More Details on 'TomTom for iPhone' Emerge

[iphones4evry1]

Can I still play my iPod over my car stereo, and will the TomTom voice commands just interupt my music while it says "turn left" and then my music automatically resumes (like the intercoms in retail stores) ?

Considering I can go to BestBuy right now and buy a full GPS for $79.99, they are going to have to make this $79.99 or less, otherwise people are just going to buy a regular, full GPS for their cars instead.

If they add a monthly service fee of anything more than $4.99, then I am definitely not going to buy this. I can live with the Maps App that came on my phone.

 

[MRU]

I can't see this coming in any thing cheaper than €79 for the software alone and maybe €129 with the car mount / charger etc.

IF they offer full continuos map updates on that software, then I'll pay for the software, however if they expect me to pay €79 every year to update then forget it.

I haven't updated my TomTom One Europe, since buying it due to the expensive map updates, so little chance of me doing it on the iphone.....

 

[iluvgr8tdeals]

TomTom is the worst GPS software out there from my experience. Their guidances are pretty much useless here in California. They have the oldest map that is at least 10 years old I think. My house is 7 years old and TomTom does not have it on its map. The user interface looks nice but that's all there is to it.

Just wondering,

Have you upgraded your unit yet? 1 or 2 years old I can understand, but 7? Most people don't upgrade software. I used TomTom in Southern California (and Nevada) in February, and I can assure you that, due to its mapshare feature, I was able to avoid blocked roads that my associate's garmin couldn't. I understand that Garmin and TomTom has its fans, but I think your critique on TomTom is a bit harsh!

Having said that, I wish that TomTom would put out an app that shall be competitive with their (and competitors') stand-alone units. There are very many iPhone users with stand alone units already, and only careful marketing shall make most purchase the app.

 

[0098386]

Very nice!
We tried a bunch of Sat Navs a few years ago but settled on Tom Tom because, well, they're brilliant. We got the highest end model at the time (910?) and I hope to God this software works as well as that so we can leave the actual Tom Tom unit behind.

I hope theres an offline mode (sorry for not reading up on this, this is like the first time I've heard of a Tom Tom app) and that it supports the Europe map we bought for the 910.

 

[E.Lizardo]

If no tomtom can buy me a new stereo that is as good as my expencive Alpine hardware where the replacement has all the same features.

My guess is Tom Tom will turn down that deal.

 

[E.Lizardo]

I call shenanigans. This is total bull*****. Why do I need a CAR KIT with all these accessories? there's a GPS in the damn iphone already. and i don't need more crap coming out of the my cigar lighters in my car. the kensington charger/mount i have works just fine. ooooh a car speaker? no way! oh wait i've already got 6 speakers in my car, you nimrods. They need to just release the turn by turn app and sell for $25. they'd make a killing. Google Maps is what I'm sticking with, jerks.

Google the word"OPTIONAL"

 

[FoxHoundADAM]

Sadly, I think we all already know they will be charging way too much for this. They know iPhone users are a high end market and that they can charge a premium for it.

I hope I'm wrong.

 

[t0mat0]

Gone till September?

Does it seem like they're going to stretch it to either an iPod Touch separate announcement showing accessories, or link this all up to the iPod refresh in September? Annoying that the Touch could be capable of using the dock if they did it right as the maps are loaded via the app and the dock has the necessary GPS antenna (which it seems the iPhone uses in preference also).

 

[Hawkeye411]

Annoying that the Touch could be capable of using the dock if they did it right as the maps are loaded via the app and the dock has the necessary GPS antenna

Not sure why this would be "annoying" to you"??

Kudos to TomTom if they can figure out a way to sell their software and hardware to both iPhone and iPod Touch users.

I just wish they would release it already!!

Cheers.

 

[kdarling]

Sadly, I think we all already know they will be charging way too much for this. They know iPhone users are a high end market and that they can charge a premium for it.

Don't forget Apple's fingers are in the pie.

Apple wants 30% of the software revenue, which TomTom didn't have to deal with when they were selling software from their own website.

It would not be surprising if Apple wanted a cut of the hardware sales as well.

If Apple wasn't a choke point, I'd bet TomTom would've had their app out last year, and the mount would be usable by the old phone and touch as well.

