TomTom and HTC are joining hands in a proposal to present quicker and more precise maps and instructions for HTC mobile phone users.

The 2 leading companies gave out statement today that HTC Locations, the Smartphone manufactures fresh new mapping and navigation service shall be coming preloaded with TomTom's "location-rich" maps.

If 10% of drivers make use of ‘intelligent’ sat-nav technology, everybody travel time can be cut by 5%, according to the new Traffic Manifesto from sat-nav provider TomTom.

It has been seen that TomTom would be providing the UK drivers and option to get directions from Star Wars baddie Darth Vader.

A new version of the Start Sat-Nav device has been launched by TomTom, by the name of Start2.

This device has got the premium features used for navigation such as lane guidance, spoken street names and compatibility with RDS-TMC traffic.

TomTom is reported to update its iPhone app, introducing loads of new features, including live traffic updates, local Google searches and better overall integration with the iPhone and the iPod functions on the device, highlighting its commitment to iPhone GPS navigation in the face of Nokia offering free GPS mapping on its smartphones.

In February, Microsoft had filed a patent-infringement lawsuit against GPS technology provider TomTom - accusing it of infringing on eight patents, including some that describe technology found in TomTom's version of the Linux OS.

It left Microsoft virtually close-mouthed, when the Dutch navigation solutions provider TomTom NV declared on Friday that it has filed a countersuit against Microsoft in a U. S. court, for infringing three/four of TomTom's patents.

It seems that Software producer Microsoft’s patent lawsuit against GPS navigation company TomTom has little perturbed the overall Linux community. Microsoft’s lawsuit against TomTom is being interpreted as the beginning of a Linux patent witch hunt, and viewed as threat to the whole free and open source software Linux community.

A lawsuit was filed by software major Microsoft against TomTom on the allegations that the in-car navigation devices by TomTom transgress on its license. The legal action was filed in the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.