4. TomTom Services

What distinguishes the GO 740 from other TomTom GPS devices is the built-in GPRS receiver that gives the 740 wireless access to TomTom's LIVE connected services, Currently, the LIVE bundle consists of the following features:

• TomTom Traffic
• Local Search powered by Google
• Fuel Prices
• Weather
• QuickGPSfix
• Buddies

The GO 740 includes three months of complimentary LIVE service, after which you'll have to pay $10 per month.

Figure 44: Preferences Menu 7 of 8

Before we can make use of TomTom's LIVE services, the GO 740 needs to know the user account information associated with the monthly LIVE Services subscription plan. Locate the MyTomTom account icon from the preferences menu, shown above.

Figure 45: TomTom Services

If you already have a TomTom account, tap Yes to enter it. If you haven't yet setup a TomTom account, you'll need to do so before proceeding.

Figure 46: Username

Use the on-screen keyboard to enter your TomTom Username.

Figure 47: Username and Password Accepted

The GO 740 validates your username and password wirelessly. Tap Continue.

Figure 48: Main Menu

Tap the TomTom Service icon from the Main Menu, shown above, to access the LIVE offerings.

Figure 49: TomTom Services

The TomTom LIVE Service menu is shown above. If your TomTom account is correctly setup, and you have an active subscription (or are still within the free 3-month trial), and have cellular reception, you should see the TomTom Service menu, shown above.

We'll look at each LIVE service in more detail, starting with the most useful feature, Google Local Search. Tap the Google icon to find a business or place using Google.

4.1 Google Local Search

Figure 50: Google Local Search

Google Local Search lets you specify where you want to search:

• Search near you - Search near your current location
• Search in city - Enter a city name and search within that city
• Search near destination - Only available when en route to a destination address. Searches near your destination
• Search near another location - Lets you enter a street address to search near

Figure 51: Google Local Search

You can use Google Local Search to find businesses by name, or by category. For example, you can search for a specific restaurant if you already know the name, or you can enter a more generic search, such as "Chinese Food". Enter your search query and then tap ok.

Figure 52: One Moment Please

Google searches generally took 10 - 20 seconds to complete, though sometimes it took much longer to complete.

Even when driving in areas of strong cellular coverage, such as New York City, sometimes it appeared the search was never going to complete, and I ended up canceling the search after a few minutes of waiting.

Figure 52: Google Search Results

Google search results are sorted by distance. When searching for a restaurant or hotel, a star rating is also displayed next to each result.

One difference between Google search on TomTom's GO 740, and Google search on a smartphone or computer is the lack of Google's handy "Did you mean" feature. If you mis-type a business name or make a spelling mistake, Google (on a computer or smartphone) will suggest the closest match, and display "Did you mean...". During my testing, when searching for specific restaurant or places by name, I wasn't always sure of the exact spelling, and ended up using my Blackberry's Google search function to find the correct spelling.

Figure 53: Google Search Details

Tapping a name in the results list displays a close-up map of the area, and the POI's phone number. Additional details can also be viewed by tapping Details, as shown below.

Figure 54: Additional Google Search Result Details

Tapping Details on the previous menu displays the full details screen, shown above. Depending on the type of business or place you searched for, Google provides additional details that might be helpful. For example, when searching for a restaurant, Google tells you why types of payment are accepted, the cuisine type, and average entree price. In this case, a link to the online menu is also provided.

When possible, Google also displays the provider it used to get the information displayed (Allmenus.com, in this case).

Figure 55: Google Search, Details

This restaurant delivers, and Google displays the address range the restaurant will make deliveries to.

Figure 56: Local Search

Google search results can be navigated to, added to the address book (Favorite), or inserted as a stop along an existing route.

TomTom's Google powered search service is a powerful feature that gives the GO 740 access to virtually unlimited numbers of POIs. But the utility could be greatly enhanced by improving response time, and adding some of the Google features found on smartphones and web browsers.