TomTom Navigation Software Coming to iPhone

[sassenach74]

Not sure if this has been posted (I've done a search)

Just read on engadget that TomTom already has navigation software to run on the iPhone:

That sound you hear is the not-yet-released nüvifone trembling in fear, as TomTom has just announced that an iPhone-ready version of its famed navigation software is practically ready to rock 'n roll. More specifically, a TomTom spokesman was quoted as saying that its "navigation system runs on the iPhone already," and he made the statement hot on the heels of the iPhone 3G announcement. Sadly, he wouldn't disclose an estimated release date for the software, but it's safe to say that the TomTom touch could make Apple's darling a formidable nüvifone opponent.

Link: http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/09/tomtom-already-has-iphone-navigation-software-ready-to-roll/

Thoughts?

[Elsewhere]

GPS is one of the reasons why I waited and did not buy the first generation iPhone.

As soon as I can, I want to buy the iPhone and navigation software be it TomTom, Garmin or any other reputable navigation company... then sell my current TomTom device. :cool:

[Dammit Cubs]

how much data is their nav going to take up?

The reason apple went with an assisted gps is to use the internet for the maps while using the gps for coordination. it takes up no space.

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/06/10/033511-tomtom.png

After today's announcements (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/06/09/apple-announces-iphone-3g/) that the new iPhone 3G will have hardware GPS included, TomTom announced (http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSB46553120080609) that they already have a version of their navigation software running on the Apple iPhone and plans on selling it to consumers."Our navigation system runs on the iPhone already," the TomTom spokesman said after Apple announced a new version of the iPhone that will include global positioning (GPS) capability.
TomTom (http://www.tomtom.com/) is a manufacturer of car navigation systems (see above) and software.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/06/10/tomtom-navigation-software-coming-to-iphone/)

[liketom]

The Killer App ! can not wait

[richbad25]

for the current iphone right?nice...if so

[chemistslime]

If you can't beat them, JOIN THEM. Here's a prime example.

[Piarco]

for the current iphone right?nice...if so

If you mean the one that is already available then, no, but the new 3G phone yes.


It wasn't too long ago when TomTom said they weren't going to produce an iPhone version of Navigator! Guess they were just waiting for yesterday. But this is one of the main apps I want, and if it's got the new IQ routes, I don't need that Go 530 after all....

[Sean7512]

Am I the only one that sees no point in this app??? Google Maps can track you via GPS and give you turn by turn directions, why would I pay for this? :confused:

Anyone?

[g8bo]

maybe because you can load the maps on your iPhone over iTunes and not over 3G... that's very useful if you're going to a trip outside the 3G-coverage!

[waqal25]

Am I the only one that sees no point in this app??? Google Maps can track you via GPS and give you turn by turn directions, why would I pay for this? :confused:

Anyone?

Google Maps doesn't have turn by turn directions (audio) as a traditional GPS. Wouldn't you want your iPhone to be ALL in one device.

[Piarco]

Am I the only one that sees no point in this app??? Google Maps can track you via GPS and give you turn by turn directions, why would I pay for this? :confused:

Anyone?

What waqal25 said :D

Google Maps in no way can compare to a true satnav solution - no IQ routes, no shareable routes etc. I can see this working worderfully with the handful of iPhone FM transmitter docks that have just been released. Plus I can have John Cleese giving me directions :D

[Optimus Frag]

This really is the killer app. When i first heard that the rumour that GPS was likely to be on the 3G iphone, I was thinking Tom Tom and sat nav. With data updates over the air and 3G speeds to download them and unlimited data on iphone tariffs, who is going to need anything else. Plus it will work when your on foot. You will never have to ask for directions again!! This is what is making the new v2 software exciting. The flexibility that it affords to the phone MORE than makes up for any quibbles that anyone has about no video conferencing and 'only' a 2MP camera.

[sneeks]

Excellent news and a far better option than Maps.

[superleccy]

Am I the only one that sees no point in this app??? Google Maps can track you via GPS and give you turn by turn directions, why would I pay for this? :confused:

I have a Tom Tom 520. The software is excellent (if a bit bloated). In addition to the navigation, which kicks the butt of every other SatNav I've tried, it also warns you about speed cameras (even temporary ones), and can automatically route you around traffic jams before you hit them.

The problem at the moment is that my TT520 needs to use a mobile phone as a bluetooth modem to get traffic & speed camera updates. You can't use the iPhone as a modem.

If the TomTom software for the iPhone is as good as for their standalone units, I'll be very very happy. :D

SL

[senorFunkyPants]

Grrr...I had managed to convince myself that I didn't need to upgrade to the new iPhone even with it having GPS but the addition of Tomtom might be too much to resist!
Do you think that you would be able to have music playing and GPS/Tomtom running at the same time?

[alexboy45]

how much data is their nav going to take up?

The reason apple went with an assisted gps is to use the internet for the maps while using the gps for coordination. it takes up no space.

it may not take up any data. if it is like the windows mobile one the map is installed on to the phone. could be wrong though

[marksman]

it may not take up any data. if it is like the windows mobile one the map is installed on to the phone. could be wrong though

You got him backwards. He wants to know how much space the maps will take up on the phone, as opposed to just downloading them on the fly.

I don't necessarily want a gig of maps on my phone al the time.

[MacMalv]

all sounds great, but how much do you think it will cost. I doubt TomTom will want to undercut there own product by only charging $10!?!

[senorFunkyPants]

it may not take up any data. if it is like the windows mobile one the map is installed on to the phone. could be wrong though
It should just be a reworked version of Tomtom Navigator for the PDA which is all installed on the hardware....the application itself is very small..a few MBs and The UK map for version 5 is 100mb...so it wouldn't take up too much space on the iphone.

