TomTom collected data from its Tele Atlas business system GPS data to determine what streets were "congested." In order to qualify a driver has to travel at only 70% or less than the posted speed limits. And while cities like Los Angeles and New York make the top five, it's actually Seattle, Washington at the top of the pile with 43% of the roads considered congested. Full details in the gallery.

Rank: 20th
City: Houston, Texas
% Of Roads Congested: 23%
Population: 2.24 million

Rank: 19th
City: Portland, Oregon
% Of Roads Congested: 23%
Population: 557,706

Rank: 18th
City: San Juan, Puerto Rico
% Of Roads Congested: 24%
Population: 422,655

Rank: 17th
City: Long Island, New York
% Of Roads Congested: 24%
Population: 7.45 million

Rank: 16th
City: Phoenix, Arizona
% Of Roads Congested:
Population: 1.57 million

Rank: 15th
City: Austin, Texas
% Of Roads Congested: 25%
Population: 757,688

Rank: 14th
City: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
% Of Roads Congested: 25%
Population: 1.54 million

Rank: 13th
City: Fairfax County, Virginia
% Of Roads Congested: 26%
Population: 1.02 million

Rank: 12th
City: Boston, Massachusetts
% Of Roads Congested: 27%
Population: 620,535

Rank: 11th
City: Atlanta, Georgia
% Of Roads Congested: 27%
Population: 537,958

Rank: 10th
City: Oakland, California
% Of Roads Congested: 28%
Population: 645,345

Rank: 9th
City: Alexandria, Virginia
% Of Roads Congested: 28%
Population: 140,024

Rank: 8th
City: San Jose, California
% Of Roads Congested: 29%
Population: 948,279

Rank: 7th
City: Washington, D.C.
% Of Roads Congested: 30%
Population: 591,833

Rank: 6th
City: New York, New York
% Of Roads Congested: 31%
Population: 8.37 million

Rank: 5th
City: San Francisco, California
% Of Roads Congested: 35%
Population:

Rank: 4th
City: Montgomery County, Maryland
% Of Roads Congested: 37%
Population: 808,976

Rank: 3rd
City: Chicago, Illinois
% Of Roads Congested: 37%
Population: 2.85 million

Rank: 2nd
City: Los Angeles, California
% Of Roads Congested: 38%
Population: 3.83 million

Rank: 1st
City: Seattle, Washington
% Of Roads Congested: 43%
Population: 602,000

More at the Gizmodo WWDC 09 LiveBlog

As previously reported, Zipcar and iPhone have hooked up to give users of both services ultimate control.

TomTom, not willing to give up market share to iPhone users, have created an app with a window mount including a built-in speaker and microphone using the iPhone's own map system. The mount even rotates horizontally — making Gizmodo's Brian Lam remark it's how he's going to be able to watch movies while driving. Kids, don't try that at home.

Gameloft's mobile racing series Asphalt gets a series of upgrades for Asphalt5, taking advantage of the latest system improvements for the iPhone.

You can race an Audi R8 from an Audi R8.

There's a new compass system for the new iPhone 3GS using the new included magnetometer, and is integrated into the new Google maps app, showing your orientation with a small semitransparent cone.

While it's not really all that car-related, you pair this with the TomTom mount or even a Belkin mount and you've got a great replacement to the little bubble-suction cup on your dashboard.

Apple's now got voice control for the iPhone and it's the perfect way for Steve Jobs to make an end run on Microsoft-powered Ford Sync.

How does it work? If the Go x40 LIVE sees a large number of cell phones stationary along a major highway, it’ll determine that traffic is not moving and plan a route around the hold up. Such a system should work better than current systems, which rely on a limited number of stationary traffic sensors along heavily traveled roads only.

The LIVE also allows drivers to add fuel prices to maps, letting other users find the cheapest prices, and it's still capable of connecting to TomTom’s existing High Definition Traffic Service. The GO x40 LIVE will be initially available in the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, France and Switzerland, but the company does plan to expand its service to other countries in the near future. Let’s hope it comes here. [via MotorAuthority]

TomTom told BBG that the GPS company isn't even working on anything for the iPhone, at least not right now. So where did the initial Reuters report come from? It could have been an overzealous developer simply speculating, or somebody just pulling the chain of the collective automotive tech world. Or the anonymous source could just be trying to throw everyone off the trail. Time will tell. [BBG]

Applications may not be designed or marketed for real time route guidance; automatic or autonomous control of vehicles, aircraft, or other mechanical devices; dispatch or fleet management; or emergency or life-saving purposes.

