That Google has a specific weight and a notable presence on Android and it shows: having a series of applications installed as standard encourages users to give them a chance or directly, to use them because we have them at hand. This is the case of Google Maps, an excellent navigation application supported by the almighty Google. Among this stock of applications provided by default, but also owned by Google, is Waze, another magnificent application for arriving at your destination. However, there is life beyond Google and in some cases it is better: The legendary TomTom has a free browser compatible with Android Auto that shines in certain scenarios even above legendary ones like Waze and Maps.
There is a good list of browsers compatible with Android Auto and I have tested a few for your personal and professional life. Outside of the Google network, The one I like the most by far is the TomTom AmiGo.: It has its limitations as I’ve seen, but the free version brings out colors in certain aspects of Waze and Maps. Here are not one but five features that TomTom does best, in my opinion.
Radars are better perceived
I’m starting strong with a subject that can be very expensive from all points of view: radars. Personally, I prefer Waze to Google Maps, but the TomTom AmiGo beats them when it comes to visualization. First of all, TomTom AmiGo sample fixed and mobile radars
The first reason why the speed cameras are better on TomTom AmiGo is the icon. As you will see throughout this article, the interface is one of its strong points and therefore, the radar icon is very beautiful: with a clearly recognizable color, a notable size, erected above the map and even with red distance alerts so as not to skip it.
And it has another ace up its sleeve: if you set up voice alerts, TomTom Amigo verbally informs the radar speed limit (something neither Waze nor Google Maps offer).
There is no advertising
This topic requires little further explanation: while in Google Maps and Waze we will find promoted content, either when we search for a specific service (for example, a restaurant), or even in the interface itself, which can be boring. TomTom AmiGo is free, but there are no ads.
A simple, clean and clear interface
The real winning horse TomTom AmiGo is the interface in Android Auto, very clear that I found. But be careful, that doesn’t mean that things are missing: there is what you need to get from point A to point B without getting lost, but also without getting confused with other routes, since the choice of colors and thicknesses of the paths leaves little room. room for doubt. Good job of capturing maps and information without saturating or failing.
It has a light and dark interface, but in both cases they offer good visibility and no important data is missing such as the maximum authorized speed, the cursor, the road you are on or the directions to follow. There are no distractions and if there are, it’s for a good reason (like speed cameras, although there are other incidents on the road that appear as well).
Although this point is subjective, I consider that in Waze the interface is more lively and attractive than in Google Maps. For someone who tends to get involved like me, it’s more useful and the worst part is that even the new interface hasn’t improved it (some think it’s even worse). In any case, if what prevails is the Simplicity and clarity, TomTom AmiGo is better.
Most updated maps
You have surely encountered at some point in your life the Google car that drives around your city
The rural is another story. Now I invite you to leave the city and go to the countryside. Pamplona is not exactly a town with four houses and this is neither the first nor the last time that I ask it to take me to a certain destination and Google Maps tries to take me on a path that doesn’t no longer exists. Also, this summer, on the way to Ribadeo, he showed me a road that had been changed some time ago.
Note that I have not covered the same distances with the three applications to determine which one makes the fewest errors and that my experience with TomTom Amigo has been shorter (a few months versus several years), but for the moment it surprised me for good with the cards. It’s not surprising either: a few years ago, when there was no browser on cell phones, TomTom They were the reference device for navigation, therefore he skill of the platform is without doubt. To date I can only say that the maps are complete, clear and up to date.
Only essential options
There are those who think that bigger is always better and a great horse, whether he walks or not. This is not my case: having a Ferrari for shopping at the mall on Saturday is a waste and having an app full of options that I don’t take advantage of can even harm the user experience: I always only want to edit a few items (activate dirt road avoidance and toll avoidance). TomTom AmiGo has essential settings in Android Auto.
As you can see from these lines, it is basically changing the display mode, volume and options to avoid the route: tolls, ferries, highways and unpaved roads. On a personal note, I don’t need more.
TomTom AmiGo
Free GPS navigator without ads
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In Xataka Android | I tested the new Waze on Android Auto Coolwalk and it’s clear to me: I still prefer it to Google Maps
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