 

[roiegat]

I have a feeling that with all the hype, it'll probably be cheaper to get a TomTom GPS standalone.

Personally, I think G-Map does a pretty good job and it's non-subscription. They recently raised the price from 25 dollars to 35 dollars since they introduced the voice turn-by-turn directions. I tested it over the fourth of july weekend by driving to NY and back to PA and G-Map did a great job.

I think AT&T's GPS software would be a little better if they gave you the option to buy a download of the maps. That way if your not in a 3G zone you can still have the maps ok. I don't mind paying to have it locally. G-Map is around one gig, and thats just for the east coast.

 

[nizmoz]

TomTom is the worst GPS software out there from my experience. Their guidances are pretty much useless here in California. They have the oldest map that is at least 10 years old I think. My house is 7 years old and TomTom does not have it on its map. The user interface looks nice but that's all there is to it.

TomTom's software is not that bad. Please. I switched from TT to a Garmin now and love the Garmin, but between the two they are pretty good and close to each other. While Garmin has more updated maps it seems, the TomTom never failed me and worked just fine.

 

[MacFly123]

Reality is a lot more complex than "one time price good and monthly fees bad".

NONE of the one time price iphone nav apps come with live traffic information and automatic live traffic re-routing --- both of these features are available on AT&T Navigator and Gokivo.

You can cancel your monthly subscription AT&T Navigator or Gokivo at any time --- subscribe for July and August for summer trips for $20 a year.

Well, for the most part Maps is enough for me since I don't own a car. But this Summer I'm going to travel abroad and need an app with offline maps since I don't want any roaming charges. Since I'm travelling for a month it would make a lot more sense to get a subscription for a month than buying a more expensive app.

Just because YOU don't need it doesn't mean it's stupid.

I am confident MOST people would highly prefer a one time price, which I think is why TomTom is leaning that way. Watch me be proven right as it becomes the number one sold nav app and basically all others switch to a one time cost model!

 

[optophobia]

Yes Mom.... Your right Mom .... Sorry Mom .... I'll try harder Mom ... LAMO

he was the one bitching about not being able to afford it. I just mentioned that we don't want to hear him bitching about it. Thats all.

Not really sure what LAMO means, obviously a Canadian thing. And no I am not a mom or your mom. Now get back to school little child.

 

[Tunnelrunner]

I think AT&T's GPS software would be a little better if they gave you the option to buy a download of the maps. That way if your not in a 3G zone you can still have the maps ok. I don't mind paying to have it locally. G-Map is around one gig, and thats just for the east coast.

One quick point: So far, in Chicago, IL and surrounding suburbs/counties, AT&T Navigator/Telenav has run fine on Edge, and even on roaming. I actually choose to run it on Edge (vs. 3G which I could easily do) to save battery life and have not had any data problems. I *did* have data/connection problems with Gokivo when I was in the heart of the city (the Loop).

 

[AbjectEvolution]

Is the normal map app for the iPhone 3GS supposed to re-orient on your direction as you move? I thought so, but the map app for the 3GS seems the exact same as the 3G. Wasn't there some updates to it?

 

[SooneratND]

Is the normal map app for the iPhone 3GS supposed to re-orient on your direction as you move? I thought so, but the map app for the 3GS seems the exact same as the 3G. Wasn't there some updates to it?

You have to tap the locate button a second time to switch it into the compass oriented mode. You can then tap it again to switch back.

 

[pmbooks]

Surprised nobody's mentioned the app, G-map, recently updated to include voice guidance. I've not used it yet so I can't say much about it. It will warrant a comparison, once the TomTom comes out.

edit: sorry, I did a thread search for the term and it didn't show the comment by roiegat.

 

[realeric]

TomTom is not that bad, but Garmin is better than TomTom from my experience. I'v used TomTom one, Mio, Garmin StreetPilot, Garmin nuvi, embedded navigation in Mercedes Benz, and TomTom Software installed in a PDA running Windows CE.

