TomTom for iPhone Appears in New Zealand App Store

[johnntd]

TT is the worst Nav System ever

I have used TT before and from my experiences, it has the worst
database for its map. Navigon is much better IMO

This is exactly the type of feedback that
companies like Tom Tom need to see to understand how their application is being received by potential customers.

I wouldn't be surprised if they actually lower their price in a few months after the initial wave of purchases come in and sales start to stagnate.

Currently I'm not seeing much with TT that is compelling compared to other budget GPS options like Navigon.

Both are severely limited right now with no TTS, no Traffic, etc.

About the only compelling feature for me that makes me consider TT over Navigon is that the TT has a better routing system with alternate routes, avoidance, etc, apparently being better. It also has route IQ which has historical date on which sections of routes are typically backed up at certain times of day.

Both are really limited though, especially when you can get a full blown standalone GPS unit with traffic, etc, for under $99.

 

[ddrueckhammer]

I have used TT before and from my experiences, it has the worst
database for its map. Navigon is much better IMO

You mean POIs? TomTom seems to have used newer maps/POIs and Navigon seems to have a broken search engine so TomTom is better in this regard.

 

[robindahlia789]

haha! wtf
almost 100 dollars for an app.

 

[drstan]

can someone who already uses TT for iphone explain how the speed(ing) camera and radar warner works?

can you set an acoustic alarm warning you, for example, 200 meters before the radar? or is there merely a symbol on the screen?

 

[Tiffy]

i am sure this has been mentioned as i did read some of this thread but not all 22 pages or whatever.

without flaming me if that is possible but i dont see the need for this myself?

my built in google map and mapquest work great and they are free. if i cant find a local business with either of them then i use around me or yellow pages apps which again are free and they open up google map app and show me where i am and how to get where i am going with real time tracking. i usually dont look at list view but simply follow my little blue dot that shows me where to go and moves as i move.

if im in the US traveling for work as i often am i have never been lost or not found what i am looking for.

besides a cool GUI why would i pay for something like this when that stuff navigates me for free?

thanks

Before buying Navigon, I used Google Maps also. It's true you can navigate with it, but :
- You need to constantly watch the map while you are driving, which is not really safe. With Navigon or TomTom, you just have to listen to the voice instructions. Watching the screen is only necessary at complex intersections.
- If you miss a turn, Navigon or TomTom automatically recalculates the route. With Google Maps, you have to do it manually (and it is far from being easy while driving)
- You can't avoid certain types of roads with Google Maps
- Google Maps needs a data connection. If for a reason or another the Iphone is unable to connect to internet, you get lost...
- One advantage of Google Maps : there is traffic info ! (not on Navigon or TomTom)

So, you are right, Google Maps can do almost everything Navigon or TomTom does, but it is a lot less safe and comfortable. And honestly, since I have Navigon, I have never used Google Maps anymore.

 

[Alex Duggan]

can someone who already uses TT for iphone explain how the speed(ing) camera and radar warner works?

can you set an acoustic alarm warning you, for example, 200 meters before the radar? or is there merely a symbol on the screen?

There's a acoustic alarm that sounds as you approach the camera - there doesn't appear to be a way however to set how far out this sounds or to even turn it off. It also appears as an icon on the map view.

 

[Caipa]

How do you guys rate Sygic? I've seen it being the third choice in a lot of places.

The thing is I live in Brazil and it is the only option in the app store. I was waiting for TT but we were left in the cold so, will Sygic try to dump me down a cliff constantly or is it functional? What are TT advantages over it?

Oh and a stand-alone TT unit costs 400-600 DOLLARS there's even one that costs 1000. I guess that explains why they don't want to sell the app for just 99 dollars here.

 

[peterdevries]

There's a acoustic alarm that sounds as you approach the camera - there doesn't appear to be a way however to set how far out this sounds or to even turn it off. It also appears as an icon on the map view.

