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

I'll be very interested to see how the map data is loaded. In other words, will it be more like a standard GPS where the maps are downloaded onto the device at the time of install or will it behave similar to the Google Maps where data is pulled over WiFi, 3G, Edge as the data is needed? A combination of both? For International travelers who may normally turn off roaming, this could potentially have an impact.
 
Navigon

The price may also depend on what Navigon will charge for its app, which is supposed to be released by the end of this month. :eek:
 
jmmo20 said:
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..
Click to expand...

If you don't have the cradle there is no way to stop the iPhone from moving around in the car. TomTom's software probably uses the compass to help with the software.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7A341 Safari/528.16)

Watch they'll fool us all and put out for 20 bucks! :p I'm thinkin in the $65 range personally

Dan
 
I wonder how well it will work. I have TomTom One. Initially I really liked it. It works really well if all you need is directions to a destination. However, it is almost impossible to find a practical alternate route if the freeway is jammed or to pan, zoom in and out of the map. Besides, it has a bug. When asked for restaurants or banks etc. near destination or along route, it always returns results near the present location. I hope iPhone version is better.
 
I'm guessing the app itself will be cheap (say $9.99) but won't come with maps pre-loaded. You would then purchase maps as an in-app transaction for $40 - $50 each (the U.S. will probably be divided into 3 or more maps). This would solve the problem of TomTom having to offer a different version of their software for each region of the world. Much easier to buy one TomTom app from the app store, rather than sort through 15 or 20 versions of the TomTom app.

Just guessing...
 
According to a comment on youtube the car kit is a required accessory, it also appears so from the website http://iphone.tomtom.com

If that is the case I guess it's because the built in GPS isn't good enough, which is a shame.
 
duelingdragons said:
No way I would pay $80, that would be nuts.
It's straight up software...
Click to expand...

Its not just straight up software, there is a lot of effort that goes into updating the maps each year, new roads are built, street names change, new houses are built, etc...
 
peterja said:
According to a comment on youtube ...
Click to expand...

Sorry, that's where I had to stop reading. Nowhere on the website or during the presentation was their any mention of the car mount kit being required. It's just an iPhone dock mounted to a suction cup.

Youtube comment... sheesh.
 
Flowbee said:
Sorry, that's where I had to stop reading. Nowhere on the website or during the presentation was their any mention of the car mount kit being required. It's just an iPhone dock mounted to a suction cup.

Youtube comment... sheesh.
Click to expand...

No it is not, it has a larger GPS antenna on top of the suction cup. GO watch the Keynote again. IT is needed, look at Tom Tom's website. It says you need the app with maps AND the dock.

TomTom has made navigation available for your iPhone 3G. All you need is:

* the TomTom app including the latest maps
(coming soon to the iTunes App Store)
* the TomTom car kit that offers secure docking, enhanced GPS performance, clear voice instructions and hands-free calling, while charging your iPhone at the same time.

tomtom-iphone-app.gif


http://iphone.tomtom.com/

http://iphone.tomtom.com/announcement.html


The TomTom navigation application for iPhone will be available via the Apple iTunes App Store, following the release of Apple’s OS 3.0 operating system. Details regarding pricing and availability for both the application and the TomTom car kit for iPhone will be made available in advance of the products’ launch later this summer.
 
peterja said:
According to a comment on youtube the car kit is a required accessory, it also appears so from the website http://iphone.tomtom.com

If that is the case I guess it's because the built in GPS isn't good enough, which is a shame.
Click to expand...

Doesn't make sense. I imagine that the car kit would be extremely useful, but there's no reason I can think of that it would be required. The iPhone 3G GPS locks faster and just as accurately as any standalone unit I've used.
 
The kit is not going to be required.. Otherwise how will you use it for navigation while walking??
 
I see now that they got it from trustedreviews.com
"The implication is that the docking cradle is a required accessory, which is a bit of a bummer, but I'd want it anyway if I was getting the software so it's not so much of a drag."

I don't see a reason for Tomtom to require the cradle either, as long as it works.
 
bbotte said:
No it is not, it has a larger GPS antenna on top of the suction cup. GO watch the Keynote again. IT is needed, look at Tom Tom's website. It says you need the app with maps AND the dock.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I think you're falling for TomTom's marketing speak. "Enhanced GPS Performance" does not mean that there's a larger antenna near the suction cup. If the dock included a GPS antenna, they would surely say so explicitly.

I think the "Enhanced GPS Performance" comes from mounting your phone near the windshield, as opposed to putting it in your cup-holder.
 
Ok so if I get the kit, does it have a pass thru for my car control?

My stock car radio has built in ipod support, will it work with that?

I have Pioneer radio in a 2006 Scion XB.
 
Flowbee said:
I think the "Enhanced GPS Performance" comes from mounting your phone near the windshield, as opposed to putting it in your cup-holder.
Click to expand...

I suspect you're right.

Thinking about prices again, it hit me that another factor is the 30% Apple cut. TomTom used to sell their software directly from their website. Or they sold the app in mass numbers to a carrier for inclusion at the phone sale. But now Apple will want a share.
 
TomTom Navigator 6 cost me £90 for Symbian and was the same price for Windows Mobile. I see absolutely no reason why it would cost any less for the iPhone.

You'll have to work out how much that is in dollars for yourselves.
 
I watched the Tomtom part of the keynote again and he actually says "we have created an optional accessory" - so that's reassuring. It's just not so clearly expressed on their website.
He also says that it's not just a dock, it contains a loudspeaker a microphone and enhanced GPS reception.
 
One reason I could see the application and maps being less than for other phones/devices/etc. is because of the sheer size of the possible user base. What TomTom could lose on a per unit cost, they could make up for with volume.

Note: I am not, in any way, saying this is what will happen. Just that it is possible.
 
peterja said:
I watched the Tomtom part of the keynote again and he actually says "we have created an optional accessory" - so that's reassuring. It's just not so clearly expressed on their website.
He also says that it's not just a dock, it contains a loudspeaker a microphone and enhanced GPS reception.
Click to expand...

I'll still end up with the dock, but that is comforting.
 
I still don't think iPhone 3G GPS is capable of doing accurate turn-by-turn directions.

I always found iPhone GPS inadequate, but I am willing to wait and see what happens.

peterja said:
I watched the Tomtom part of the keynote again and he actually says "we have created an optional accessory" - so that's reassuring. It's just not so clearly expressed on their website.
He also says that it's not just a dock, it contains a loudspeaker a microphone and enhanced GPS reception.
Click to expand...
 
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