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Tom Tom GO Personal Navigator Source Code Released
Fofer writes "TomTom, makers of personal navigation software for PDA's and cell phones, also have a standalone device called the TomTom GO. Early reviews are excellent, with its sleek design and unique 3-D interface. Unlike other standalone GPS units, this one runs on Linux. It uses an SD card (optionally prefilled with the entire U.S. map) and 11 voices to choose from. More available here for free (in OGG format, no less!). There is also Mac support provided by a 3rd party. The big news is that this week, TomTom finally released the kernel they used, source code, patches, etc. of the device under the GNU General Public License (GPL). This is one sweet looking device and I can't wait to get my hands on one and start tinkering. Hmm... Ogg/MP3 jukebox anyone?"
Called the what?
I'm glad to see OSDN puts some requirements on their slashvertisments now.
..": check.
Related to linux: check.
References to other open source software: check.
Playing with phrases like "cant wait to get my hand on
Posted by anonmyous user without email or homepage: check.
Most likely not. You see, if they release the source for this program there is no incentive anymore to buy the device, and any geek with a compiler and a handheld will be able to run this without Tom Tom ever making a dollar.
I like open source software, and I am all for someone developing an open source GPS-program, but these people need to make money. The community should be happy with the fact that they actually sticked to the rules and released the patches to the software they used, unlike some companies.
We'll never get rid of closed source software, but if both open and closed source software can benefit from eachother (eg Linux & Tom Tom), I still find the product a lot cooler than some windows CE box.
The GPL'ed source code used in TomTom GO falls into three categories:
1. The Linux kernel for ARM, with modifications by TomTom.
2. The GNU C library (glibc), which is used unmodified.
3. BusyBox, which is used unmodified.
So , what exactly is the big deal here ? The used the linux kernel , glibc and busybox . The last two being unmodified , so they don't really count as "released by TomTom" . The modified linux kernel was released because of the gpl , and it was probably a very small price to pay instead of developing their own operating system for the device or buying from some vendor (anybocy has any clue to what where they useing before ?) .
It's not like they've released the source to their software or anything like that . What are you all going to do with the modified kernel ? Make a patch so you can run GNOME on the device ? If so , it's in TomTom's advantage . They're in a win-win situation , don't you see ? Not like it's someting to be ashamed for . But you have to realise that there's no charity involved .
As a side note we've bought their PDA software (all European maps included) for my boss to use in his latest trip . Well , the package has just now arrived to customs , a week too late , and my boss is happily roaming Europe with eMule software on his PDA , haveing no other choice .... No comment !
Yeah. Can't wait to get my hands on one. Of course, the fact that it costs around $800 will probably keep that from happening. While the small form factor is nice, I tend to reserve my 'tinkering' for devices that cost less than a brand new PC.
I know, this may be foreign to the US contingent of the /. crowd, but where is the handheld version?
At least I pretty much never use GPS in a vehicle; even when I want to get to a specific address (not an easy feat in Japan), I would use maps to get to the general area, then get to the actual point (like a geocache or an address) on foot.
Just curious... why would using a GPS on foot have anything to do with being from the US or not?
I used to work at Circuit City... we sold in-car, handheld, CF (maybe SD too, I don't remember), and USB GPS devices. Many people use them to go hiking or in just the same manner as you described just above (especially the customers who navigate in Chicago).
Anyway, the article has pics of the device in someone's hand, makes several mentions of how small it is (one pic shows it next to a RIM Blackberry), and mentions the optional car mounting brackets.
Pulling together is the aim of despotism and tyranny. Free men pull in all kinds of directions. It's the only way to mak
For all of you that didn't already know, TomTom used to mainly make WindowsCE/PocketPC navigation software. Their PocketPC binaries are available for free from their site somewhere, and that's obviously not where the money is being made. The real money is in the maps, which have heavy serial number protection combined with compulsory online registration.
I don't see why they couldn't release their navigation software for Linux so we can run it on our desktops and Zaurus PDA's, though it would expose the serial number generation sequence, most likely... but with legally bought maps, it should be usable on Linux.
I imagine it wouldn't be too hard to extract the application from the GO and run it on a Sharp Zaurus PDA, though it'd probably not be legal.