Are you sure that it can´t be turned off? It would seem strange to me as it is illegal to use it in both The Netherlands and Germany. Actually even having the function on the iPhone entitles the German Police to confiscate the device and fine you.. Quite ridiculous, but that´s the way it is.

 

[TwoBytes]

anyone thing tomtom will add lane assist in a future update seeing as most other iphone nav apps have it?

 

[imac abuser]

My Review

Some of your posts were scaring me off of this app. I to was waiting on the edge of my seat for a real GPS app. I watched a You Tube review of it, and then said it looks good to me. I know they will come out with updates, and make it better.

So I tried it in on the drive to work today. And it worked really well just sitting on the seat not in a special window mount or anything. I even detoured, and it redirected me very well. I admit that it does need to say the street names. I think the voice is clear, and can be heard. It's visually pleasing app to use, and easy to work.

Downsides (besides street names) I can imagine the phone getting very hot, and that's not good for us folks with white 32gb 3gs' I don't want a jacked up looking case from heat. Also I would imagine it's a battery killer (thank god for the car charger) lol

I think this is very useful app for short trips, or when you don't have your primary gps handy. If I was going on a long road trip I would stick with my Garmin 765T. But I can imagine using this a lot around town.

 

[rotlex]

My Review

Some of your posts were scaring me off of this app. I to was waiting on the edge of my seat for a real GPS app. I watched a You Tube review of it, and then said it looks good to me. I know they will come out with updates, and make it better.

So I tried it in on the drive to work today. And it worked really well just sitting on the seat not in a special window mount or anything. I even detoured, and it redirected me very well. I admit that it does need to say the street names. I think the voice is clear, and can be heard. It's visually pleasing app to use, and easy to work.

Downsides (besides street names) I can imagine the phone getting very hot, and that's not good for us folks with white 32gb 3gs' I don't want a jacked up looking case from heat. Also I would imagine it's a battery killer (thank god for the car charger) lol

I think this is very useful app for short trips, or when you don't have your primary gps handy. If I was going on a long road trip I would stick with my Garmin 765T. But I can imagine using this a lot around town.

That's the problem. It might be a useful app for short trips, but it's carrying the price tag of a full blown GPS, without all the features, and without hardware! $50 would have been a great price, and MAYBE $100 with the mount kit. $99 for just the software, with no TTS even? Personally, Google Maps does all I need.....for free.

Shame though, as I WAS looking forward to this, but there is no way in hell I'm parting with that much money. More power to those that do, but this is simply ripping people off big time.

 

[igot2n0]

Day Late & $100 Short

I registered for email notification on the TomTom site regarding release of the GPS app. They finally hit my inbox. No word about the car adapter.

 

[fuzion11]

I already asked this before, but no one answered....

So anyways hopefully I'll hear back from someone this time.

I've read about safety camera switches or speed camera functions.

Can someone please tell me where if at all there is a safety camera switch to turn the function on/off?



Thanks for the help in advance guys and gals!

 

[freeny]

Used it today to visit a new doctor. Worked perfectly. Even took a little detour for breakfast and it updated my route accordingly.

Have never used a tomtom or gps before so i had no preconseptions. The lack of audio street names was not a problem but it would be nice if you had them.

 

[RxMac]

Finally received my email update this morning. It said be the first to get the app, or the LAST! Thanks for the up-to-the-second updates TT. Too bad I opted I just buy a stand-alone unit since this app lacks most of the functionality I like about GPS.

 

[peterdevries]

I already asked this before, but no one answered....

So anyways hopefully I'll hear back from someone this time.

I've read about safety camera switches or speed camera functions.

Can someone please tell me where if at all there is a safety camera switch to turn the function on/off?



Thanks for the help in advance guys and gals!

I sent TomTom an email (I haven´t downloaded the app yet) to ask exactly this, as the use of that function is illegal in Germany (a country I have to visit often for business). They replied that the function can be turned off, for exactly that reason. Of course I haven´t had the opportunity yet to test this.

