TomTom and Navigon Bringing Turn-by-Turn GPS Car Navigation to iPhone

[headfuzz]

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?

a) iPhone OS 3.0 allows apps to run in the background so no it won't cancel your route
b) not sure what the law is where you are but here it's illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving, unless you are using a Bluetooth headset for calls or a fitted in car system. Pretty sure it's the same across the EU.
c) you should not be reading texts whilst driving at all.

 

[bigwig]

It won't be priced such that it steals sales of their physical units.

If they're shortsighted enough to price it like that, it won't sell. As has been repeatedly pointed out, standalone nav units are getting perilously close to the $100 price point, and the standlone units likely have significantly better GPS hardware than the iPhone because they aren't as constrained by size and power. Besides, software is so much more profitable than hardware that you can set a low price and still make a killing.

 

[kdarling]

a) iPhone OS 3.0 allows apps to run in the background so no it won't cancel your route

What? No. You've probably confused the notification process with background apps.

Unless Apple provides TomTom with some kind of special status, taking a call means the navigation stops until you restart it.

For that matter, notifications could be popping up and sounding off while you're driving.

You really have to wonder if anyone in power at Apple uses this stuff.

 

[DavoMrMac]

In the UK, I would expect to see this for £29.99 for the car mount and around £69 for the UK Map Software. So long as it does not go over the £100 mark they will pick up a lot of customers.

TomTom standalone devices can be picked up for under £100 now. I have even seen specials for around £70. So they need to take this into account.

Wouldn't it be awesome if they did something for £69 with dock and the application ($89). Now that would be good!

 

[Ori]

Just means that you need to sync to the same computer.

Not as I understand it.
If I authorise another computer with my itunes account then any purchases made on that account will happily download for free on that computer!?!

The limit is 5 computers?

Am I wrong here? The only block I see is if TT do some sort of activation that requires a connection to the internet, but so many apps don't do that so i am not sure why they would? Just a thought.

 

[Diode]

Many people have reported that iPhones also slowly discharge while plugged in and navigating. Perhaps this has changed.

That's mainly because they were using google maps which in addition to the GPS was using the 3G chip for data. A combo of the two was too much power. Since the maps will already be on the phone little data will be needed and the drain would be less.

Furthermore using an outside GPS chip would further reduce the power consumption and I could see no problem with a dock keeping up with the tomtom going.

 

[MacU]

Don't forget the free TomTom app

If they're shortsighted enough to price it like that, it won't sell. As has been repeatedly pointed out, standalone nav units are getting perilously close to the $100 price point, and the standlone units likely have significantly better GPS hardware than the iPhone because they aren't as constrained by size and power. Besides, software is so much more profitable than hardware that you can set a low price and still make a killing.

Totally agree,

There will also be the free app that will, I guess, compete with the other free Nav apps without turn by turn voice directions. If this app is anymore then $20-$30, will anyone buy it? I'm in the market for a GPS and there are several that are under $100. We're only paying for inexpensive software.

 

[FrogTastic]

Been looking forward to this for ages!

 

[gnasher729]

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?

You need _something_ to keep the iPhone in a position where you can see the display without being distracted while driving. You can't hold it, you can't put it on the dashboard and then go crazy when it drops down in the next curve, you need something to hold it nicely. Protection from direct sunlight would be good as well.

 

[bbotte]

I already have a kensington windshield mount for my 3G, I have to pull it off the mount and unplug the car charger and then the aux out cable from the headphone jack. This dock will eliminate me un-plugging cords and plugging in cords, and give me a better Nav while charging my phone.

Announce the freakin' price already!

 

[copydeskcat]

Does this have a built-in speaker?

I'm presuming the cable in the photos on their website is for charging via the 12v socket?

 

[tivoboy]

will be

I'm in, as long as the price isn't over $100.00 for the app and the mount.

it will be more than 100$ for the app and the mount, unless they totally crippled the mapping.

