Toyota T-Connect interactive navigation service launched in GCC
Toyota has launched an “interactive telematics service” called T-Connect in the Middle East, which is basically a navigation app for your smartphone, but with an on-call concierge. It will come with every new Toyota purchase.
The T-Connect service, which will be available through a smartphone app, offers its customers access to useful information as well as services using the app’s navigation feature as well as an operator who can be called up for advice. Customers can also access the service through an interactive touchscreen, assuming your Toyota came factory-installed with one.
Having used it at the launch event, during a drive around town, basically you first have to download the T-Connect app to your smartphone. The app contains simplified navigation software that allows you to call up a 24/7 toll-free number at the press of a button. You ask the operator for directions to a certain place, such as a hotel or even the nearest sushi restaurant, and they will find it for you. After the call ends, they automatically update your app’s navigation map with the directions to your destination, with different route options to choose from, depending on whether you want to take the shortest route or the Salik-free route. It can then be run offline. If you still get lost, you can call them up again and moan.
Maps for the entire GCC are loaded, and updated twice a year, but you can only contact the Dubai-based call center from the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar at the moment.
Aside from the usual automated voice-guidance navigation in English or Arabic, other features include Islamic prayer-time notifications, 3D landmarks, offroad breadcrumbs and a Qibla compass. Currently, the app is only available for iPhone and Android smartphones, so Nokia owners are out of luck.
The T-Connect service which will be available for all new Toyota buyers free of charge, but only for the first year, after which it is Dhs 150 per year. Previous Toyota owners, or just about anyone else with a smartphone, can still download the app for a 7-day free trial, and then use the app for the same fee. It can be used even while walking or taking a taxi, so it isn’t bound to the car like the OnStar system offered by General Motors in the States.
The Middle East will be the third region where Toyota is launching its smartphone-based telematics services after Japan and Thailand.
Comments
Mohammed Ejaz
Will it eat into my mobile data package?
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Apparently a few kilobytes.
Kamran Gabriel
Sygic is a much better option with its offline turn by turn voice guided navigation… and its lifetime license is about 300 dhs only.. although u can try its 7 days free trial…
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
This one is offline voice-guidance too, once the directions are downloaded after the free call.
Kamran Gabriel
But why pay 150dhs per year.. when we can even get a sygic voucher edition which is then free for lifetime and u get updates as well + a car mobile holder+ car charger.. for only 199 dhs on carrefouruae webstore…
😛
You must be wondering why am i supporting sygic so much, its because only last week i was searching for an app like this…and came across sygic..
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
We don’t support anyone either way, but the key difference here with the T-Connect you are talking to a human to help you find places, even if you don’t know the exact name.
cayanide
Talking to a human… I guess the human is asking to a machine eventually his knowledge is also limited to the input he gets from the caller so it isn’t any + thing just some value addition imagine the language barrier, accent issues and so many other problems its better to use Google maps or update your GPS device POI
jap_pb
“If you still get lost, you can call them up again and moan.” That’s really funny, mate… LOL! Agree with Kamran, Sygic is a better option as not only it is available offline, it will recalculate your route in case u took the wrong turn. However Google maps is the best one for me as it also recalculates your route based on the latest traffic condition.
Vishnu
Dear Mash,
I just booked a toyota corolla 2.0 Will i get access to t-connect.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
I suppose you should. Ask them, since it seems to be operational.
Ironman
Customer service didn’t seem to know what i was talking about, told them to refer drivearabia.com
😉
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Haha. I guess this is somehow a scoop then.
sixan
iam not able to find out this software plz send me the link anybody knows????
kishore
Hi, I have downloaded the software in my iphone and registered. but, i couldn’t download the map through navigation system. I registered my mobile no. with 050 code. Is it the proble? how to rectify it? anyone knows? pls help
susan
I want to connect.how I will do