TotalPDA PDA & GPS News

The best-selling Palm Treo Pro smartphone is a perfectly balanced Windows Mobile device featuring ergonomic curves and a slick piano black finish. 

Its colour touchscreen and QWERTY keypad allows you to download, view and edit Word and Excel-compatible files with ease…or if you still have too much free time on your hands, you can rehearse PowerPoint presentations, review PDFs, unzip files and schedule meetings. 

Microsoft Direct Push technology ensures you receive your emails when you should, or if you want to cast work to the side for a while, the Palm Treo Pro lets you search the web and check your Hotmail, Gmail or Yahoo account instantly. This versatile piece of kit also works as a high-speed modem for your laptop - letting you multi-task at the speed of 3G mobile wireless broadband. 

The Palm Treo Pro also includes a built-in GPS receiver, helping you reach your destination as quickly and simply as possible. 

In the dimensions department the Treo Pro sizes up at 114 x 60 x 13.5mm, and weighs in at 133g. When compared against other smartphones on the market, the Treo Pro comes in at about the same size as the iPhone and a little smaller than the BlackBerry Bold. 

The Palm Treo Pro is without question a feature-packed device which is friendly both on the eye and your back pocket. Highly recommended for both business and personal use, the Palm Treo Pro is now available unlocked and sim-free from TotalPDA for only £169.99. 

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As Google strives to secure the future of its advertising network, it came as no surprise last October that they are now bundling free turn-by-turn navigation software on all Android-based smartphones. This increasing threat from Google’s entry into the mobile hardware market has prompted veteran mobile phone manufacturer Nokia to respond with a free GPS solution, dwarfing Google’s offering.

As of today, all compatible Nokia phones are eligible for the free Ovi Maps download, which includes maps of the country where the unit was purchased (74 countries and 46 languages available). The software boasts turn-by-turn voice guidance, lane assistance, traffic information, safety camera alerts and pedestrian modes.

Unlike Google’s Android GPS solution, Nokia’s Ovi Maps are installed directly onto the phone.  This means there is no direct need for a data connection, which in turn increases battery life, and makes the software an attractive option for those on capped data transfer plans.  However that’s not to say a data connection isn’t desirable, with Nokia including Lonely Planet and Michelin travel guides at no extra cost.

As of March 2010, Nokia will ship all new GPS-enabled smartphones with Ovi Maps software pre-installed. In the meantime, if you want to get your hands on this software, maps are available now from the Nokia website for the following handsets: N97 Mini, 5800 XpressMusic, 5800 Navigation Edition, E52, E55, E72, 5230, 6710 Navigator, 6730 Classic and X6.

Refurbished TomToms are satnavs which have been returned to TomTom for a variety of reasons, including unsold stock, discontinued models, unwanted items or faulty products. Following repair/restoration and rigorous testing these satnavs re-enter the market to be sold as ‘refurbished items’.

One of the leading benefits of purchasing TomTom refurbs is obviously cost. You can make massive savings whilst still buying top quality products. January is famously the month to tighten reins on spending after Christmas splurges - and where refurb is an attractive option - savings without compromising the quality of your unit.

There are also environmental benefits to buying refurb. Imagine what would happen to unwanted TomToms if they weren’t refurbished and sold again? Where would they go and what effect would this have on the environment?

There’s a whole range of refurbished TomToms now available at TotalPDA, TomTom’s only official UK reseller of manufacturer refurbished satnavs. The models include:

• TomTom GO 910 (UK, Europe, North America maps)
• TomTom ONE XL (UK maps)
• TomTom ONE XL (European maps)
• TomTom ONE V3 (UK maps)
• TomTom ONE v5 IQ Routes (European maps)
• TomTom XL v3 IQ Routes (European maps)

Prices start as low as £59.99 (ex VAT) for the TomTom ONE V3 (UK maps). Making this deal even sweeter is the free protective carry case bundled in with various TomTom refurbs worth £14.99. 

All refurbished TomTom models include current maps, along with a 12 month TomTom warranty; the same as you would get with a brand new TomTom. These satnavs are limited in supply - so what are you waiting for? Grab your TomTom today.

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This evening, Google officially unveils its first own-branded mobile phone, the Nexus One, also touted as another of many ‘iPhone killers’. Nexus One, the much anticipated smartphone, derives its name from one of the “replicants” in Ridley Scott’s classic science-fiction masterpiece, Blade Runner.

Nexus One is also the first smartphone to bear Google’s famous multi-coloured logo. Although built by HTC under strict design instructions, the Nexus One handset was designed by Google’s own engineers. This device also includes a built-in FM stereo radio with RDS and features a five megapixel camera with mechanical auto-focus and powerful flash.

Google’s Nexus One smartphone boasts a 3.7 inch AMOLED WVGA touchscreen display, slightly larger than the Apple iPhone whilst also thinner and lighter than its rival. In addition to this, the handset also features rollerball navigation for menus and web browsing. The Nexus One is shipped with a 4GB SD card for file storage, expandable to 32GB.

Google’s Nexus One is expected to be priced around £350 sim-free and its UK launch is expected later this year. Nexus One is deemed by some as Google’s latest bid to promote its ever-growing Android operating system.

As you may be aware, consumers have been enjoying the benefit of a reduced VAT Rate of 15% since the 1^st of December 2008. Introduced as one of the measures to combat the ongoing economic crisis, all goods and services in the UK have been sold since this date at a 2.5% reduction in order to boost public spending, giving the economy a much needed lift.

The VAT rate is due to return to the normal 17.5% on January 1st 2010, which means there’s little over a week left to benefit on savings at the currently reduced rate. If you hurry and order soon, you can still still save 2.5% on your order before the New Year!

