a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone, you can use the GO 940 to place and receive phone calls, and send and receive messages.

Hands-free speakerphone quality was generally good, and callers they could tell they were on a speakerphone, but they could hear what I was saying relatively clearly.

Figure 126: Enabling Bluetooth on the GO 740

Before you can make use of the Bluetooth related features, you'll need to pair the GO 740 with a compatible cell phone. To begin the pairing process, tap Mobile phone from the Main Menu.

Figure 127: Enable Bluetooth Connection

Tap "Yes" to turn on the GO 740's Bluetooth receiver and begin the pairing process.

Figure 128: Start Searching for Phones

Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled on your cell phone, then tap Yes to search for nearby Bluetooth devices.

Figure 129: Searching for Phones

The GO 740 searches for nearby Bluetooth enabled cell phones. This process takes around 60 seconds.

Figure 130: Please Confirm

Tap "YES" to confirm that you want to setup a connection between the GO 740 and your cell phone.

Figure 131: Checking Phone Features

When the GO 740 attempts to connect to your cell phone, the phone will likely ask for a password to verify that the connection is authorized. It's a good idea to add the TomTom GO as a trusted device on your phone. Otherwise you'll have to enter the password every time.

Figure 132: Phone is Now Connected

The TomTom GO reports that the device is now successfully paired with a Bluetooth enabled phone, and ready for hands-free calling.

Figure 133: Phone Menu

The Phone Main Menu, shown above, lets users redial the last used number, place a new call, lookup numbers from your phone's address book, read and write SMS messages, and change phone preferences.

Figure 134: Call Menu

To make a phone call using the GO 740, tap Mobile Phone in the Main Menu, then tap Call. The Call menu appears, shown above.

The following call options are available:

• Home - dials the saved phone number for your Home location.
• Number - tap Number to enter a number to call
• Point of Interest - Tap "Point of Interest" to choose a POI to call
• Phonebook entry - dials a contact from the phonebook (this option is only available if your phonebook has been copied to the GO 740)
• Recently dialed - Re-dial a recently called number
• Recent Caller - View a list of recent incoming phone calls, and dial a number from that list

Figure 135: Dialing A Number

The on-screen dial pad can be used to manually dial a number.

Figure 136: Get Numbers From Phone

The GO 740 can wirelessly download the phonebook from your cell phone.

I tested the GO 740 with two different Blackberry models, and, despite seeing the success message shown above, I wasn't able to completely copy the address book from either phone onto the GO 740. In both cases, only the phone numbers, and none of the names, were copied over. That meant browsing the address book was useless, since you could only see a long list of phone numbers with no names.

Figure 137: Incoming Call

When an incoming call is received, the caller's phone number is displayed on the screen and you're given the option to Pick up or Refuse the call.

Figure 138: Using Handsfree Speakerphone While Driving

When placing or receiving a phone call while navigating, the telephone icon is displayed on the map, and voice navigation prompts are suspended for the duration of the call, and are replaced by a short "beep" tone that indicates it's time to make a turn. Once the call is finished, normal audio resumes and you'll hear navigation instructions.