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The GPS industry is facing increasing competition from mobile phone applications like the ever-improving, multi-platform Google Maps. To keep up, GPS manufacturer Tom Tom is releasing a line of celebrity voiceover products called "VoiceSkins," which at this point include Homer Simpson and the legendary Snoop Dogg. Any piece of Tom Tom hardware is compatible the new voice software (even the lowly "One"), but installing it is somewhat of a convoluted process. This guide offers step-by-step instructions to get the D-O-G-G in your car A-S-A-P. Step "Zero" - Get a Tom Tom GPS The Snoop Dogg GPS voice is only compatible with Tom Tom GPS units. If you don't have one, Tom Tom's offering some select models for 40% off via its website. Even if you do, some of their newer models are really impressive and offer cool features like voice input.
Step One - Get Tom Tom's Free "Home" Application
Not only is Tom Tom Home a one-stop-shop to keep your Tom Tom's firmware, maps, and applications updated, but it's also the only way to install the new voices to your system. Visit Tom Tom's Website and download the right version of Home for your operating system: Before proceeding to the next step, be sure that Home properly recognizes your product when it is plugged in via a USB cable. If it does, you should see your device listed in the bottom right corner. You also might want to take advantage of any free map or software updates your device may be eligible for. If you aren't eligible for a free map update, you can get a discount on a Tom Tom map update here. Step Two - Buy and Download the VoiceSkin You Want
Head over to http://www.voiceskins.com/ and scroll down to the available products, which currently include the previously mentioned Homer and Doggfather:
You'll have to create an account and pay via a third-party site. After you've confirmed your purchase, go back to VoiceSkins.com, click on "My Account" and log in, then go to the "My Voices" Link on the left hand side of the account dashboard. You'll see your product(s) listed along with an icon to add them to your Tom Tom.  I use Firefox, and upon clicking that icon I was prompted to open the attachment with Tom Tom Home, which took it from there.
Step Three - Configure the GPS
Again, I can only offer instructions specific to my model (the entry-level "One" I referred to previously) as far as configuring the VoiceSkins. I would imagine, however, that these instructions are pretty similar for all Tom Tom models:
1. Tap the screen to bring up the main menu 2. Click on the "Preferences" Icon 3. On my GPS, I have to scroll to the right one screen, where there's a "change voices" icon 4. Scroll either direction until you find Homer or Snoop and hit "select" when you see this:
If you're like me, you couldn't wait to hear the Doggfather bark at 'cha for the first time, so you can also test it out before selecting. Before getting on your way, don't forget to update your maps! Sooo fly!!
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