 

[Fizzoid]

it will be more than 100$ for the app and the mount, unless they totally crippled the mapping.

I expect so too, they'll be banking on the fact people won't want to carry 2 devices around with them (+ Apple Tax of course )

 

[tivoboy]

I expect so too, they'll be banking on the fact people won't want to carry 2 devices around with them (+ Apple Tax of course )

There is still a place for PND devices, since if you use the gps on the iphone (or any phone for that matter) constantly, you'll be lucky to get more than about 3-4 hours of life out of it.

 

[extremei5]

School is out, summer is here, it's time to travel!! I hope they don't keep us waiting to long for it to come out

 

[Bye Bye Baby]

What? No. You've probably confused the notification process with background apps.

Unless Apple provides TomTom with some kind of special status, taking a call means the navigation stops until you restart it.

For that matter, notifications could be popping up and sounding off while you're driving.

You really have to wonder if anyone in power at Apple uses this stuff.

I think you will find that apple's own apps can run in the background. So receive and sms and phone call would still work the same. I am sure that there will be something where you can listen to your call through a bluetooth headset.

 

[Lara F]

Yes, Apple apps work in the background but to get to them (ie. taking a call, or changing to a new album on the iPod) you'd have to leave TomTom. I do wonder how that's going to work.

 

[kas23]

Yes, Apple apps work in the background but to get to them (ie. taking a call, or changing to a new album on the iPod) you'd have to leave TomTom. I do wonder how that's going to work.

You'll have to simply exit out of TomTom. There's no other way around it since TomTom (or any other 3rd party app) cannot run in the background, unless they rigged it so it would push your directions (imagine that!).

I think you will find that apple's own apps can run in the background. So receive and sms and phone call would still work the same. I am sure that there will be something where you can listen to your call through a bluetooth headset.

Yes, Apple's own Apps can run in the background. However, suppose you are driving and you get a call. This incoming call will force quit your TomTom app. Once you answer the call, you will then be free to re-open TomTom and continue. But, there is no away around initially getting kicked-out of TomTom when a call comes in. As for SMS, I have never been using a 3rd party app while receiving a text, so I don't know.

 

[NightStorm]

Yes, Apple apps work in the background but to get to them (ie. taking a call, or changing to a new album on the iPod) you'd have to leave TomTom. I do wonder how that's going to work.

For iPod functionality, I believe 3.0 allows apps to access this information directly, so they could build an interface within the application that would allow you to perform iPod functions (change album, look through songs, etc) if they are so inclined.

 

[dumell]

Navigon turn-by-turn navigation now available

Looks like Navigon beat TomTom to the store: Navigon is now available but no signs of TomTom (in the App store in Finland at least). Navigon does not require any aditional hardware and costs 75 EUR - and this is "special introduction price".

 

[ABG]

Looks like Navigon beat TomTom to the store: Navigon is now available but no signs of TomTom (in the App store in Finland at least). Navigon does not require any aditional hardware and costs 75 EUR - and this is "special introduction price".

Thanks for the heads up.
£54.99 in the UK App store - price valid until 30th June.

Looks like the maps cover most (all?) of Europe, which is way more than I need.
I love the idea - but without extra hardware I'm not sure I'd trust my iPhone 3G to be loud enough by itself. Also £55 is lot to pay for software you've not seen working IMO - I'd want to see some for of demo version to know how well it would work on the iPhone.

 

[i2m]

With turn by turn functionality coming to the iPhone. I wonder how this is going to impact the other "navigation" apps.
I hope these vendors let other build on their functionality and open up theri platform.
The only difference/USP remaining for other LBS provider is the quality of theri POI, which is difficult to maintain.

 

[icemangrmed]

Has anyone tested it yet?

 

[VoR]

Personally I'd wait for igo8 over tomtom/navigon

 

[dumell]

Let's hope that tough competition in the App store will bring prices down. Perhaps this is why TomTom decided to bundle a physical thing with the app, to differentiate it from the competition and be able to stay out of any price wars between the other navigation apps.