Connected GPS: TomTom XL 340S Live

The holiday season is fast approaching, as evidenced by back-to-school displays quickly replaced by Halloween and even Christmas merchandise. For us, the clearer evidence is the accelerated pace for GPS introductions. We've been chronicling the latest iPhone apps, and covered the geo-networking Garmin Nuvi 1690 and supersized TomTom XXL. Now, TomTom has unveiled its latest connected device, the XL 340S Live.
 
This new portable navigation device (PND) builds upon the XL 340, a well-rated unit with historic traffic data, lane guidance, reality view, and a wide screen. The "S" in the name denotes text-to-speech for spoken street names. The "Live" speaks to the connected services available with this device, previously available only in the Go 740 Live.
 
Using the AT&T network, the XL 340S Live can provide real-time information services, such as traffic, fuel prices, weather, and local search (powered by Google). The XL 340S Live includes seven million points of interest, as well.
 
TomTom touts speed for delivering traffic information as a key appeal, citing updates every two to five minutes. (Like traditional radio reports, traffic service feeds can be spotty and experience time delays before some information enters the corporate system and is fed to your device. We will evaluate this once we purchase a device for testing.)
 
Three months of Live services are included in the purchase price, with retail being $299.95 when it goes on sale in November. Live services cost $9.95 a month after that, however, you can cancel and renew the service with a month's notice. It is, therefore, feasible to use the services on a seasonal, rather than annual basis.
 
The XL 340S Live includes complete maps for the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
 
For those drawn to the features, though not interested in the connectivity, consider the less-expensive XL 340S ($225).

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings, first looks, and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.

— Jeff Bartlett