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Any word on the TomTom app (pricing structure, etc)

OrlandoTragic

OrlandoTragic

macrumors 68000
Original poster
I am REALLY hoping that its a flat rate purchase, even if its like $50.

I don't want to have to pay a monthly subscription fee for it... what do you guys think will happen?
 
what interests me if it will be absolutely essential to buy the craddle.. which I think it'd be excessive for my sporadic needs for a GPS unit..
 
ryvetted said:
It will suck if there's a subscription. I will pay $40 for a flat rate.
Click to expand...

I agree that a month-to-month subscription would be bad, but I wouldn't mind paying another $20 for each year's new map. Unlike a monthly subscription, I can chose to skip that if I wanted to.

Like, I'd buy it every 2 or 3 years once I feel there's a big enough change in local roads to justify it.

That would be fine with me.
 
I can't see any reason there would be a subscription. Physical GPS units don't have a subscription unless you're using real-time traffic. As long as all the maps are stored locally, there's nothing to subscribe to.
 
My prediction is it will be like $80 with some subset of maps and then other maps will cost extra.
 
Hi
I know this doesnt add much to the discssion but I contacted tomtom and they replied this morning:

"Dear Mr Chimpboy,

Thank you for contacting TomTom Customer Care
The reference number for your query is xxxxxx-xxxxxx.

We do not have specific details of the pricing of the software, however it will be released via the app store. Map costs will likely be similar too that of Navigator 7 but we currently have no specific details regarding costs. More information should be released in the coming weeks.

With Kind Regards

The TomTom Customer Care Team"
 
Then, I would just keep my new $150 4.3" Garmin nuvi and use it conveniently without map update for next 5 years.

$50 flat rate and/or subscription fee not worth the inconvenience.
 
Yeah, my guess is around $69.99 one time fee. No need for subscription. I can see them using the new in app purchase for map updates down the road. (no pun intended)
 
chimpboy74 said:
Map costs will likely be similar too that of Navigator 7 but we currently have no specific details regarding costs.
Click to expand...

Based on this, I went to TomTom's site and found a map for Brazil for the Navigator 7 for $119.99, for Western Europe for $89.99, and for Australia for $84.99.
 
chimpboy74 said:
Map costs will likely be similar too that of Navigator 7 but we currently have no specific details regarding costs.
Click to expand...

Thanks, this is helpful. I found this about Navigator 7's cost:

You can also download after paying £35 ($56) or get it on a microSD card for £90 ($146).

So an iPhone TomTom app will probably be in the $50 U.S. range, I would guess.

I'm having trouble finding reliable info on map prices for that software. Anyone else know?
 
None of their other devices have monthly subscriptions (as far as I know). So I'm sure they wouldn't do that. You might have to pay extra to download some maps. Also the car kit will be another additional purchase (which they said is optional). However, the car kit looks like a really nice dock with some good features that would be worth it anyways. I'm not sure I even need a GPS, but I'm sorta considering buying it for the docking. Though maybe i can find another good dock that also charges and connects to the radio...
 
So with the tomtom app, is it going to function correctly on the iPhone 3G as it would with the iPhone 3Gs or are we going to be out of luck?
 
My guess...expensive. And even more expensive if you want the dock/cradle system for the car. I would guess it will be the same price as their other products. For example, on Amazon the list price (not sale price) for Navigator 6 plus US maps...wait for it...$150. Hopefully, it won't cost quite that much!

Personally, I'd be willing to spend up to $100 for the software, maps and cradle combined.

Steve
 
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brianxstatic said:
So with the tomtom app, is it going to function correctly on the iPhone 3G as it would with the iPhone 3Gs or are we going to be out of luck?
Click to expand...

I'm wondering the same thing.
Does it require the hardware compass on the 3GS, or will it work fine on the 3G?
 
Steve1496 said:
My guess...expensive. And even more expensive if you want the dock/cradle system for the car. I would guess it will be the same price as their other products. For example, on Amazon the list price (not sale price) for Navigator 6 plus US maps...wait for it...$150. Hopefully, it won't cost quite that much!

Personally, I'd be willing to spend up to $100 for the software, maps and cradle combined.

Steve
Click to expand...


$100 sounds reasonable for the software+cradle.
 
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e.m. said:
I'm wondering the same thing.
Does it require the hardware compass on the 3GS, or will it work fine on the 3G?
Click to expand...

Should work fine on 3G. Most stand-alone devices don't have built-in compasses. They just use updated GPS feed data to figure out which direction you're moving in, as the 3G does in Google Maps.
 
My question is this.

Does anyone else's phone heat up when using the GPS for long stretches?

I was in Maryland, and lost, and I had my iPhone 3G hooked to the charger and using GPS.

After about 30 mins to an hour, my back was so hot, I immediately ripped the charger out and shut it off for an hour to cool.

I wonder if I will have the same issue and if it is only my phone that is broke.

I have used GPS other times, for not as long, and been fine, when not charging.

I also leave it on the charger over night, so long charge times is not the issue.

Only time it happened is when I did both.

I hope it was a fluke, because this TomTom thing sounds cool and I do not currently have a GPS of any kind in my truck.
 
I don't think it will be subscription. TomTom typically provides the software and maps at a one time flat rate, and while software updates to the GPS application are free, the quarterly map updates cost money. You can purchase a one year subscription for map updates and other things. I have a feeling it will continue to work this way on the iPhone.

They also nickel and dime for extras on their store, such as speed camera locations, traffic information, and certain POIs. I think TomTom will use the new 'in application' purchase feature for these extras.

Steve
 
gloss said:
Should work fine on 3G. Most stand-alone devices don't have built-in compasses. They just use updated GPS feed data to figure out which direction you're moving in, as the 3G does in Google Maps.
Click to expand...

Cool, that'll be great, as I am not "eligible" until Jan 2010 for the subsidized upgrade.
 
duelingdragons said:
No way I would pay $80, that would be nuts.
It's straight up software...
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Yes, it is software. The maps cost a fortune to produce. One of the major map maker companies was recently sold for several billion dollars. My own TomTom is getting a bit old, so I'll need to update the maps at some point; Great Britain = about £30, Western Europe = about £70. I think USA was split into five regions; each region about £40. Many people will only need the region where they are living. All these prices are for updates. You decide how often you need them.

But that's just for the mapping data. Do you think TomTom will release their software cheap or for free? They are doing very well selling their devices. They make a profit from the hardware itself, that goes away when you buy the iPhone software. They make an indecent profit when you buy accessories, like a car charger, something to attach it to the windscreen. That goes away (or the profit goes to Apple) if you buy the software.

TomTom wants to and needs to make money. Don't expect this to come for free or cheap.
 
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