[arkitect]

Just for interest sake: Anyone know what is the size of the TomTom maps database files?

I can see I'll be needing a 16GB iPhone… :D

EDIT: Nevermind, found some answers here… http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=5568168#post5568168

[matthutch]

It would be interesting to see how the Goggle Maps tracking, as shown in the keynote, would compare to something like this. Given TomTom have some what of a head start in the field :)

[JasonK]

Grrr...I had managed to convince myself that I didn't need to upgrade to the new iPhone even with it having GPS but the addition of Tomtom might be too much to resist!
Do you think that you would be able to have music playing and GPS/Tomtom running at the same time?

Yes, because the iphone can run multiple apps at the same time, "on top of each other" it will be doable. Looking forward to this feature!

[AdeFowler]

Assuming it all works as you'd expect and doesn't need gigabytes of storage, this is the kind of app that will make the iPhone a formidable platform in its own right. I was a little disappointed with the apps demoed yesterday but this would fly of the shelves.

[zen]

Grrr...I had managed to convince myself that I didn't need to upgrade to the new iPhone even with it having GPS but the addition of Tomtom might be too much to resist!
Do you think that you would be able to have music playing and GPS/Tomtom running at the same time?

Well that would be ideal - I'm sure a load of people have car kits and use their iPhone as an iPod through the stereo in their car. If you can have TomTom running at the same time, that's yet another device you can throw out!

[senorFunkyPants]

all sounds great, but how much do you think it will cost. I doubt TomTom will want to undercut there own product by only charging $10!?!

I doubt it will less than $100 for the application and maps...bear in mind that Tomtom want to buy teleatlas (their map provider) for near $3 billion!! so thats quite an investment.

[aswitcher]

Tom Tom if priced right and well featured will be a must buy for me.

[mtfield]

I doubt it will less than $100 for the application and maps...bear in mind that Tomtom want to buy teleatlas (their map provider) for near $3 billion!! so thats quite an investment.
$100 will price themselves wellllll out of most peoples range. I see it more in the $25 range.. around there you will have a lot more people who see it and think oh well this might be a handy thing one day and buy it for the hell of it. If it is up at $100 only people who absolutely need it will buy it, and that isn't a huge margin, because most of those people will already have a tomtomish device. they have to break into that, "well it would be cool to have, why not?" catagory

[Piarco]

Grrr...I had managed to convince myself that I didn't need to upgrade to the new iPhone even with it having GPS but the addition of Tomtom might be too much to resist!
Do you think that you would be able to have music playing and GPS/Tomtom running at the same time?

Yup - I've used Navigator on a couple of WM6 devices, and could do both, so I'd image it's a given with the new iPhone (particularly with background working now allowed)

all sounds great, but how much do you think it will cost. I doubt TomTom will want to undercut there own product by only charging $10!?!

It should be the same as the normal Navigator for S60 devices price:
£67/$99. Wonder if the Apps Store delivery method would make it even cheaper as these prices include a memory card.....

[Skyldig]

If the price is right this might actually be a good reason for me to buy the iPhone.
That being said, it stille depends on the price of the iPhone in Denmark, and the price of the TomTom software in general.

[Anuba]

Ugh... it's a good start, but TomTom and Garmin are tied for worst graphics in the business. Anything on TomTom looks like a home-made webpage from 1996, and Garmin graphics look like they were made by retarded children.

Navigon (also in Sony GPS devices) is the only manufacturer with tasteful graphics worthy of being presented on an iPhone screen, and they're also the only manufacturer with panorama view (full 3D view with mountains, valleys, bridges, tunnels etc) rather than flat-earth 3D. Wake me up when Navigon goes iPhone 3G...

Garmin:
http://www.garminnuvi350gps.com/images/garmin-nuvi-370-gps.jpg
(puke)


TomTom:
http://www.gpslodge.com/images/TomTomONENY2-thumb.jpg
(vomit)

Navigon:

http://www.navigon.com/media/000198163.jpg?lm=1204579320000

http://www.navigon.com/media/10837.jpg?lm=1204707087000

(yum)

[sneeks]

The Navigon display looks good but the usability is terrible in comparison to TT. I will gladly return top using TT if it is released on the iPhone. NavNgo mentioned they may release iPhone compatible sat nav software.

[needthephone]

Yes yes, why I just love GPS on the new iphone.

Will it have speaker so it can give you directions without watching it?

[Anuba]

The Navigon display looks good but the usability is terrible in comparison to TT. I will gladly return top using TT if it is released on the iPhone. Navigon mentioned they may release iPhone compatible sat nav software.
OK, well I'm using a Navigon 8110 and the usability is great as far as I'm concerned, but I guess the graphics may be a tad too pretty and detailed for the purpose.

I'd like to think that the Navigon guys are huge Apple fans, though. Their penchant for pretty graphics and their choices of casings and colors suggest that they are, anyway... it's like, black and white MacBook...

http://www.navigon.com/static/products/images/techdata_navigon2110.jpg

...or MacBook Pro...

http://www.slashgear.com/gallery/data_files/2/7/8/navigon-8110-02.jpg

Will it have speaker so it can give you directions without watching it?
Well the iPhone has a speakerphone option, but only when it's in the dock, I think... maybe the speaker needs to be in the iPhone mount accessory for the car...?

[Trent0341]

I was really hoping for (and still am) Garmin to release software via the apps store. I know they have a package for the BB. Either way I'll buy the TT software if Garmin doesn't come out with something. I really would like to see a nice window mount for it as well.

As far as price $100.00 seems to be the price point. Thats what both Garmin and TT seem to offer their software for.

[MacMalv]

i would not be prepared to pay $100 for this. If it was around $30 then maybe. I think i will stick with whatever google offers in the maps.

