G-Book

Lexus navigation system with G-Book/G-Link ('G'-icon button on touchscreen)

G-Book was a telematics subscription service provided by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan[1][2][3][4] for its Toyota- and Lexus-branded vehicles. G-Book allowed users to link with cellphones (such as the Toshiba T003 cellphone).[5] personal digital assistants (PDA)'s, personal computers (PC) and G-Book equipped cars across Japan.[6] It is based on the former GAZOO infrastructure (renamed Toyota Media Service Corporation) of Toyota's membership-based information service and membership system, and it provides interactive information services via vehicle installed touch-screen wireless communication terminals. It also incorporates information from Toyota Mapmaster Inc. which updates digital mapping information and is used by various international companies.[7]

The subscription service replaces the need to periodically update in-car navigation systems that use CD, or DVD installed maps that must be updated with the latest information. The maps are sent by internet connections established through the drivers cellphone with a data download plan associated with the cellphone.

A G-Book application can be installed on select mobile devices, thereby providing the technology without having to purchase a vehicle installed with the technology.[8]

A proprietary service with additional functions for the Lexus division, G-Link, debuted on Japan-market Lexus models starting in model year 2006.[9] Toyota made available G-Book devices as optional equipment in all Japanese domestic market Toyota, Daihatsu and Lexus vehicles starting with model year 2007. An article posted by "Response.jp" stated in an article on July 15, 2009 that Toyota was introducing G-Book in a specially identified Toyota Camry to be sold in Beijing, China.[10] As of November 2009 the G-Book-equipped Camry is available in Shanghai as well. G-Book was also introduced on Lexus models in China in 2009.[11]

In Japan (T-Connect Japan Archived 2018-08-05 at the Wayback Machine), and recently in Middle East countries (Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and UAE) T-Connect is being offered as a download from Apple's AppStore and Google Play as a subscription telematics service, which uses the G-Book architecture.

G-Book services were discontinued on 31 March 2022.[12]

  1. ^ "Toyota G-Book - Gizmo Highway Auto Guide". Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  2. ^ "phoneyworld.com". www.phoneyworld.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  3. ^ "Toyota Announces New G-BOOK Telematics". Wireless Watch Japan - Mobile in Tokyo. Archived from the original on 9 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Toyota Develops G-BOOK Information Network". Archived from the original on 21 January 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2009. Description of all services offered as of 28 August 2002
  5. ^ "Toshiba T003 Clamshell Cellphone" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 23 February 2010.
  6. ^ "TOYOTA: News Releases". Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  7. ^ "Toyota Mapmaster Incorporated". Japan. 2003. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016.
  8. ^ "G-BOOK". Archived from the original on 9 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  9. ^ "【中国 次世代トヨタ】"CAMRY 智能領航版" 中国版G-BOOK ｜ Response". Archived from the original on 18 July 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2009. Camry "G-Book" sold in China (Japanese)
  10. ^ "LEXUS - release 20090908". Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  11. ^ "【重要】G-BOOKサービス終了のお知らせ". G-BOOK. Retrieved 1 April 2024.