More Details on TomTom for iPhone: Mount Has its Own GPS Chip (Wednesday June 10, 2009)
http://gps.about.com/b/2009/06/10/more-details-on-tomtom-for-iphone-mount-has-its-own-gps-chip.htm
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TomTom and Navigon Bringing Turn-by-Turn GPS Car Navigation to iPhone
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http://gps.about.com/b/2009/06/10/more-details-on-tomtom-for-iphone-mount-has-its-own-gps-chip.htm
TomTom finally on the iPhone, happy days. 
I could finally get shot of my Xda Orbit, which is only retained for the fact it's got TomTom Navigator installed on it. Takes a bloody age to lock on though. Google Maps on my iPhone locks on WAAAAAAAAAY faster than Google Maps on my Orbit.
That said, it had better be the same deal with locally stored maps rather than some crap subscription / streaming download solution as I think some people have suggested.
The whole point of shelling out for a satnav app is NOT having to fork out extortionate roaming data charges for map download while abroad. I got burned using Google Maps to wander around Hamburg 2 years ago. £300 later I vowed never to use Google Maps (or any other over the air download map service) abroad ever again.
EDIT: just read dZp's post above, which allays my fears. Thank you sir (or madam!)
I could finally get shot of my Xda Orbit, which is only retained for the fact it's got TomTom Navigator installed on it. Takes a bloody age to lock on though. Google Maps on my iPhone locks on WAAAAAAAAAY faster than Google Maps on my Orbit.
That said, it had better be the same deal with locally stored maps rather than some crap subscription / streaming download solution as I think some people have suggested.
The whole point of shelling out for a satnav app is NOT having to fork out extortionate roaming data charges for map download while abroad. I got burned using Google Maps to wander around Hamburg 2 years ago. £300 later I vowed never to use Google Maps (or any other over the air download map service) abroad ever again.
EDIT: just read dZp's post above, which allays my fears. Thank you sir (or madam!)
I expect a hefty price tag for the mount then. I did think the talk of $19.99 was rather optimistic. Probably looking at around the £50+ mark although being in the UK I won't expect much change from £100
I reckon the app will be priced in line with Windows Mobile download version, but yeah they'll probably put a hefty tax on the dock I expect.
BLU TAK FTW!!!
Having some Tech. in the mount is really neat and makes me want to have it more. But knowing that the price can't undercut the price of their low end stand alone can it? They've got to keep their profit margins up don't they?
Anyone know if this is going to use TomTom Home application on your computer? How else would you build convoluted routes? TomTom Home finally got stable.
Wonder what Garmin is going to do?
As someone else pointed out, the cool thing about the mount having GPS built-in, is that perhaps the original iPhone and/or the iPod touch can work with it.
If so, TomTom has one heckuva neat addon.
If so, TomTom has one heckuva neat addon.
I'm pretty sure they would have announced it in the keynote if that was the case.
But the fact they've specified on their website an iPhone 3G as a requirement, Pretty much scuppers 1st gen iPhone owners and iPod Touch users I reckon. But I could be wrong.
YMMV (see what I did there?
)
The chip inside the dock excites me. AT&T in my area is great on highways I don't get lost on highways. I am a service tech and would love this app. as long as it works. I'm not gonna be the first in line thats for sure. I would hope they try to keep the price below $150 for the kit + software but who knows. or
I don't get lost on highways. I am a service tech and would love this app. as long as it works. I'm not gonna be the first in line thats for sure. I would hope they try to keep the price below $150 for the kit + software but who knows. or 
So if it has it's own GPS chip and antenna inside the dock, I can't see any reason as to why TomTom couldn't get this to work for iPhone 2G and iPod touch owners. The biggest roadblock is most likely Apple (hate to say it), as they want to move those newly out-of-contract 2G owners into 3G or 3G S phones.