[yellow]

I have a TomTom and I like it, but my wife hates it.
Why?

Beyond it not telling her as much info as she would like, since it's manufactured by a European country (metric), in the US, everything is in yards.. which unless you're a (American) football player or a golfer, doesn't mean a whole lot. Not that most people could tell what 600 feet is, never mind 200 yards.

So, will they make a version that includes feet for the US? Or will it continue to be yards/meters?

Let's face it, this metric thing will never catch on.. :rolleyes: ;)

[m4rc]

$100 will price themselves wellllll out of most peoples range. I see it more in the $25 range.. around there you will have a lot more people who see it and think oh well this might be a handy thing one day and buy it for the hell of it. If it is up at $100 only people who absolutely need it will buy it, and that isn't a huge margin, because most of those people will already have a tomtomish device. they have to break into that, "well it would be cool to have, why not?" catagory


Doesn't matter if it is out of peoples price range, they certainly won't be selling it for $25 (£13) considering their cheapest option they currently have in the UK is £67 ($131 but I think it sells for $99 in the US) and that is just the software to install on a PDA.

Most people can't afford a Ferrari as they are wellllll out of their price range, doesn't mean Ferrari suddenly reduce the price to compete with Fords.

TomTom is hugely successful and people who need satnav have to pay that sort of money and often chose their products, they may not be the prettiest but they work very well.

I would love them to sell this for $25, but I can't see it happening.

[zen]

I have a TomTom and I like it, but my wife hates it.
Why?

Beyond it not telling her as much info as she would like, since it's manufactured by a European country (metric), in the US, everything is in yards.. which unless you're a (American) football player or a golfer, doesn't mean a whole lot. Not that most people could tell what 600 feet is, never mind 200 yards.

So, will they make a version that includes feet for the US? Or will it continue to be yards/meters?

Let's face it, this metric thing will never catch on.. :rolleyes: ;)
What the heck? You can switch a Tom Tom between metric and imperials measurement!

We use imperial when driving in the UK, and switch it to metric when driving in Europe.

[yellow]

What the heck? You can switch a Tom Tom between metric and imperials measurement!

Maybe mine's too cheap? It's the entry level version.
TomTom Go or TomTom One or something.

[Anuba]

I have a TomTom and I like it, but my wife hates it.
Why?

Beyond it not telling her as much info as she would like, since it's manufactured by a European country (metric), in the US, everything is in yards.. which unless you're a (American) football player or a golfer, doesn't mean a whole lot. Not that most people could tell what 600 feet is, never mind 200 yards.

So, will they make a version that includes feet for the US? Or will it continue to be yards/meters?

Let's face it, this metric thing will never catch on.. :rolleyes: ;)
Your wife can have the factory GPS in my VW Golf... the damn thing keeps switching back from English-metric to English-imperial every time I turn off the ignition, can't make the preferences stick. I can put up with it babbling about yards because a yard is roughly a meter, but miles are just greek to me.

Seriously though, surely the TomTom must have an option for metric / imperial... it's a been a staple of satnavs for ages, no matter in which country they're manufactured.

While I appreciate the difficulty in switching to another system, you gotta admit the metric system has its advantages, I mean... which system provides a better platform for calculations?

A)

10 mm = 1 cm
10 cm = 1 dm
10 dm = 1 m
1000 m = 1 km

B)

1 inch = 12 feet
3 feet = 1 yard
1760 yards = 1 mile

By the time the metric dude is done calculating the imperial dude is still scratching his head...

[robbieduncan]

particularly with background working now allowed

Background operation is still not allowed. What will be possible in September is background notifications from a server: the app is still not allowed to run in the background...

[yellow]

Yeah, I was joking about the metric system not catching on. ;)

[bstpierre]

Plus it will work when your on foot.

My TomTom is a cheaper model but it does not give directions suitable for foot traffic. I think that would be an upgrade to their current offerings (sidewalk maps ;) ). I read that Google Maps is working with public transportation to offer directions suitable for using public transportation. It includes steps like "walk to the bus stop at x and y" and gives the bus schedules. It is pretty cool. I wonder if TomTom will add that functionality. Although I think that voice navigation isn't necessary when on foot.

[Anuba]

Yeah, I was joking about the metric system not catching on. ;)
Well, it isn't catching on so technically you're not joking at all... ;)
And I feel ya... I live in Sweden where we use the metric system, but certain things are still measured in inches, like wheels, drums etc.

I know exactly what a 19" rim or a 20" kick drum is, but I get no mental image from "48 cm rims" despite having the metric system hammered in since childhood.

[bstpierre]

Maybe mine's too cheap? It's the entry level version.
TomTom Go or TomTom One or something.

I think mine is a One. It does US measurements.

[yellow]

I think mine is a One. It does US measurements.

In feet? Or yards?

Mine only has 2 choices, meters and yards.

[dr_lha]

all sounds great, but how much do you think it will cost. I doubt TomTom will want to undercut there own product by only charging $10!?!
Over $80-$100 would be my guess. The map data alone from TomTom costs around that much. Its certainly not going to be $10!

[zen]

Mine is a TomTom One (the cheapest and most basic model), which I bought in September last year. It can be switched from metric (metres, kilometres, etc) to imperial (feet, yards, miles). As well as changing the display, the voice switches as well.

Have you had a good look in your preferences screens?

[kornyboy]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

This is awesome. It makes me really want a new iPhone. Do you think that Garmin will follow suit also and possibly port their aviation software to the iPhone?

[yellow]

Have you had a good look in your preferences screens?

Of course.

yards/meters

That's all.

[m4rc]

In feet? Or yards?

Mine only has 2 choices, meters and yards.



