TomTom Developing GPS Module for iPhone?

MacRumors · Dec 12, 2007, 12:40 PM

Engadget posts a photo claiming to be an upcoming TomTom GPS module for the iPhone.

The poor quality image depicts a small add-on device which plugs into the bottom of the iPhone. Meanwhile, the screen shows a typical GPS view.

The validity of the photo itself is difficult to assess, however, its been rumored that select developers may already have access to Apple's upcoming SDK. It's conceivable that Apple has selected key hardware manufacturers to ready new iPhone accessories.

Article Link

tkidBOSTON · Dec 12, 2007, 12:44 PM

Love the idea.

I'm taking "GPS" of my xmas list until after the new year.

veneficuss · Dec 12, 2007, 12:45 PM

I was really hoping that Apple would partner up with Garmin because both are US companies and Garmin is the originator in GPS Navigation, but I believe Garmin is in contract with that Helio device. I don't know if that contract means they cannot develop for another product.

ShadowHunter · Dec 12, 2007, 12:45 PM

Looks fake to me. It looks kinda like the device plugged into the bottom is really just under the iPhone and sticking out some. The lower half of the phone looks slightly raised compared to the upper half to me.

Maybe I'm just nuts.

afd · Dec 12, 2007, 12:46 PM

Would not be surprised, although they could just use bluetooth like the kit they use for Palm, Symbian and Windows mobile.
Also I recall mention of RouteBuddy wishing to produce an iPhone version.
Hope someone makes one, I'd definately buy a GPS system for my iPhone

Yateball · Dec 12, 2007, 12:47 PM

This would be a spectacular add-on to the iphone.

What can't this thing do? Or rather, what isn't this thing capable of in the future?

I WANT IT IN CANADA!

Mudbug · Dec 12, 2007, 12:50 PM

If this actually exists, I see this as only the first of a whole bunch of add-on hardware accessories for the iPhone. It would be ever more full of awesomeness if it works with the iPod touch as well...

kingtj · Dec 12, 2007, 12:53 PM

Don't get me wrong. I'm happy to see any new hardware come out that might be of use to people.... But at the same time, I wish someone other than TomTom was building this for the iPhone.

Garmin would be a great choice, but hey - I'd be fine with Magellan, or even Lowrance, or Navigon.

The problem with TomTom is, they don't use Navteq map data on any of their devices. They use a competing supplier of map data, and they're not as accurate or up-to-date as Navteq's maps. (At least for those of us in the United States.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by veneficuss

I was really hoping that Apple would partner up with Garmin because both are US companies and Garmin is the originator in GPS Navigation, but I believe Garmin is in contract with that Helio device. I don't know if that contract means they cannot develop for another product.

operator207 · Dec 12, 2007, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afd

Would not be surprised, although they could just use bluetooth like the kit they use for Palm, Symbian and Windows mobile.

No data can travel on the iPhone's Bluetooth. I wish it could, or that they would enable it. Then I could use my tomtom 910 with my iPhone. Yes, I can use it for phone, but I would really like some traffic updates on it while out and about.

kornyboy · Dec 12, 2007, 12:56 PM

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/3B48b Safari/419.3)

This would be really cool if it is true. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

PharmD · Dec 12, 2007, 12:58 PM

I'd buy it.

ErikAndre · Dec 12, 2007, 01:02 PM

I'd buy it too...

Especially if AT&T lightened up a little on the monthly fees for it.

/dev/toaster · Dec 12, 2007, 01:03 PM

Maybe if someone else was reporting it, I would believe it.

coolbreeze · Dec 12, 2007, 01:03 PM

I can't even hear my speakerphone in the car.

How would I hear spoken directions?

Face it, the iPhone's speaker isn't loud enough. Great concept, though.

dogtanian · Dec 12, 2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veneficuss

I was really hoping that Apple would partner up with Garmin because both are US companies and Garmin is the originator in GPS Navigation

Huh?

I know Garmin is a US company but never heard of anything about them being the 'originator'.

