The sheer volume of user-generated content available via the TomTom HOME community has been overwhelming to say the least. Voices, POI sets, startup screens, MapShare edits, thousands of people all over the world are creating and sharing content for their TomTom devices.

Club TomTom recently caught up with Pedro Nieto, one the most prolific content sharers at TomTom HOME. We thought we’d get his opinion about HOME and the various kinds of content that people are now creating and sharing…

Club TomTom: Pedro, you’ve been hanging around the GPS forums for awhile now. When did you start creating custom content for your TomTom?

Pedro: I’ve been creating custom content for TomTom before I had even purchased my TomTom. I knew I wanted to purchase the GO 910 and I wanted to be ready for it. First, I wanted to get all the Red Light Cameras in Los Angeles, Orange County area. I began driving around and writing down the street intersections. I had some data but did not know what to do with them. Then I learned about great free programs such as POIedit from www.poiedit.com. I used this program as a tool to organize my custom POIs.

CTT: What’s the most popular POI set you create?

Pedro: My favorite POI content is Restaurants. This seems to be the most common POI category I get requests for. It’s great when other TomTom users tell me their stories how they can now easily find their favorite restaurant or coffee shop with the POI I have made.

People seem to always request restaurants, shops and attractions. When they request them, users always mention they will need it for the upcoming trip, either business or pleasure.

CTT: What’s your impression of the current HOME community?

Pedro: The HOME community is growing and that’s great. Especially within the MapShare community when users are uploading their corrections to the MapShare server. I upload corrections daily making it easier for the MapShare community to receive my updates. I do enjoy the car icons, schemes, and start up/shut down images from HOME. They are enjoyable to install and play with.

CTT: Last one Pedro, why is user content creation so popular?

Pedro: Users want to get the most out of their device making it easier for them to travel and reach their destinations. There are many little bells and whistles that people require more today than before, and everyone has different needs and preferences.

CTT: Thanks for the insight Pedro!

To get started building and sharing your own custom content, visit www.tomtom.com/home/personalize-device

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