Well there you go then! Might not have feet and inches but it has yards and miles. If you wife HAS to know how many feet until the next junction then just divide the number of yards by 3! I don't know of any that say how many feet until a turning, they all say yards or meters.

[zen]

Of course.

yards/meters

That's all.

Erm.... that's the setting. "Meters" will give you meters and kilometers. "Yards" will give you yards and miles.

The TomTom doesn't go any lower than a yard. If you're driving a car, feet isn't much use.

Do you want to TomTom to say "In 800 yards, turn left" or "In 2,400 feet, turn left"?

[yellow]

Well there you go then! Might not have feet and inches but it has yards and miles. If you wife HAS to know how many feet until the next junction then just divide the number of yards by 3! I don't know of any that say how many feet until a turning, they all say yards or meters.

You're not seriously suggesting basic math to me, are you?

We're well aware of how long a yard is. But in the US no one thinks in terms of yards. It doesn't bother me, but it bothers my wife. She would prefer feet, not yards.

Do you want to TomTom to say "In 800 yards, turn left" or "In 2,400 feet, turn left"?

No, that would be mile, half-mile, quarter of a mile, 500 feet, 100 feet, etc. And it's my wife that wants that, not me.



Just so we don't keep going on this, most other GPS systems sold in the US work in feet/mile. Not yard+.

[Anuba]

Do you want to TomTom to say "In 800 yards, turn left" or "In 2,400 feet, turn left"?
Heh... well GPS accuracy is within 3-10 feet so those numbers wouldn't make any sense anyway. And in the spirit of the woman who sued McDonalds for millions because her coffee was too hot, there'd probably be morons who would file lawsuits because they drove into a brick wall after the satnav instructed them to "turn left in 8 feet".

[iStefmac]

I didn't want GPS, but now that I'll have no choice but to be tracked everywhere I go just to own a 3G iPhone, at least Tom Tom makes the best navigation software.

[sk8mash]

So if you can load tomtom maps on to the iPhone, does that mean there would be no charge for using GPS if you dont have a data plan?

[LGipodtouch]

I have a 32Gig ipod touch and have been waiting for a accessory GPS module. It would be ideal for me if TOM TOM makes(or supports) a 3rd party GPS module that would work in the old iphone/ipod touch. Considering there are supposed to be 6 million iphones out there and I am sure LOTS of ipod touches I am sure that would be a huge market still.
Here's hoping.
Les

[X86BSD]

If you like second rate non innovated "old school" GPS. Seriously Garmin, and Tom Tom are trash compared to Dash. Go look at the Dash GPS units. Two way GPS is the future. Now if Dash would work on the iPhone I would say Woohoo! But porting the drivel from Garmin or any of the other GPS makers to the iPhone is just plain blah. Dash FTW!

X

[zen]

So if you can load tomtom maps on to the iPhone, does that mean there would be no charge for using GPS if you dont have a data plan?

GPS is GPS, so should be free, like with any sat nav.

[robbieduncan]

I have a 32Gig ipod touch and have been waiting for a accessory GPS module. It would be ideal for me if TOM TOM makes(or supports) a 3rd party GPS module that would work in the old iphone/ipod touch. Considering there are supposed to be 6 million iphones out there and I am sure LOTS of ipod touches I am sure that would be a huge market still.
Here's hoping.
Les

Which would communicate how? The iPod Touch does not have Bluetooth which a lot of aftermarket GPS solutions support and official SDK apps are not allowed to use the Dock Connector. Basically you are out of luck.

[sk8mash]

GPS is GPS, so should be free, like with any sat nav.

Yes, but if you were to use the maps one, it would have to download maps through 3G, thus costing me money.

[dalvin200]

this news is seriously promising, but i've used tomtom on a variety of nokia smartphones and the results have been shockingly poor to say the least..

lets hope their iphone software comes good and doesn't constantly crash (and eat up battery life too much)..

if it did come good, then i'll def upgrade my orig iPhone to 3G.. but then again, i may wait, as I feel some 3G features are missing and this new iPhone is just an interim solution...

[mags631]

But in the US no one thinks in terms of yards.

I don't think that's true, but I will grant you that few traffic signs use yards.

[DocNYz]

If you can't beat them, JOIN THEM. Here's a prime example.

ahah we'll see if hillary joins barak o' then if that's true


on a more important note, does anyone know if there will be any good iPhone car mounts coming up? also, will there be speech in this program so we don't have to take our eyes off the road (i.e. is there speech in some of the PDA versions of TomTom)? Currently I've attached my Belkin belt case to my sun visor which isn't really the safest idea, let along legal in DC/NY ...

Ugh... it's a good start, but TomTom and Garmin are tied for worst graphics in the business. Anything on TomTom looks like a home-made webpage from 1996, and Garmin graphics look like they were made by retarded children.

Navigon (also in Sony GPS devices) is the only manufacturer with tasteful graphics worthy of being presented on an iPhone screen, and they're also the only manufacturer with panorama view (full 3D view with mountains, valleys, bridges, tunnels etc) rather than flat-earth 3D. Wake me up when Navigon goes iPhone 3G...

Garmin:
http://www.garminnuvi350gps.com/images/garmin-nuvi-370-gps.jpg
(puke)


TomTom:
http://www.gpslodge.com/images/TomTomONENY2-thumb.jpg
(vomit)

Navigon:

http://www.navigon.com/media/000198163.jpg?lm=1204579320000

http://www.navigon.com/media/10837.jpg?lm=1204707087000

(yum)

Ignoring the pointless argument that the graphics simply look better, one clear benefit judging by these photos is that the speed limit is displayed in Navigon. Does anyone know if this exists in a current version of either TT or Garmin? My Garmin doesn't know that and I have to rely on my GTA IV-honed cop-searching skills via my own eyes to avoid getting pulled in radar-detector-free states (e.g. VA)


While I appreciate the difficulty in switching to another system, you gotta admit the metric system has its advantages, I mean... which system provides a better platform for calculations?