A. Hardware Performance and Usability:
Mercedes(embedded, 7") > Garmin nuvi(standalone, 4.3") > TomTom One(standalone, 3.5") > Garmin StreetPilot(standalone, 3.5") > Mio(standalone, 3.5") > PDA SmartPhone(3.5", TomTom navigation software)

B. Software Performance and Usability:
Mercedes > Garmin > TomTom(standalone) > Mio >...> TomTom(PDA software)

C. Performance/Price:
Garmin > TomTom(standalone) > Mio > Mercedes >...> TomTom(PDA software)

The Garmin nuvi 260W standalone navigation(refurb) is just $119.99 including tax and the latest map with free delivery services in the US.

 

[co.ag.2005]

... Personally, I think G-Map does a pretty good job and it's non-subscription. They recently raised the price from 25 dollars to 35 dollars since they introduced the voice turn-by-turn directions. I tested it over the fourth of july weekend by driving to NY and back to PA and G-Map did a great job...

I love G-Map. Got it back when it was $20 and now with the 3.0 TBT update, it's even better. If a person only needs half US (whole US), its only $35 ($70). Not bad considering the maps are stored on the phone, no subscription, and no need of cell signal to use. Frankly, I don't see the need for a Tom Tom app for myself when G-Map works well and will likely be cheaper. FWIW I use a Griffin WindowSeat for my iPhone 3G so this app (my iPhone) has a clear view to the sky!

 

[SooneratND]

What worries me most about the pictures of the holder is that it doesn't look adjustable as far as holding the phone. I really don't want to have to strip my case off every time I dock the thing with the holder.

 

[roiegat]

Does anyone know how the built in map app gets it traffic information? Since we don't have to pay for that app, does that mean there is some free way of getting traffic info? If there is, could other third-party apps like TomTom or G-map eventually use it in there apps?

It was funny over the fourth of july weekend my wife and I were going from NY-> PA and I was using my iphone with G-map to navigate and she would go in and check the traffic using the map app on her iphone.

 

[Kadman]

TomTom's software is not that bad. Please. I switched from TT to a Garmin now and love the Garmin, but between the two they are pretty good and close to each other. While Garmin has more updated maps it seems, the TomTom never failed me and worked just fine.

Yeah, this guy either isn't bright enough to know that it takes updates to find these types of changes or he's simply lying because he has a grudge. Given dwindling intelligence in society today I fear it's the former. I'm love my Garmin Nuvi 760, but I do respect the quality products that TomTom puts out.

 

[iluvgr8tdeals]

Sadly, I think we all already know they will be charging way too much for this. They know iPhone users are a high end market and that they can charge a premium for it.

I hope I'm wrong.

You are right! Most of the posts here (me included) are hoping for $20 to $100 for hardware + software, despite signs that show that the app + mount + software shall be over $100. (per annum, or if it is subscription, more than $10 a month)

I have noticed that, AT&T iPhone customers feel that, since they (we) plunk about $100 or more for the monthly cell-phone service, they should be able to get the rest of the services for free (seen the forums on charges for tethering? Most want it to be free, since they already pay for 'unlimited' data!) AT&T and Apple feel that, since iPhone customers pay $100 or more for cell-phone services alone, and pay more when purchasing apps, music, videos etc, they should be able to pay more for such a desired app (TomTom)

I hope that I am wrong, but I feel that I shall carry both my iPhone and stand-alone TomTom unit to avoid the $100 charge!

 

[iluvgr8tdeals]

TomTom is not that bad, but Garmin is better than TomTom from my experience. I'v used TomTom one, Mio, Garmin StreetPilot, Garmin nuvi, embedded navigation in Mercedes Benz, and TomTom Software installed in a PDA running Windows CE.

A. Hardware Performance and Usability:
Mercedes(embedded, 7") > Garmin nuvi(standalone, 4.3") > TomTom One(standalone, 3.5") > Garmin StreetPilot(standalone, 3.5") > Mio(standalone, 3.5") > PDA SmartPhone(3.5", TomTom navigation software)

B. Software Performance and Usability:
Mercedes > Garmin > TomTom(standalone) > Mio >...> TomTom(PDA software)

C. Performance/Price:
Garmin > TomTom(standalone) > Mio > Mercedes >...> TomTom(PDA software)

The Garmin nuvi 260W standalone navigation(refurb) is just $119.99 including tax and the latest map with free delivery services in the US.

I hope your post is not a premonition of bad things to come for the TomTom app, if its last place ranking in all your categories is anything to go by, LOL!