RIM hires TomTom for HD Traffic service in phones
updated 01:41 pm EDT, Tue May 8, 2012
TomTom brings its HD Traffic service to RIM smartphones
RIM on Tuesday announced it has partnered with TomTom to bring the latter's HD Traffic service onto the former's smartphones. BlackBerry apps including Traffic, Maps, and Locate Services will get TomTom's touch, and even developers will have access to mapping and traffic for integration into their own apps. HD Traffic provides real-time traffic information to platforms.
Exactly which BlackBerry handset will be the first to get TomTom service remains to be seen. HD Traffic uses the GSM modem of other users to track nearby cars and triangulate the position of the deriver. Under ideal conditions, the service provides five times as many updates than without a GSM modem, relying on GPS alone.
TomTom was quick to point to a recent study that showed commuters saved 50 minutes of travel time per week. Other than time, this also saves fuel.