A)

10 mm = 1 cm
10 cm = 1 dm
10 dm = 1 m
1000 m = 1 km

B)

1 inch = 12 feet
3 feet = 1 yard
1760 yards = 1 mile

By the time the metric dude is done calculating the imperial dude is still scratching his head...

Clearly metric makes more sense, but here in America and in England, it's just a clear combination of stubbornness/tradition and the fact that it would be extremely hard/expensive to convert everything over - especially in the extended rural areas where people are using tools that are generations old and couldn't afford to go replace their entire garage. Same reasons England doesn't use the Euro ...

[DaBrain]

how much data is their nav going to take up?

The reason apple went with an assisted gps is to use the internet for the maps while using the gps for coordination. it takes up no space.

I have a Tom Tom one and the complete US and Canada Map loaded and its a little short of 1 Giga Byte.

[zen]

Ugh... it's a good start, but TomTom and Garmin are tied for worst graphics in the business. Anything on TomTom looks like a home-made webpage from 1996, and Garmin graphics look like they were made by retarded children.

Navigon (also in Sony GPS devices) is the only manufacturer with tasteful graphics worthy of being presented on an iPhone screen, and they're also the only manufacturer with panorama view (full 3D view with mountains, valleys, bridges, tunnels etc) rather than flat-earth 3D. Wake me up when Navigon goes iPhone 3G...

Garmin:
http://www.garminnuvi350gps.com/images/garmin-nuvi-370-gps.jpg
(puke)


TomTom:
http://www.gpslodge.com/images/TomTomONENY2-thumb.jpg
(vomit)

Navigon:

http://www.navigon.com/media/000198163.jpg?lm=1204579320000

http://www.navigon.com/media/10837.jpg?lm=1204707087000

(yum)
That's an interesting comparison, but the TomTom is infinately easier to follow than the Navigon. If you're driving (especially in an area you don't know, hence you are using satnav), readability and clarity are the number one concern.

The TomTom is readable at a glance. The Navigon may have smoother graphics, but they're not clear at all.

[stagi]

I would buy this if it was under $25, more than that and i will just use the built in assisted GPS.

[LGipodtouch]

Which would communicate how? The iPod Touch does not have Bluetooth which a lot of aftermarket GPS solutions support and official SDK apps are not allowed to use the Dock Connector. Basically you are out of luck.

There is on company looking into WiFi....I am hoping that is an option. Also I am sure if the demand is out there and a company as big as Tom Tom or garmin pushes they will be able to get access to the dock connector.

[alexboy45]

You got him backwards. He wants to know how much space the maps will take up on the phone, as opposed to just downloading them on the fly.

I don't necessarily want a gig of maps on my phone al the time.

sorry my bad. i have the latest map on my tomtom and it is 220mb ans the application is 11mb. this is on an Ipaq 2190. this is for the UK not the US. the full map of the usa and canada is 897mb. the UK map is very good and also has the speed of some of the roads

[dr_lha]

Ignoring the pointless argument that the graphics simply look better, one clear benefit judging by these photos is that the speed limit is displayed in Navigon. Does anyone know if this exists in a current version of either TT or Garmin?
My TomTom One 130 displays the speed limit when I'm on the freeway, not on local roads though. It also puts a red hue behind the speed when I'm going over the speed limit (which get redder the faster I go).

[Anuba]

Ignoring the pointless argument that the graphics simply look better, one clear benefit judging by these photos is that the speed limit is displayed in Navigon. Does anyone know if this exists in a current version of either TT or Garmin? My Garmin doesn't know that and I have to rely on my GTA IV-honed cop-searching skills via my own eyes to avoid getting pulled in radar-detector-free states (e.g. VA)
I know some of them show speed limits but only in certain places. It all comes down to who the map provider is. What impressed me about the Navigon 8110 is this: In my part of Sweden the maps in other nav units have often lagged 2-3 years behind (indicating recently built traffic circles as crossings etc, telling me to do a U-turn because it thinks I'm in the middle of a field etc). The Navigon is perfectly up to date. Particularly when it comes to speed limits. The normal speed limits in Sweden are 30, 50, 70, 90 and 110 km/h. But over the last year the authorities have experimented with 40 and 60 in half a dozen places around the country, my town being one of the guinea pigs, and I could hardly believe it when 40 and 60 popped up on the screen as I was driving past those signs, they've only been up for a few months and they're totally experimental, so... I'm impressed.

[ddTaylor]

$100 will price themselves wellllll out of most peoples range. I see it more in the $25 range.. around there you will have a lot more people who see it and think oh well this might be a handy thing one day and buy it for the hell of it. If it is up at $100 only people who absolutely need it will buy it, and that isn't a huge margin, because most of those people will already have a tomtomish device. they have to break into that, "well it would be cool to have, why not?" catagory

Are you serious? A map UPGRADE for my Nuvi 360 was $80 and I bought that from eBay at a discount! $100 for the application, MAP DATA and product support is a far bit better than $150 for an entry-level GPS without Text-To-Speech or BlueTooth et all...

D

[ddTaylor]

i would not be prepared to pay $100 for this. If it was around $30 then maybe. I think i will stick with whatever google offers in the maps.

You do realize the effort involved in getting all those up-to-date maps, right? They actually have HUNDREDS of people drive EVERY SINGLE ROAD in the coverage area with multi-thousand dollar time-corrected GPS and survey equipment - not to mention the application to use those maps. $30? That is unrealistic and frankly shows a lack of understanding in the GPS/assisted navigation market.

