TomTom understand that sales of their standalone GPS devices are falling because the ability of smartphone apps able to do the same thing, albeit at a cheaper price, if you already have the handset in the first place. It comes as no surprise to us that they wish to branch out in new markets, and so we give you the TomTom Runner and Multi-Sport.

These new GPS watches follows a trend that has been made popular by Jawbone Up and the Nike+ Fuelband, so it was only obvious that TomTom wanted in on the action. These new products are ideal for runners, swimmers, cyclists and other such sports. One of the main TomTom Runner and Multi-Sport features is the large display, which allows you to see a range of graphical training tools.

Similar watches on the market can be a little awkward to use while running or cycling because of a complex menu system, but the new TomTom GPS watches has one-button control, which is a first for the industry. This makes it far easier to gain access to vital information while exercising.

Both are very easy to control and have a very slim design, and there are a several differences between the two devices, which can be found on the TomTom website.

Both GPS watches will be available in the summer, although we do not have TomTom Runner or Multi-Sport prices just yet. However, if you wish to be kept informed, then you can leave your details here.

We have to wonder if the rumored iWatch will compete in this market as well, but from what we know so far from the rumors, it does seem as though these GPS and fitness watches will be a target.

Meanwhile with the Consumer Electronics Show well underway, TomTom has announced their latest update for their iPad and iPhone navigation app, version 1.10. It comes with a host of new features including additional social aspects. This means users can now navigate directly from where they are to where their friends are by using the data gained from check-ins and event invitations from them.

The update also allows for Twitter integration in a similar way to the previously mentioned social feature. Sharing arrival times and destinations via users’ various social networks including Facebook and Twitter as well as text message and email, will also be allowed. For those that have already purchased the TomTom iOS app the update will be free of charge, obviously if you do not already own the app it will cost full price but will include all the latest features.

The update also features email, music, photos and contacts integration as well as alerts for speed cameras, traffic avoiding routes, Map Share updates and updated maps. It will be roiling out sometime during the first quarter of 2012. According to TomTom Managing Director Consumer, Corinne Vigreux, the company has taken into account that the majority of people who own an iPhone use it to go on Facebook, as proved in recent studies. She says ‘By integrating Facebook features into our TomTom App we make navigating to places, events and seeing friends even easier.’

Are you impressed by these new social aspects of the updated TomTom navigation app?

Around 54,000 of the devices, which are voiced by Jeremy Clarkson, had already been manufactured, but it appears that is to be the last of them according to PC Advisor, due to an infringement on the rules of a contract which prevents the shows presenters from endorsing any type of product related to motoring, including TomTom satellite navigation systems. In order to get around this embarrassing situation, any profits which are earned from the existing devices that have already been made will now be donated to Children in Need.

Plans that had been made to allow existing TomTom sat-nav owners to download Clarkson’s voice have also now been scrapped. For those Top Gear fans who will be left disappointed, here is some of the amusing sarcastic quotes which are programmed into the themed sat-nav devices that you will be missing out on: ‘Keep left – if you’re not sure which side left is you really shouldn’t be on the road’, ‘After 700 yards, assuming this car can make it that far’ and ‘you have reached your destination, with the aid of 32 satellites and me… well done.’

The BBC were all for the production of these devices until they realized the problem, which forced them to change their minds. Due to the thought that these devices would be very popular amongst fans in the run up to Christmas, they were being rushed out, which is why so many were able to be produced before production was halted. Clarkson is reported to have had no part in the charity deal set up and will not be making any profits from the remaining devices sold.

Are you disappointed not to get your hands on one of these devices? Were you one of the lucky ones who managed to purchase one of the 54,000 already existing?

It features all the normal features you would expect from a TomTom Go Live sat nav system; QuickGPSFix technology, TomTom Weather, TomTom Places, the TomTom Speed Camera service and a year’s worth of their flagship HD Traffic technology, except it has been given a few added extras including Top Gear raceway and race track locations built into the points of interest database, themed icons, shut-down and start-up and the choice of either having the device in Stig mode, making it as silent as the mysterious character or having Jeremy Clarkson’s voice narrating.

In a recent article we brought our readers back in May, TomTom was introducing their new Go Live 800 series, which included the 820 and 825 models. These models provided a year’s worth of LIVE services including the HD Traffic technology detailing accurate traffic data, such as alternative routes and incident reports every 2 minutes.

Corinne Vigreux, TomTom’s Managing Director calls it ‘the ultimate driving companion’ for Top Gear fans, insisting it ‘is perfect for drivers who love the open road.’ According to Expert Reviews, this Top Gear themed TomTom sat nav will include voice control and command for the address entry, Bluetooth hands-free calling and features more maps than the previous models. It will cost £179.99 and is on sale now, but is only available in the UK exclusively at Halfords.

