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| TomTom ditches map updates for some sat-navs | TomTom ditches map updates for some sat-navs |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A number of customers with TomTom sat-navs have been told that their devices will no longer receive map updates. | A number of customers with TomTom sat-navs have been told that their devices will no longer receive map updates. |
| "Your maps will become out-of-date and as such navigation will be less accurate," the firm told customers. | "Your maps will become out-of-date and as such navigation will be less accurate," the firm told customers. |
| "It has become clear that some of our older generation navigation devices do not have sufficient resources to run the newest maps and software." | "It has become clear that some of our older generation navigation devices do not have sufficient resources to run the newest maps and software." |
| Some devices that were on sale in 2017 will stop being updated and the BBC has asked TomTom for comment. | Some devices that were on sale in 2017 will stop being updated and the BBC has asked TomTom for comment. |
| The firm has published a list of affected models online. | The firm has published a list of affected models online. |
| 'Lifetime updates' | 'Lifetime updates' |
| In an email to customers, the firm added: "We will continue to provide quick GPS fix updates so your device will continue to function as it does now." | In an email to customers, the firm added: "We will continue to provide quick GPS fix updates so your device will continue to function as it does now." |
| The BBC has spoken to one user who was only given her sat-nav at Christmas, though the model was first released in 2011. | |
| Paula Hatcher's partner bought her the Start 20 device because her previous sat-nav - the same model - had not come with lifetime maps. | Paula Hatcher's partner bought her the Start 20 device because her previous sat-nav - the same model - had not come with lifetime maps. |
| "I haven't even had the opportunity to update it even once, since the email I received this morning [advised] the withdrawal of lifetime maps," she said. | "I haven't even had the opportunity to update it even once, since the email I received this morning [advised] the withdrawal of lifetime maps," she said. |
| Many of the affected sat-navs are still available online at a number of retailers. | |
| Some product descriptions continue to state that maps on the devices will update multiple times a year "for the lifetime of your device". | |
| Another customer who bought a TomTom sat-nav in 2013 said he won't be buying another product from the company. | |
| "I will use my current smartphone with updated maps," said Chris Syntichakis. | |
| TomTom's sales of devices direct to customers have recently been in "severe decline", according to analyst Chris Jones at Canalys. | TomTom's sales of devices direct to customers have recently been in "severe decline", according to analyst Chris Jones at Canalys. |
| "Clearly they've identified a business market for future growth - that includes navigation and traffic services integrated into cars," he explained. | "Clearly they've identified a business market for future growth - that includes navigation and traffic services integrated into cars," he explained. |
| He said the market for personal sat-navs had been eroded by the rise of smartphone apps that offer similar services and frequent updates. | He said the market for personal sat-navs had been eroded by the rise of smartphone apps that offer similar services and frequent updates. |
| "Within months the [sat-navs] will quickly become out-of-date when those updates stop appearing," he added. | "Within months the [sat-navs] will quickly become out-of-date when those updates stop appearing," he added. |
| "It's not just new roads, it's [information about] features on roads - road signs, speed limits, rights of way and crossings." | "It's not just new roads, it's [information about] features on roads - road signs, speed limits, rights of way and crossings." |