I mean no offense but there is ZERO chance you could get a detailed digital map of your local city for $30, let alone the entire country with POI and more.

God luck, though - with Google Maps, that is. They use TeleAtlas (I think) maps but the reason they are free is that Google PAID a fee to them for that service AND it is crippled in comparison to a stand alone GPS.

D

[ltcol266845]

having a TomTom myself, I am not going to buy this add-on. Google maps has been far more reliable and more sane. My TomTom (with the newest maps) has been giving me "short cuts" by sending me through residential neighborhoods just to save a corner on a major road. This in no way saves time, only increases time and driving through residential areas is assinine, especially when little children are running around (Yes I know there are routing options, none of them would negate these short cuts).

I am super excited to be able to use Google Maps with GPS. Doesn't have voice direction, sure. I don't care about that one bit. I ALWAYS have that off on my GPS. And I bet before long (maybe even before July 11th) Google might throw in voice direction into Google Maps.

[ddTaylor]

Let's face it, this metric thing will never catch on.. :rolleyes: ;)

I like your style! Nice post...thanks.

I wish Metric WOULD catch on! It sure would make teaching my 4-year old math a LOT easier.

I am old (relative to most on these forums) and I would like the switch. When I was in school they toyed with the idea of metric but by the time I was in high-school that experiment was through. Although in college we used metric for everything (at least in my science courses) and it made corresponding with others in different countries MUCH easier.

D

Off-topic, I know - but I could not help myself.

[ddTaylor]

Heh... well GPS accuracy is within 3-10 feet so those numbers wouldn't make any sense anyway. And in the spirit of the woman who sued McDonalds for millions because her coffee was too hot, there'd probably be morons who would file lawsuits because they drove into a brick wall after the satnav instructed them to "turn left in 8 feet".

I get a mental image of Michael from The Office driving into a lake because the GPS TOLD him to! That goes down as my favorite Office moment next to the new HR lady being told Kevin is slow - all the while Kevin thinking he can score with her becuase she shows such an interest in him.

Great show! Anyway - yes we live a litigious world so you may not be far off!

D

[gyumilly]

I have a 1st Gen iPhone. What I'm looking for is an external (bluetooth) GPS support. The new BT driver will hopefully enable some additional functionality of BT (e.g. BT stereo headset, BT keyboard, BT GPS, etc).

As far as the price of tomtom goes, based on my experience in windows mobile, most of GPS applications are priced between $90-$150 and people don't seem to mind paying for it. Google map is nice, but turn-by-turn signal is the real deal imo. I would consider if it's below $100, but above... eh.

[UMHurricanes34]

Have always been a Garmin fan over TomTom but this is what I was hoping for yesterday, just done slicker by Apple. That was the biggest let down to me.

I'll hold out hope that Garmin does this as well to compete but if not, TomTom will do just fine.

I'll definitely be buying this app for my iPhone 3G.

[ltcol266845]

Google map is nice, but turn-by-turn signal is the real deal imo. I would consider if it's below $100, but above... eh.

Is Google Maps not capable of doing turn-by-turn? Is it unreasonable to think they would support it before the iPhone 3G comes out?

[UMHurricanes34]

Is Google Maps not capable of doing turn-by-turn? Is it unreasonable to think they would support it before the iPhone 3G comes out?

There is no voice guidance, but who knows with Google, they may pull out an AppStore app that acts as a plugin for Maps that has a more GPS-esque streetview with an arrow and some voice guidance.


It would take a lot of resources though, so thats why I expect GPS manufacturers like Garmin, TomTom, etc to port their existing platforms to the iPhone. The iPhone is more technically capable to run their software than the devices they put on the streets anyway...some are ridiculously slow.


As for the speed limit detector, my Garmin 760 had that feature. Great GPS, got stolen along with the rest of my stuff though.

[thestaton]

how much data is their nav going to take up?

The reason apple went with an assisted gps is to use the internet for the maps while using the gps for coordination. it takes up no space.

1.7 gigs for north america.

[ltcol266845]

1.7 gigs for north america.

Most def. Had to buy a new SD card for the new maps. The smaller versions are likely not to include POIs.

[roddenshaw]

Clearly metric makes more sense, but here in America and in England, it's just a clear combination of stubbornness/tradition and the fact that it would be extremely hard/expensive to convert everything over - especially in the extended rural areas where people are using tools that are generations old and couldn't afford to go replace their entire garage. Same reasons England doesn't use the Euro ...

Not to go too far off topic, but there are far more complex reasons why the UK does not use the Euro. Given that we revolutionised our currency back in 1971 through decimalisation -which was almost as complex as moving over to the Euro would be - we can make huge changes if necessary, even though many may not like it...

[djrobsd]

So does this mean that the Google Maps or whatever software they include will not already have turn by turn driving directions? Why would we need to buy another piece of software?

[ltcol266845]

So does this mean that the Google Maps or whatever software they include will not already have turn by turn driving directions? Why would we need to buy another piece of software?

Well, according to Apple.com:


Get directions.
Get directions to wherever from wherever. View turn-by-turn directions or watch your progress with live GPS tracking.


Looks like Google Maps is capable of turn-by-turn directions. Wether or not that includes voice direction, we'll know soon enough I guess. If it doesn't that not a big deal for me at all.

[dr_lha]

So does this mean that the Google Maps or whatever software they include will not already have turn by turn driving directions? Why would we need to buy another piece of software?
All depends on how good Google Maps is for driving. If its anything like what we have now, its only useful if the passenger is reading the data. I certainly wouldn't want to rely on it while driving myself. TomTom have real time updating 3D displays showing the upcoming roads, and spoken commands (e.g. "In 200 yards, turn left, then turn right") which I'm guessing Google Maps doesn't do.

