Free TomTom Maps were announced by TomTom at Apple's, CES 2010. TomTom has indicated that the maps would be available starting quarter two of 2010. TomTom is based in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. TomTom was founded in 1991 and employs 3,300 people. The company specializes in the manufacture of automotive navigation systems and software for PDA and Mobile Phone technologies.

Following in the footsteps of Google, Navigon and Nextar, TomTom is promising free map updates for select GPS navigation systems.http://hothardware.com/News/TomTom-To-Offer-Lifetime-Map-Updates/Default.aspx?. These updates will last for the lifetime of the GPS. In excess of 200 countries have been mapped as a part of this service and as additional maps are created, they will be added to the ongoing free updates.

TomTom provides details of models which are included in this offer on their official website. The company have refused to confirm whether future Tom Tom will be included in upgrades, the newest product having been launched at CES 2010http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/01/tomtom-gps-free-updates.html.

TomTom indicates that the updates is available to users by simply connecting their navigation devices to TomTom HOME. TomTom have also said that registered users will receive automatic notification of map updates as they become available. TomTom utilizes Tele Atlas maps, these will be updated each quarter.http://www.teleatlas.com/WhyTeleAtlas/Pressroom/PressReleases/index.htm

Although the offer of free maps sounds enticing, this is not truly a free offer once analyzed. Regardless of whether someone is an existing TomTom customer or not, free access is only granted to those who purchase a device which comes with the Free Map offer, for a set price.

TomTom's map service comes with the following features:

1. Updated 4 times per yearhttp://www.tomtom.com/page/mapupdateservice
2. Auto-notification made when a new map is available
3. The use of TomTom Mapshare technologyhttp://www.tomtom.com/page/mapshare
4. Ability to download a single map at any time