Tomtom announces app for iPhone OS 3.0

[mvl]

Tomtom is in the process of announcing the iPhone 3G application at the WWDC keynote speech (thanks for the info, Tim).

They are also announcing on their home page.

 

[gatorguy]

Now that it's broken out, some of us became aware of it early last week. It came a a bit of a surprise since TomTom has flip-flopped more than once on their mobile plans. It's been almost exactly one year since TomTom said they had an Apple-compatible app ready and waiting.

 

[Vorlon]

TomTom & Iphone

Now that it's broken out, some of us became aware of it early last week. It came a a bit of a surprise since TomTom has flip-flopped more than once on their mobile plans. It's been almost exactly one year since TomTom said they had an Apple-compatible app ready and waiting.

HI Guys

Yep.... very cool that TomTom have done this, it will look great on the TomTom Mount

check out

TomTom for iPhone

Have Fun!

 

[Pedro2NR]

Cool, finally they have come out with this App.

Looks pretty nice.

 

[gatorguy]

It's too bad they couldn't roll something out earlier, but I know there were Apple-specific issues. Problem now is that there's quite a few other players competing for the same pot, at least 8 that I know of.

 

[ldivinag]

this thing better under $100...

or else... lol...

 

[mvl]

The WWDC presentation has been posted here. The tomtom's presentation starts at 1:21:50.

The app will include IQroutes, integration with Iphone contacts, portrait/landscape view, and maps available from a variety of countries. It sounded like Mandy in the demo, they didn't demo a TTS voice.

They will sell a separate active holder/mount. It rotates for windshield or dash, rotates for portrait or landscape, will have a loudspeaker / microphone, enable handsfree calling, and will transmit I-tunes to your car radio (probably via FM). Interesting that they didn't say directions over FM.

 

[gatorguy]

It won't offer TTS AFAIK.

Edit: I need to change this now to undetermined. Conflicting advice, but should be determined for certain quite quickly.

 

[farmecologist]

car kit

That app looks like it will be nice. However, is the GPS in the iPhone good enough to handle turn by turn? Many people seem to be skeptical about the sensitivity.

Also, did you notice the car kit? It looks nice. However, what if you have a 'permanent' case? It appears to only fit a non-cased iPhone. That would be a bummer...

 

[mvl]

The tomtom mount has a secondary more powerful GPS, that the tomtom app will use when docked.

More Details on TomTom for iPhone: Mount Has its Own GPS Chip

 

[Vorlon]

The tomtom mount has a secondary more powerful GPS, that the tomtom app will use when docked.

More Details on TomTom for iPhone: Mount Has its Own GPS Chip

Hmm I am never sure whats been announced and not announced with the Iphone. The base unit has a GPS built in due to the lighter GPS on the Iphone not being possibly strong enough all the time. The base unit itself looks great and I am sure it will be a big seller for TomTom. If you want to see something similar without the power plug on the side check out the XL ranges which is very similar, with the rotating lock on the sucking plate, and the spring catchment. ( remeber to unlock them instead of yanking them! )

Havf fun

 

[gatorguy]

MVL, I wouldn't be too sure it's more powerful, but the antenna arrangement will most certainly be improved over the iPhone (their's is not tuned for gps) and allow for better reception and more agressive lock. The suction mount is the same as the NA740's AFAIK, which is excellent.

 

[Pedro2NR]

Im glad that they will not depend on the iPhone's GPS. I know its not the greatest. Especially when I use apps like Loopt.

 

[gatorguy]

As I mentioned above, I don't think the dock chip will inherently be any better than the one included with the iPhone, which is a Hammerhead v2. As some probably know, even the original Hammerhead works quite well in some of the TomTom models (I think the XL and XL-S are two of the models). The bigger difference will be the antenna engineering. I won't bother with links to charts and signal reception geometries, but an antenna is not simply an antenna. Since the iPhone is primarily just that. . . a phone, it's antenna is tuned for better cellular reception, not gps satellite signals. Antenna design and engineering is a sought-after specialty. There's entire engineering departments dedicated to it at major phone mfgrs, gps companies, broadcast equipment suppliers, etc. That little detail can make all the difference when dealing with tree canopies and mid-town buildings and trying to maintain gps signal lock.

 

[KOTULCN]

does anyone know if this app will allow for data exchange over BT for Plus services?

 

[mvl]

This is interesting - a competitor of Tomtom has announced a subscription model for the iphone.

"Full navigation functionality can be purchased for $9.99 per month via subscription."

So it appears Apple is allowing a subscription model after all. This means a more traditional method of Tomtom subscription sales could be used for maps, and hopefully traffic.

 

[mikealder]

There is also an application from Sygic for the iPhone see Here but it only looks like its for the Aussy/ NZ market at the moment, when the app releases for Europe I might give this a try - Mike

 

[gatorguy]

And also Gokiva (did i spell that right? Mike?)

 

[mikealder]

And also Gokiva (did i spell that right? Mike?)

Looks fine to me, I just wonder how long TomTom are going to take to release their application, the longer it takes the larger the advantage to their competition in terms of first to market. Quite a few users of the Apple product will purchase the first true nav application that becomes available and then stick with it.

Having used Sygic/ McGuider on my PPC phones and its currently running in my cars built in system its a decent application so if the price is right for the UK maps when they come out I will be certainly considering it. What I won't accept is any off-board map supply or monthly charges, any application that wants to be taken seriously needs to be using maps stored on the device with no monthly charges for basic use - Mike

 

[mikealder]

Now then, look top left and see anything interesting:



Use A2DP Bluetooth for the audio output to my iO-Play kit and set the music playing before launching the Navigon application, I have yet to try it with the built in speaker as I see little point in not using whats available to me in my own vehicle:



Application splash screen is displayed for around 10 seconds before the application is loaded:



In use when driving quite good, GPS position is good and remember I am using a 3G iPhone not one of the newer devices, seems accurate when passing side roads or making turns.



Mike