We'll see though, Google could easily beef up Google Maps to be a full in-car solution, but perhaps they don't want to tread on the toes of in-car GPS manufacturers too much. Its also possible their license with the map providers won't allow that sort of use.

[thingamajigidid]

Not sure if this has been posted (I've done a search)

Just read on engadget that TomTom already has navigation software to run on the iPhone:

That sound you hear is the not-yet-released nüvifone trembling in fear, as TomTom has just announced that an iPhone-ready version of its famed navigation software is practically ready to rock 'n roll. More specifically, a TomTom spokesman was quoted as saying that its "navigation system runs on the iPhone already," and he made the statement hot on the heels of the iPhone 3G announcement. Sadly, he wouldn't disclose an estimated release date for the software, but it's safe to say that the TomTom touch could make Apple's darling a formidable nüvifone opponent.

Link: http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/09/tomtom-already-has-iphone-navigation-software-ready-to-roll/

Thoughts?


sorry confused.
why would I want tom tom on my phone? its like having windows media player on my iphone next to my itunes to play the same my itunes.
I thought Google map was good, it tells you were you are.. it moves with you now with gps support!!! and it tells you were to go, what else do you need?
I am so sure after we see what googlemaps has instore we might not need tomtom. it might be part of the iphone already.

[robbieduncan]

sorry confused.
why would I want tom tom on my phone? its like having windows media player on my iphone next to my itunes to play the same my itunes.
I thought Google map was good, it tells you were you are.. it moves with you now with gps support!!! and it tells you were to go, what else do you need?
I am so sure after we see what googlemaps has instore we might not need tomtom. it might be part of the iphone already.

Can it tell me (vocally) where to go? Does it have lane-level instructions as well as turn level (for example my Tom Tom will tell me things like "in 1 mile keep left")? Does it tell me where the fixed speed cameras are (my Tom Tom does)?

[specops]

does anybody have any idea on if the GPS function will be free? or does it cost monthly? or pay as you go type? does anybody know?

[kdarling]

My comments and summaries:

GPS Cost: No mention of ATT charging for access to its server assistance as yet. As long as the aGPS is of the handset based type, it can operate without the assistance if need be.

Mistakes following GPS maps: already happens a lot. Trucks turning down roads with limited bridges. Many people turn up the wrong way on four-lane highways, because they simply followed the "turn left" instruction. Users need to be aware.

Navigation vs Google: Real navigation has a windshield view, optional voice instructions, and the ability to recalculate on the fly. Google's turn-by-turn instructions are just a list. My personal guess is that Google's contracts with their map providers prevent Google from doing a realtime navigation app.

Navigation app cost: As mentioned before, $100-$150 for the software and a country's database is the usual for PDAs and smartphones.

Navigation multitasking: My question still stands... what will happen if a call comes in while you're using a navigation program? Apple's rules say it must exit. That would make it rough to use, compared to other phones that continue the nav.

That said, O2 Germany is supposedly going to include TomTom 7 with the new HTC Diamond. Reports say TomTom is tired of piracy and would rather make OEM deals. Alas, Apple hasn't even let TomTom into the developer program yet.

[m4rc]

You're not seriously suggesting basic math to me, are you?

We're well aware of how long a yard is. But in the US no one thinks in terms of yards. It doesn't bother me, but it bothers my wife. She would prefer feet, not yards.



Just a light hearted comment, sorry that it offended you.

In the UK systems are even more mixed up, you are educated in one, we live by another, you get used to a satnav system telling you how many yards to the next turning even though we talk in feet or meters (usually a combination of the two!)


How about recording your own voice? You can do that in the UK so instead of saying how many yards it tells you to say, convert it to feet and yell that at the mic, that would do the trick. I THINK thats available on all of the TomTom range as you just record it on your computer and it packages it all up for you.

[m4rc]

sorry confused.
why would I want tom tom on my phone? its like having windows media player on my iphone next to my itunes to play the same my itunes.
I thought Google map was good, it tells you were you are.. it moves with you now with gps support!!! and it tells you were to go, what else do you need?
I am so sure after we see what googlemaps has instore we might not need tomtom. it might be part of the iphone already.

Maybe you haven't used a decent satnav system, as you would know that TomTom is nothing like Google maps. You get turn by turn directions, you get to see the road 'birds eye view' style, you get all the indicators around the screen (direction, current road name, next road name, distance to junction/feature. The two don't compare, maybe Google will enter the frame as a contender but for now, no challenge.

[dZp]

Don't all get too excited about this.
As posted by staff on Pocket GPS World:
And the official response from TomTom is:
We have made our software run on the iPhone as the reports have mentioned; it looks great and works very well. However there are currently no announcements yet, or a plan to create an announcement regarding navigation software for the iPhone. This means from our side there is no information on if or when this will be available.

[Diode]

1.7 gigs for north america.

Hmm maybe I will get a 16GB iPhone after all ...

[nbs2]

My TomTom is a cheaper model but it does not give directions suitable for foot traffic. I think that would be an upgrade to their current offerings (sidewalk maps ;) ). I read that Google Maps is working with public transportation to offer directions suitable for using public transportation. It includes steps like "walk to the bus stop at x and y" and gives the bus schedules. It is pretty cool. I wonder if TomTom will add that functionality. Although I think that voice navigation isn't necessary when on foot.

Clearly you haven't used the abomination that is Google Transit. It's fine if you are in a closed system, but if you have multiple providers, you need each and every one of them to be assimilated. As it stands, Google transit believes that the fastest way for me to get home in the evening is to take a bus, wait 5 hours, take a train, wait and hour, take a train. It has me getting home at 8 am. And, it always will unless all of my local transit options are hooked into the Google system (and the system overlaps different carriers).