 

[fuzion11]

I sent TomTom an email (I haven´t downloaded the app yet) to ask exactly this, as the use of that function is illegal in Germany (a country I have to visit often for business). They replied that the function can be turned off, for exactly that reason. Of course I haven´t had the opportunity yet to test this.

That's weird because I've gone through the entire app settings and can't find anything even close to that.

I purchased the Canadian/USA version though, not sure if that has anything to do with the fact I can't find it.

Anyone else want to join in on this?

Thanks for your reply though Peter

 

[jmpage2]

Traffic/speed camera functionality does not exist in US and Canadian versions. Hence the large lack of reply to the original concern about the ability to tweak this feature.

 

[virx]

Regarding iPhone app vs a standalone unit discussion - I have a one-year old Tom Tom standalone (for which I paid $150 back then) and then decided to buy Navigon app for backup. After I tested Navigon I sacked my Tot Tom for good. I just can not go back to a GPS without lane assist and/or reality view. Sure, there are stand alone devices with these features, but I would need to pay $$$ for them and I just do not see a need for another device. Also I was shocked to see that iPhone does not lose GPS signal in long tunnels (I-90 in Boston), Navigon's app tracked my location accurately and lane assist worked perfectly on an undeground road which opened a year ago. Lack of TTS in Navigon app is unfortunate though I sure hope they add it in an update.

 

[Kevinsunde]

You get what you pay for

I purchased the Nordic version. The default address for the local airport was obviously incorrect and TT took me in the opposite direction. It has almost no functionality when typing in addresses for it to navigate to in the search bar. The only way for it to go anywhere is to record the address as a contact, then request it to navigate to the contact. I don't have a standalone GPS but this version doesn't have any way of correcting errors (e.g. the airport). The Google maps version that came with the iPhone is just as good for navigation. Also: a car charger is absolutely essential if this is going to be used as a GPS.

 

[ilp]

Someone stands to make A LOT of money if they write a navigation app that works much like Google Maps, is NOT a full-blown, full-time navigation app, but is more friendly to following directions, detouring, giving me an update based on the current location, showing the rest of the route.

I have a TomTom ONE GPS and I stopped using it in favor of Google Maps on the iPhone. It provides all the essentials I need: pinpoints my location, from that location, provides directions (with live up-to-date POIs that are much higher quality than TomTom) and an estimated time of travel and distance. I can quickly look over the map and see what "a-ha, I just need to take these highways, and then I can zoom in on the final details when I get off the exit."

SO if there was software that, when I turned my iPhone back on, detected that, "hey, you are about to get off the exit, let me zoom in on the rest of this route," that would be nice.

 

[rotlex]

Someone stands to make A LOT of money if they write a navigation app that works much like Google Maps, is NOT a full-blown, full-time navigation app, but is more friendly to following directions, detouring, giving me an update based on the current location, showing the rest of the route.

I have a TomTom ONE GPS and I stopped using it in favor of Google Maps on the iPhone. It provides all the essentials I need: pinpoints my location, from that location, provides directions (with live up-to-date POIs that are much higher quality than TomTom) and an estimated time of travel and distance. I can quickly look over the map and see what "a-ha, I just need to take these highways, and then I can zoom in on the final details when I get off the exit."

SO if there was software that, when I turned my iPhone back on, detected that, "hey, you are about to get off the exit, let me zoom in on the rest of this route," that would be nice.

Funny, but this is exactly how I feel about all this now. None of these new apps really do anything more for me than Google maps does. Sure, there is no voice telling you when to turn, but in general, I've gotten around the country, and cities, for years by doing nothing more than printing off the directions from Mapquest.

While I would really like some of the features of TomTom, or Navigon, I just don't see them doing all that much more than Google for me. Honestly, with Google maps, I get directions, easily finding a local motel 6 on the way by just typing "motel 6". Tell it to get me there from my current location, and it's done. If needed, I can look at the list view, and know offhand what roads I'm looking for.

Does anyone really need anything more than that; especially for close to, and exceeding $100? Again, I'd love to buy one of these, but man, the price is just ridiculous for what you are actually getting. It's not the amount, or lack of having the funds, it's just the whole point of it.