Give me a TomTom anyday! TomTom is becoming the generic word for 'in-car GPS' in the UK. Plus Garmin are hated for the annoying christmas advert they currently have running

Anyone checked the photo up close yet?

plumbingandtech · Dec 12, 2007, 01:10 PM

Gimme!!

xfiftyfour · Dec 12, 2007, 01:11 PM

I've been wanting this for months! Hope it's true!

citi · Dec 12, 2007, 01:12 PM

I have never had a problem with Tom Tom Maps - and I haven't updated my nav for 2 years. Tom Tom has been solid for me and they really are one of the top selling units in the US.

ckurowic · Dec 12, 2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShadowHunter

Looks fake to me. It looks kinda like the device plugged into the bottom is really just under the iPhone and sticking out some. The lower half of the phone looks slightly raised compared to the upper half to me.

Maybe I'm just nuts.

Well, I don't know if you are not nuts :-p, but yeah it looks that way to me too. Its obviously up under the iPhone, you can tell its not connected to the port on the bottom.

djellison · Dec 12, 2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afd

although they could just use bluetooth

Not with the iPhone in its current state they couldn't

Doug

Object-X · Dec 12, 2007, 01:20 PM

It's a bad idea. GPS navigation is most useful while driving. The iPhone can be a difficult and dangerous device to use in the car (while driving); but in the car is where I use the thing the most. Apple needs to design an in-dash touchscreen device that syncs with your iPhone, but can be operated safely while driving.

It's only a matter of time before someone gets killed because they were trying to use Google maps or iTunes on their iPhone while driving.

Tazzy531 · Dec 12, 2007, 01:21 PM

Could they not also use BlueTooth to communicate with the iPhone? If that's the case, you wouldn't even need to plug in.

Marx55 · Dec 12, 2007, 01:22 PM

The GPS is so important that it should be built-in the iPhone; not just as an external add-on module!

MacTheSpoon · Dec 12, 2007, 01:22 PM

I hope this isn't fake - I love the iPhone's gorgeous screen and when I got my Garmin I was sad it wasn't up to the same spec.

gr8ful · Dec 12, 2007, 01:22 PM

If this device is real and if Tom Tom developed this with an advance copy of the SDK from Apple, it might be a good indicator that the next version of the iPhone will not have integrated GPS. Nice feature to have, but not one of the first things I'd want to see added.

Dec 12, 2007, 12:40 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	TomTom Developing GPS Module for iPhone? Engadget posts a photo claiming to be an upcoming TomTom GPS module for the iPhone. The poor quality image depicts a small add-on device which plugs into the bottom of the iPhone. Meanwhile, the screen shows a typical GPS view. The validity of the photo itself is difficult to assess, however, its been rumored that select developers may already have access to Apple's upcoming SDK. It's conceivable that Apple has selected key hardware manufacturers to ready new iPhone accessories. Article Link

Dec 12, 2007, 12:44 PM	#2
tkidBOSTON macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Hub of the Universe	Love the idea. I'm taking "GPS" of my xmas list until after the new year. __________________ Hi, My name is tkidBOSTON... Mother always said, "If you have nothing nice to say..." TK

Dec 12, 2007, 12:45 PM	#4
ShadowHunter macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Fresno	Looks fake to me. It looks kinda like the device plugged into the bottom is really just under the iPhone and sticking out some. The lower half of the phone looks slightly raised compared to the upper half to me. Maybe I'm just nuts. __________________ "The people who make fun of you for having a Mac are the same people who keep calling you to fix their Windows computer" - overheard on Usenet "Macs aren't perfect, but they sure look that way next to a PC" - solvs Join MacRumors.com - Team Folding, and be a part of the #1 Mac Folding team!

Dec 12, 2007, 12:47 PM	#6
Yateball macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2007	This would be a spectacular add-on to the iphone. What can't this thing do? Or rather, what isn't this thing capable of in the future? I WANT IT IN CANADA! __________________ iMac 20" Core 2 Duo (256mb Graphics Card & 2GB RAM Upgrades) Macbook Core 2 Duo iPod Video 5.5g 80gb (With iPod Linux) iPod Shuffle 1st gen (eww)

Dec 12, 2007, 12:50 PM	#7
Mudbug macrumors god Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Northwest Louisiana	If this actually exists, I see this as only the first of a whole bunch of add-on hardware accessories for the iPhone. It would be ever more full of awesomeness if it works with the iPod touch as well... __________________ happy thankschrismahanakwaanzicasmasgiving.

