TomTom Previews Navigation App For Android

TomTom has previewed its official navigation app for Android, with features that will rival free mobile mapping service Google Maps.

The Dutch manufacturer of automotive navigation systems continuous to suffer a decline in market share as more users turn to smartphones and tablets with free navigation software.

The company’s Android app stands out from Google Maps because it stores maps in bulk on a device’s storage space to offer  traffic data and offline navigation.

However, detailed offline maps usually require large storage spaces that only external memory cards can provide.

TomTom’s sales pitch for its Android software focuses on in-house IQ Routes and HD Traffic technology to provide users with quick but accurate routes and arrival times.

“We aim to make TomTom content and services available to as many devices and platforms as we can. Bringing TomTom navigation to Android smartphones is, therefore, a significant milestone for us,” said TomTom Managing Director Corinne Vigreux.

While the company has already established a large following and provides full-featured offline maps in removable storages, most users still prefer ‘good enough’ Google Maps on Android devices.

In other platforms, TomTom also needs to prove itself against Nokia’s popular mapping software in Symbian and Windows Phone operating systems.

TomTom can catch up if its app will come with a low-cost price, but Android users – the thrifty lot –still prefer free alternatives.

TomTom said it will unveil more information by October.