I also agree that if someone just took an app like Google maps to the next level, adding only a few small features, and sold it for $19.99, they would make a fortune.

 

[natasha69]

That's weird because I've gone through the entire app settings and can't find anything even close to that.

I purchased the Canadian/USA version though, not sure if that has anything to do with the fact I can't find it.

Anyone else want to join in on this?

Thanks for your reply though Peter

if you read the faq on tomtom's website, it indicates the speed camera ability is in the UK version. says nothing about the other versions.

 

[kugino]

How do you guys rate Sygic? I've seen it being the third choice in a lot of places.

The thing is I live in Brazil and it is the only option in the app store. I was waiting for TT but we were left in the cold so, will Sygic try to dump me down a cliff constantly or is it functional? What are TT advantages over it?

Oh and a stand-alone TT unit costs 400-600 DOLLARS there's even one that costs 1000. I guess that explains why they don't want to sell the app for just 99 dollars here.

i used the australia/nz sygic while there last month. it's perfectly functional and will get you to your destination. there were a few quirks, though, and the copilot app i just downloaded is much better than sygic so far.

the things i didnt like about sygic:
- slow to get gps signal. sometimes took a few minutes. i didn't have data access, though, and i think it finds a gps signal much faster if you have 3G or some data network.
- lagged a lot when full gps signal not achieved. sometimes we were already past our turn when it caught up and told us to turn.
- it doesn't have iphone-like touch controls. can't pinch the map smaller/bigger and can't finger-scroll through the various lists of POIs and other menus
- the menus are awful. when you want to go pack to a previous page it takes you to the map and you have to start from the beginning. happens on a number of pages, which is a terrible way to go through the various menus.

that being said, sygic does have a nice and clear map interface. the directions are clear and when you're in the city, it gives you a lot of info like lane assist and even calls by name (or number) the exit you should be taking. not true TTS, but partial. it does perfectly fine as a GPS and will get you to your destination, but it needs a bit more work to be considered as good as some of the other offerings out there. hope this helps.

 

[jmpage2]

Someone stands to make A LOT of money if they write a navigation app that works much like Google Maps, is NOT a full-blown, full-time navigation app, but is more friendly to following directions, detouring, giving me an update based on the current location, showing the rest of the route.

I have a TomTom ONE GPS and I stopped using it in favor of Google Maps on the iPhone. It provides all the essentials I need: pinpoints my location, from that location, provides directions (with live up-to-date POIs that are much higher quality than TomTom) and an estimated time of travel and distance. I can quickly look over the map and see what "a-ha, I just need to take these highways, and then I can zoom in on the final details when I get off the exit."

SO if there was software that, when I turned my iPhone back on, detected that, "hey, you are about to get off the exit, let me zoom in on the rest of this route," that would be nice.

Google Maps is terribly fitted out to be used in any kind of actual navigation capability for things other than walking around in an unfamiliar city or finding a nearby restaurant or location while PARKED.

For grins I tried to use Google Maps at the same time I was using my Garmin navigation.

The differences are so obvious it's almost hysterically funny to hear people going on and on about how Google Maps is all they need for full blown navigation in their car.

1. Google Maps is SLOW. SLOW! Didn't hear that? Slow! Guess what? You need something FAST for turn by turn directions in a busy city with traffic rushing all around.

2. Google Maps has no turn by turn guidance. I'm pretty appalled that people are actually staring at the tiny screen of Google Maps when what they should actually be doing is DRIVING THEIR CAR.

3. Google Maps has a terrible screen layout for navigation. See above.

4. Google Maps requires a very high quality connection to keep the map updated. I've driven though major metro areas with great 3G coverage and seen Google Maps lose signal, and take up to 2 minutes to reload portions of the map.

You Google Map fans can have it. A real application or a real GPS doesn't cost that much, for anyone other than a total nickel and dime pinching cheap skate anyways.