Dec 12, 2007, 12:45 PM	#3
veneficuss macrumors member Join Date: May 2006	I was really hoping that Apple would partner up with Garmin because both are US companies and Garmin is the originator in GPS Navigation, but I believe Garmin is in contract with that Helio device. I don't know if that contract means they cannot develop for another product.

Dec 12, 2007, 12:46 PM	#5
afd macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland	Would not be surprised, although they could just use bluetooth like the kit they use for Palm, Symbian and Windows mobile. Also I recall mention of RouteBuddy wishing to produce an iPhone version. Hope someone makes one, I'd definately buy a GPS system for my iPhone

Dec 12, 2007, 12:56 PM	#10
kornyboy macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Knoxville, TN (USA)	Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/3B48b Safari/419.3) This would be really cool if it is true. I guess we will just have to wait and see. __________________ Stuff

Dec 12, 2007, 12:58 PM	#11
PharmD macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA	I'd buy it. __________________ The Fullmetal Pharmacist

Dec 12, 2007, 01:02 PM	#12
ErikAndre macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida	I'd buy it too... Especially if AT&T lightened up a little on the monthly fees for it.

Dec 12, 2007, 01:03 PM	#13
/dev/toaster macrumors 65816 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA	Maybe if someone else was reporting it, I would believe it. __________________ http://www.jokeped.com http://www.linkped.com

Dec 12, 2007, 01:03 PM	#14
coolbreeze macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: PA	I can't even hear my speakerphone in the car. How would I hear spoken directions? Face it, the iPhone's speaker isn't loud enough. Great concept, though. __________________ rev.C Macbook Air 2.13 w/128GB SSD 24" ACD iPhone 3gs

Dec 12, 2007, 01:10 PM	#16
plumbingandtech macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2007	Gimme!!

Dec 12, 2007, 01:11 PM	#17
xfiftyfour macrumors 68030 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Clemson, SC	I've been wanting this for months! Hope it's true!

Dec 12, 2007, 01:12 PM	#18
citi macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Simi Valley, CA	I have never had a problem with Tom Tom Maps - and I haven't updated my nav for 2 years. Tom Tom has been solid for me and they really are one of the top selling units in the US. __________________ Citi Macbook Air 1.6 / Macbook Pro (15) 2.5 4gb ram / Mac Mini 1.5 core solo / ipod touch 2nd Gen 8gb

Dec 12, 2007, 01:20 PM	#21
Object-X macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2004	iCar It's a bad idea. GPS navigation is most useful while driving. The iPhone can be a difficult and dangerous device to use in the car (while driving); but in the car is where I use the thing the most. Apple needs to design an in-dash touchscreen device that syncs with your iPhone, but can be operated safely while driving. It's only a matter of time before someone gets killed because they were trying to use Google maps or iTunes on their iPhone while driving.

Dec 12, 2007, 01:21 PM	#22
Tazzy531 macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2007	Bluetooth? Could they not also use BlueTooth to communicate with the iPhone? If that's the case, you wouldn't even need to plug in.

Dec 12, 2007, 01:22 PM	#23
Marx55 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2005	The GPS is so important that it should be built-in the iPhone; not just as an external add-on module!

Dec 12, 2007, 01:22 PM	#24
MacTheSpoon macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2006	I hope this isn't fake - I love the iPhone's gorgeous screen and when I got my Garmin I was sad it wasn't up to the same spec.

Dec 12, 2007, 01:22 PM	#25
gr8ful macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2007	If this device is real and if Tom Tom developed this with an advance copy of the SDK from Apple, it might be a good indicator that the next version of the iPhone will not have integrated GPS. Nice feature to have, but not one of the first things I'd want to see added.

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