TomTom has just received approval from the Federal Communications Commission to release its two-way HD Traffic GPS in the United States. Its European cousin with a 4.3-inch widescreen LCD, 1GB of internal storage and a SIM card slot became popular in the Netherlands last year.

Ubergizmo says, "What makes the HD Traffic so special include a modern traffic information system that helps you reach your destination faster, 5x more traffic updates compared to other services, wide coverage including highways and N-roads, relevant pre-trip information to help you avoid unnecessary jams," and a host of other innovations.

Despite excitement about the HD Traffic's capabilities, there is no confirmation from TomTom that a U.S. version will see the light of day. Engadget says the device "has been helping European drivers help each other for some time now, and it looks like it could now possibly be headed to the US as well, although that's not quite a sure thing." All Gadgetell could scrounge up was that the HD Traffic "should be available in the US soon…hopefully."

A Technoride blogger offers no praise until he gets his hands on one. He writes, "I'm curious to see next generation traffic reporting systems, given that I wasn't particularly impressed with the accuracy of several recent American models I've tested here."

GPS Lodge has more confidence. A blogger spied a TomTom HD's 12V power outlet with a SIM card on the FCC site in December 2007 and predicted receiving traffic information from mobile phone networks through TomTom "would leapfrog the current traffic offerings that travel across the FM airwaves."

The anticipated TomTom HD Traffic has similar functionality to the Dash Express. GPS Tracklog says "Like the Dash Express, TomTom's HD Traffic will use anonymized cell phone data to bring real-time traffic information to your device." However, there's no indication the HD will offer the Dash Express' Internet connectivity, nor its now affordable pricing.

Check out other TomTom GPS devices in U.S. News' nav system buying guide.