We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of those who entered our Christmas Nintendo Wii competition. All customers who purchased a refurbished TomTom GO 910 between Monday 14th December and Sunday 20th December were automatically entered into today’s prize draw for the chance to win this fantastic games console bundle.

Our congratulations go to Lindsay McGuinness, who has today been announced as the winner of our exclusive Christmas Nintendo Wii games console bundle competition.

Ms. McGuinness, from Huddersfield, was lucky enough to be picked at random and will receive an exclusive Nintendo Wii games console bundle valued at over £236. The bundle includes  the Nintendo Wii Sports Edition games console, two Wii controllers, and two Nunchuk controllers and will be shipped to our lucky winner in time for Christmas Day.

If  you are planning a trip away this Christmas, updating the maps on your TomTom might be a wise move and could help to reduce the stress of your trip. The national road infrastructure can change by up to 15% over the course of the year, which means you could be taking quite a few wrong turns with an out-of-date device.

To celebrate the season of good will, TomTom have announced their winter sale and are offering up to 30% off the latest maps for selected TomTom models.

Available for download via the TomTom MapShop or TomTom HOME software, upgrading your maps is quick and easy, and could help to make your journey just that little bit easier.

TomTom and Expedia Affiliate Network (EAN) have signed a partnership agreement to help TomTom customers find accommodation on the move across Europe.

Using the new hotel booking service through their TomTom device, TomTom drivers can avoid the stress of finding that hotels are closed or full for the night in their chosen destination. TomTom drivers also benefit from the great deals that hotels provide through Expedia. Drivers can access a list of nearby hotels in Europe and then check availability, compare costs and research facilities. All the hotels a customer could want are included in the partnership ranging from independent hotels to the big name chains.

To make a booking, drivers just ring the Expedia customer support centre for the price of a local call. There’s no reservation fee, and they are guaranteed to get a great value room rate at thousands of hotels across Europe.

“The service makes it quick and easy for drivers to find a hotel when they’re on the road, saving them time and money too”, says Alain Pakiry, Senior VP Marketing at TomTom. “We were keen to find a partner who could give us access to a vast range of accommodation and provide the level of support our customers expect. Expedia was the obvious choice.”

Cameron Jones, Business Development Director EMEA for Expedia Affiliate Network adds, “This unique solution truly benefits TomTom users, giving them booking access to thousands of properties and the best value prices through Expedia. We look forward to being able to develop the solution further in the future and extending it to a global audience.”

To celebrate the launch of the service, TomTom is sending its email newsletter subscribers a voucher code entitling them to an additional 10% discount on their first hotel booking. For more information please visit www.tomtom.com/services

With Christmas fast approaching, you may be struggling to find that extra special gift idea. Currently on offer at only £99.99, the refurbished TomTom GO 910 could be just the inspiration you are looking for. Combining a 4″ widescreen, Bluetooth hands-free calling, smart extras such as iPod control, a 20GB HDD with MP3 player, plus the latest (Q3′09) maps of UK, Europe, USA and Canada , the TomTom GO 910 provides exceptional value for money.

As an added bonus, every customer who places an order for a TomTom GO 910 between Monday 14th December and Sunday 20th December will automatically be entered into TotalPDA’s exclusive prize draw for the chance to win a fabulous Nintendo Wii games console bundle. Valued at over £236, the bundle includes the Nintendo Wii System with Wii Sports, two Wii controllers, and two Nunchuk controllers.

Unlike anything on the market today, the Nintendo Wii is a revolutionary games control which offers groundbreaking motion sensitive game play, alongside exclusive legendary Nintendo classics such as Mario, Zelda and Metroid. With the included Wii Sports bundle, you can challenge your friends and family to a game of bowling, tennis, boxing, golf or baseball for a fun-filled night in. Create your own Mii character to star in your games. Play friends online over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or use the Internet Channel to surf the net from your sofa. You can even download classic Nintendo games using the Wii Shop Channel. With the Nintendo Wii, you can truly do it all!

For the chance to win this exclusive prize bundle, simply purchase a refurbished TomTom GO 910 between 12.00pm on Monday 14th December and before 11.59pm on Sunday 20th December. The winner will be drawn at random on Monday 21st December and will be notified by 5:30pm.

And it gets better! The winner will receive their Nintendo Wii prize bundle just in time for Christmas Day for a fun-filled morning of motion-sensitive madness. Our super efficient courier will whisk the bundle direct to the winner’s door faster than Rudolf can eat carrots, so one lucky person will be playing a quick round of golf before they dig into their Christmas dinner.

The winner’s name and location will be posted here on the TotalPDA blog, so keep your eyes peeled if you have purchased a TomTom GO 910 between the stated dates. Who knows? It could be you!

Click here for more information on the terms and conditions of the competition.

Take me to the refurbished TomTom GO 910 >>

There’s never been a better time to buy a refurbished TomTom GO at TotalPDA. Available in limited supply, the TomTom GO 710 has just landed in our doorstep for seamless navigation throughout UK and Europe, and is now available for only £89.99. If you are planning on travelling further afield, the TomTom GO 910 comes with maps of the UK, Europe, USA and Canada and has just been reduced to the outstanding price of £99.99.

Both models feature a large 4″ screen, hands-free calling, speed camera locations, plus smart extras such as iPod control, allowing you to connect your iPod to your TomTom GO x10 and operate it via the touchscreen. Additionally, the TomTom GO 910 features a 20GB hard drive, plus MP3 player functionality for those who like to take their library of tunes with them.

These feature packed TomTom satnavs are proving popular and make a fantastic Christmas gift for under £100, so hurry on over and take a look before these popular devices sell out!

Take me to the TomTom GO 710 >>

Take me to the TomTom GO 910 >>