Reports say TomTom is tired of piracy and would rather make OEM deals. Alas, Apple hasn't even let TomTom into the developer program yet.

Fair enough, but if the FairPlay wrapper is any good, that should alleviate TTs fears - at least a little. Maybe. Hopefully. Until someone cracks it and scares them off.

[wizard]

how much data is their nav going to take up?

The reason apple went with an assisted gps is to use the internet for the maps while using the gps for coordination. it takes up no space.

I'M guessing a couple of giga bytes. Not that I really know plus you have the reality of several possible different configurations or chart sets installed.

This is one reason the lack of a 32 gigabyte iPhone kinda disappointed me. I believe many people will burn up a good portion of their storages space before any iTunes songs are counted. I still haven't decided to spring for the new iPhone or not, it has just about everything I need except for the issue of storage.

Oh by the way I'm willing to by the software if it meets my needs. One item that it will need to support is the installation of map data prior to leaving the industrialized world. In other words the map data needs to be stored locally. This simply because relying on the web or cell connections just doesn't make sense in the wild. Directions as you drive wouldn't be bad either, but I seldom use GPS in a car.

Dave

[icecavern]

Just wondering if anyone has considered what will happen if you get a call while using TomTom? Since you can't have TomTom running in the background, how will it tell you about the upcoming turn as you drive along? Can't use Push as Push will have no idea where you are.

Pete

[TPALTony]

Background operation is still not allowed. What will be possible in September is background notifications from a server: the app is still not allowed to run in the background...

Actually, it doesn't matter. The question of running in the background has never applied to the iPod, which DOES run in the background. So if you've started playing your music, and then go into GPS, you should be able to do both.

The specific example given of the phone is still valid as well, because you can go to the home page while in a call and into any of the apps, so you should be able to go into your GPS app too. The phone call runs in the background, not the GPS app.

[DaBrain]

For those interested in this thread utilizing tom tom software you may want to read this article just released. It's disappointing. They say the devil is in the details so here ya go:


http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/06/11/iphone.sdk..gps.nav/

[OS X Dude]

This from Engdadget:

Apple's always been known for its amusingly-conservative disclaimers (you can't use iTunes to "design a nuclear weapon," for example) and it looks like the products-liability team at the Fruit has had their way with the iPhone SDK agreement as well, inserting a provision specifically prohibiting developers from creating apps "marketed for real time route guidance; automatic or autonomous control of vehicles, aircraft, or other mechanical devices; dispatch or fleet management; or emergency or life-saving purposes." Yep, that's right -- no real-time route guidance (or, uh, fleet management) allowed. That'd be a huge bummer -- except, of course, that TomTom has already come out and said that its app is ready to go on the iPhone. Assuming TomTom used the SDK and not the jailbreak toolchain, we'd bet that Apple is just covering its ass here and that it's worked out an agreement with TomTom to pass along any liability -- you can bet Steve doesn't want to get sued when iPhone users start careening into sandpiles and into oncoming trains. We'll see for sure when the App Store finally launches, though -- until then, it's all just cheap speculation.

Just thought i'd throw this in.

[bytethese]

We're well aware of how long a yard is. But in the US no one thinks in terms of yards. It doesn't bother me, but it bothers my wife. She would prefer feet, not yards.

"He's at the 120, the 90, the 60, the 30, touchdown!"

Just sounds weird to me not to use yards there. :)

[bytethese]

Just wondering if anyone has considered what will happen if you get a call while using TomTom? Since you can't have TomTom running in the background, how will it tell you about the upcoming turn as you drive along? Can't use Push as Push will have no idea where you are.

Pete

Just off the top of my head here...

It would operate probably like when you press the home button twice to control the iPod from Safari, etc. A little window might pop up and say "Incoming call from John Appleseed." with 2 buttons, Answer and Ignore. Then it may place a status bar on top like when you take a call but you hit the home button, the call is still active in the background, but you can do other things while taking the call.

[EglMtn]

This is one piece of software that I would be willing to pay a premium for. I was planning on purchasing a GPS device in August, but I would prefer to have it through the iPhone. Since it would save me several hundreds of dollars by not having to purchase an actual device I would be willing to pay $100 for the software.

[aswitcher]

For those interested in this thread utilizing tom tom software you may want to read this article just released. It's disappointing. They say the devil is in the details so here ya go:


http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/06/11/iphone.sdk..gps.nav/

Thats disappointing. I hope APple have something up their sleeve with Google. I would prefer to have the mature fully featured TomTom software than some early Apple version which probably will require a wireless connection for maps.

[jlanuez]

Google Maps doesn't have turn by turn directions (audio) as a traditional GPS. Wouldn't you want your iPhone to be ALL in one device.

You are correct! The current mapping where it does NOT have audio and you have to manually press a key for each new direction (turn), is useless while you are driving, espeically if you have used and like "real" (audio, auto turn-by-turn, re-routing, etc...) navigation systems in cars.

[kristoffer4]

Thats disappointing. I hope APple have something up their sleeve with Google. I would prefer to have the mature fully featured TomTom software than some early Apple version which probably will require a wireless connection for maps.
That sucks! Come on Apple quit being so like Microsoft. :(

[JimenyCriket88]

I cannot wait for the 3G iPhone to be released here in Australia, i am definitely getting the 16Gb version and the TomTom App when it is released, now all i'd like to know is what kind of plans vodafone will be offering that cover data usage for the iPhone. Anyone know?

[brandonb0013]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

I was wondering if it was an external feature. Can it be used on the iPod touch?

[baslotto]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

I was wondering if it was an external feature. Can it be used on the iPod touch?

Yes, it's already on the new white iPod Touch GPS.