TomTom rolls out low-cost GPS navigation in the US called EASE

The TomTom Start, available in Europe, is now coming to the United States as the TomTom EASE, which will serve as the company's entry-level device. The EASE features a simple two-icon touch screen, text-to -speech capabilities for street names, and TomTom's Easy Port mount that makes it the most compact navigation device the company sells.

In order to keep costs low, the screen is only 3.5-inches and the EASE includes maps for only the United States, so those driving to Canada or Mexico are out of luck. The EASE will be available soon in both black and white color options. Pricing was not announced.

The TomTom EASE specs are:

- Unit Dimensions: (H x W x D) 3.4" x 3.6"x 1.2" (including mount)

- Unit Weight: 6.1 oz. (including mount)

- Touch-screen: 3.5" LCD (320 x 240 pixels, supports 64K colors)

- Memory: 2 Gb Flash

- Maps: Pre-loaded maps of the US from Tele Atlas

- Text-to-Speech: Yes