Are you a fan of Top Gear? Will you be getting this themed TomTom?

We have no proof that this is what TomTom are doing, but it certainly makes you think. Engadget notes that the vans have only been seen in Belgium and France, so will be interesting if we see a TomTom Street View-like service in the not too distant future in those two countries? The GPS company needs to add something new to their current system, as they are being left behind by some of the newer companies offering a similar and better service.

Having said that, TomTom need to be careful what they are doing, as they do not want to get into the same situation that Google did with their Street View service coming under constant attack for invading privacy. However, one would expect TomTom to implement theirs in a totally different way.

Maybe one way is for current TomTom devices to not use animated maps, but real ones found on Street View. They could then make theirs a little different by taking out certain features like cars and people who were walking around when the vans came around to take the photos?

We know that is an almost impossible task, but it could be done. Will TomTom ever be able to compete with Google’s Street View?

According to a recent press release over on the easier.com website, both models provide users with a whole year of LIVE services. This includes the company’s flagship HD Traffic service, which delivers accurate traffic information – such as detailed incident reports and alternative routes – every 2 minutes.

The LIVE services also include Speed Cameras, which provides users with both fixed and mobile speed camera alerts. Meanwhile, the Local Search service helps you pinpoint businesses and shops in the area. It also comes with QuickGPSfix, which helps drivers to begin navigating in seconds.

Want to know about the weather? Don’t worry, the GO LIVE 800 series has you covered!! The GO LIVE 800 models will also provide drivers with both local and five-day forecasts, courtesy of the TomTom Weather service. The 820 model features a 4.3-inch touch screen, while the 825 sports a 5-inch touch screen.

As for pricing and availability, the TomTom GO LIVE 825 Europe is priced up at £229.99, and will be available to purchase from Dixons and other leading electrical retailers as from this month. Meanwhile, the smaller TomTom GO LIVE 820 will be available sometime in September 2011.

Released by Bacon Bear Productions the application allows you to enter destination address quickly in any format. Addresses can be added in single line or multiline, or they can be copied and pasted from another app such as contacts, mail, maps, and text messages. This will speed up the time it takes for your device to find your route.

Users can configure addresses into favorites and recent lists for those frequent locations. Points of interest as well as airport codes are recognized by the app. There is an auto launch feature where TomTom is launched if an address is previously copied in another app.

TomTom Now 1.0 is available worldwide on the App Store for only $1.99. iOS 4.0 or later required.

This GPS device has been with us for a few months now, but is still one of the better ones on the market. There are other options from other brands, but there are those of you who just want to stick with TomTom. The UK gets a bum deal though, as they have to pay for their map updates, whereas the U.S does not.

The TomTom XL 335T has a 4.3-Inch widescreen touchscreen display, so makes it much easier to use while driving. There are over 7 million pre-loaded points of interest, so there will never be any excuses of being bored while out for a Sunday morning drive.

For those of you looking for something a little cheaper or more expensive, then Reviewgist has a comparison of three other TomTom devices; the TomTom Go 740, TomTom Go 920 and the TomTom One 125. The first scored the same as the XL 335T, 83%, while the other two scored 75% and 66% respectively. For those of you on a lower budget, maybe you should consider the TomTom Ease.

Which of the four devices have you got, or do you have something different?

How can something with so many features only cost $80? And we can expect that price to fall in the coming days and weeks, as we get ever closer to the holiday shopping season. Who said you have to spend a couple of hundred dollars to get you from A to B?

The TomTom EASE has a 3.5-inch TFT LCD touchscreen display, which has been vastly improved over the years. The directions are spoken to you as they are on most other sat-navs, IQ Routes technology, Pre-loaded points of interest, Speed alerts are just some of the other features.

So we know that the Ease will not offer traffic reports and some of the other features that come as standard on the top of the range GPS systems. However, if you are looking for something that will get you where you need to go for a fraction of the price, then the TomTom Ease is that product. For more details visit Walmart. Check out some of these Best Buy Black Friday GPS deals.

According to a report by Paul Miller from engadget.com, the updated app will offer navigation that is more accurate, much quicker to respond, and delivers improved graphics to match the Retina display on the iPhone 4.

Another great feature in the 1.5 version is how you can use the new navigate-to-photo function, which allows you to choose geotagged photos. This update is available now from the App Store, and is said to be free for existing members or $50 for new users.

You can also relax knowing that the maps on-board your iPhone are fully up-to-date with the latest data. Have you downloaded the update, if so was it better for you?