This means that any hope Garmin, TomTom or any other GPS interface manufacturer had for releasing an iPhone app has officially been shot down, likely due to some ball-cradling agreement between Apple and Google Maps, the current GPS utility for the iPhone. After all, if the TomTom or Garmin interface was available on the iPhone, fewer people would use the Google Maps mashup available by default. [BBG via Giz]

There aren't currently a lot of details regarding what version of the iPhone the TomTom software supports, when/how it will be available and at what price, but there's a good chance that a TomTom navigation interface on the iPhone could trump the Google Maps mash-up that Apple is looking to offer with the 3G iPhone. Cue the death march of the traditional GPS navigation unit. [Reuters via Giz]

The Eclipse AVN2210p MK II allows for a TomTom GPS navigation unit to dock in and out of the head unit. This is extra-convenient for regular swapping of cars and for those that like to do a little walking with a GPS unit. The unit also includes a CD player with MP3 support, Bluetooth and more. It's available from Crutchfield for $600. [Crutchfield via Uncrate]

The IQ Routes requires users to opt-in to share anonymous speed data.

Lane separation is a feature that breaks down the roads and lane dividers to properly tell you what lane to be in. The lack of this feature is one of my bigger gripes with most GPS navigation units.

The models also include voice address input. The 730T and 930T include real-time traffic as well. The 930 versions are a bit different from the 730 because they include European maps, enhances position technology (for maintaining pace when the satellite goes out) and a remote control. Prices for the units begin at $450; they'll be available on April 29. [GPS Tracklog]

TOYOTA YARIS SR: A WINNING RECIPE

Take one Yaris. Add highly desirable styling and exclusive equipment features. Price competitively and sell.

It is as simple as that. Toyota has comprehensively upgraded the specification of its 1.3 VVT-i and 1.4 D-4D Yaris SR models to create one of the most impressive supermini prospects on the market.

A unique standard feature of the new Yaris SR is the satellite navigation / audio system which is both built in and fully portable. The system offers handy touch screen operation, Bluetooth connectivity and USB connection for MP3 players.

Taking as its starting point the highly specified T3 model, the SR ramps up its owner-appeal with the addition of:

* Fully integrated audio system with removable TomTom satellite navigation unit - a first in the B segment, exclusive to Toyota
* Toyota Motorsport 16-inch Pit Lane alloy wheels
* Toyota Motorsport lowered sports suspension
* Rear roof spoiler
* Chrome exhaust finisher
* Brushed alloy gearshift knob (manual versions)
* Front scuff plates

In spite of all these extra features, the on-the-road price of the SR models is just £350 greater than the equivalent T3 version and represents £1,100 extra value. And the price tag also covers nine airbags, electric front windows, remote central double locking, air conditioning, front fog lamps and the one-touch Easy Flat folding rear seat system.

The NUDAR POI file supports the big-name GPS navigation units, such as Garmin, TomTom and Magellan. You should probably act quickly, because NUDAR is currently in an beta open-registration until February 22. After that it becomes a $30-per-year service, which is completely worth it for those who travel a lot, or those that just love the boobies. [NUDAR (NSFW) via Crunchgear

Oh, you think it is funny to watch TomTom encounter two trucks in the street, then blast the hardworking device for not being able to make them move? Come on, Jeffy-boy, GPS units do the best they can to navigate you around town. Stop bullying TomTom! All it's doing is trying to help. At this point, I would suggest that you give up altogether on what you obviously believe is a deeply flawed world of GPS navigation and go back to paper maps and asking for directions.

So back off of TomTom or I'll get my gang—consisting of Garmin, Magellan and others—to come beat you up. Okay? Okay. [Boston Globe]

TomTom Home is available for Mac and PC users. Other new features include a system that allows one's shared content to be rated. Another new feature will automatically sync downloaded content. Lets say I make a Dallas Pub Crawl points-of-interest set and I update it after being banned from a bar for getting in too many fights. Everyone who downloaded the POI set will also be updated. Voila! [TomTom Home via Pocket-Lint]

Questions arise whether or not this picture is real. It is particularly blurry, and appears to be sitting on a table, which is strange because the software shows the iPhone en route to Rotterdamn.

I would hope the TomTom software will be capable of flipping to a horizontal layout depending on the orientation of the iPhone, because that would be too badass to not include. By golly, Apple is going to get into a vehicle one way or another. [Engadget]

But with cell phones, cars and coffee makers all coming equipped with GPS it's an advantage to control the maps as well as make the devices. Having access to content will allow either company to increase their offerings and improve quality, with TomTom claiming they'll be able to offer significantly better maps within a year of purchase. Try and remember that when your TomTom tells you to turn into a lake. [Bloomberg]

[Translation after the jump]

TomTom, the Yao Ming-endorsed GPS/NAV aftermarket provider, is now providing instant messenging as a new feature on their GO line. In addition, they're also providing support for audiobooks. Now we totally will have the ability to never look at the road. Just what we needed more of.

TomTom Buddies Get Friendly [Stuff Magazine]

Related:
Navigatin' With Bandit, B.A. and the Photojournalist from 'Apocalypse Now' [internal]