I think it quite odd that iPod touch users won't be able to use this app. That's a HUGE user base that is going untapped here. Of course, the September refresh of the iPod line-up is drawing closer, so I wouldn't be surprised if the iPod touch 3G (3rd Gen) gains this availability. But what, if anything, could they (or have to) add for this GPS solution by TomTom work with the upcoming iPod touch?
(I'm holding out hope that the use of this app/dock with an iPod touch is something that does happen, as I have been wanting to get a GPS unit, but this would be so much simpler in the long run.)
I think it quite odd that iPod touch users won't be able to use this app. That's a HUGE user base that is going untapped here. Of course, the September refresh of the iPod line-up is drawing closer, so I wouldn't be surprised if the iPod touch 3G (3rd Gen) gains this availability. But what, if anything, could they (or have to) add for this GPS solution by TomTom work with the upcoming iPod touch?
(I'm holding out hope that the use of this app/dock with an iPod touch is something that does happen, as I have been wanting to get a GPS unit, but this would be so much simpler in the long run.)
It cannot be just an antenna, as the antenna in the mount would not be able to transfer that raw, analog and very low power signal over to the chip inside the phone. Either plastic only or full chip and antenna together so that it only needs to send processed digital data over to the phone. The posted message about the interview suggests that it is the latter.
In any case, I would not shell out for another chip until I see how well the built-in one works. If it is not cutting it, then I would use the iPhone version for quick instructions, but I think I would get a stand-alone unit for planned in advance out-of-town trips.
And that's unfortunate. It's as if they're saying, "hey, early adopters of our first phone, we don't care anymore." Also, what about those that buy the iPod touch, with no intention of using an iPhone for various reasons (carrier, mostly)? I think Apple should allow the iPhone 2G and iPod touch users to access this app/dock. Surely TomTom would want more potential users?
If you have to buy an expensive dock to put the iPhone in is that really much more convenient than buying a stand alone unit?
Lethal
Lethal
Nah
I think Andrew K. is right, my understanding that the mount merely doubles as a charger, but besides that it doesn't really add any other tech features.
w00master
The charger might be required to use Turn-by-Turn GPS/Nav for anything more than short trips, as it's a rather power hungry process. The Palm Pre uses more power during that process than the charger is even able to provide, and the battery will continue to drain, though much more slowly, when plugged in during GPS/Nav. I would assume that an Apple device would be better thought-out than that, but a charger-with-use might still be expected by TomTom to maintain a charge.
But the fact they've specified on their website an iPhone 3G as a requirement, Pretty much scuppers 1st gen iPhone owners and iPod Touch users I reckon. But I could be wrong.
YMMV (see what I did there?
Yes
Very well done, too. I agree with everyone else... I betcha Apple doesn't want anyone to know that they could use their old phone or touch with TomTom. This could be interesting.
Nope, don't need it. The ATT monthly nav service is for renting a constantly updated app that runs on other phones and uses assistance from ATT's servers. Good if you only need it for a short time, or don't feel like carrying an extra device.
It is if the phone did anything extra cool, as Garmin's Nuvi phone will. Like hitting one button and transfering your position or destination to your wife's Nuvi. Unfortunately, Apple's sandboxes might get in the way, unless TomTom implemented it.
Many people have reported that iPhones also slowly discharge while plugged in and navigating. Perhaps this has changed.
I guess if both iPhones were synced to the same user account and therefore the same iTunes account there'd be no issue, but otherwise I don't think it'd work.
TomTom could possibly require an online / over the air activation to lock the app to one particular iPhone...
Either way, it will be mine
I love the idea, but.....
What if you get a call?
What if you get a text?
I just think that because multitasking isn't fully utilized on the iphone. Will "quiting" your tomtom to go answer a phone call or text ruin your tom tom and you have re-input the data?
What if you get a call?
What if you get a text?
I just think that because multitasking isn't fully utilized on the iphone. Will "quiting" your tomtom to go answer a phone call or text ruin your tom tom and you have re-input the data?