Video: Apple partners with TomTom to bring "real" navigation to iPhone

This one sure took awhile to go from rumor to real, but at long last, authentic TomTom navigation has arrived on the iPhone. 'Course, we would've personally preferred the Garmin touch, but at this point, we can't really find it in our hearts to kvetch. The app shown at WWDC today was surprisingly slick, and while the robot voice didn't exactly get our juices flowing, the currently unpriced TomTom car kit is definitely a boon for those looking to avoid standalone PNDs. Apple has informed us that the application will surface "this summer," though it didn't mention a price; in other words, we can't imagine this being cheap. You think TomTom wants a $19 app undercutting its $300 navigation systems? Doubtful. Video of the new setup is after the break.

Gallery: Apple / TomTom official navigation shots

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Gallery: Apple partners with TomTom to bring "real" navigation to iPhone

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TomTom demonstrates the world's first dedicated in-car navigation solution for iPhone at WWDC

TomTom develops turn-by-turn navigation application and new car kit for the iPhone

Peter-Frans Pauwels, TomTom's co-founder and CTO, demonstrated TomTom's navigation software in combination with a specially designed car kit on the iPhone- during Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco on June 8th, 2009.

The TomTom solution combines two new TomTom products to provide users with state of the art in-car navigation on their iPhone 3G:

• The TomTom navigation application for iPhone; an Apple version of TomTom's award-winning turn-by-turn navigation software, including IQ Routes and latest maps from Tele Atlas;
• The TomTom car kit for iPhone; a specially developed car kit for secure docking, enhanced GPS performance, clear voice instructions, hands-free calling and in-car charging.
  

The TomTom navigation application for iPhone will be available via the Apple iTunes App Store, following the release of Apple's OS 3.0 operating system. Details regarding pricing and availability for both the application and the TomTom car kit for iPhone will be made available in advance of the products' launch later this summer.

[Puggs @ Jun 8th 2009 2:28PM]

At what price? to make this worth while you will need the dock and I sure that will be costly!

I will but it though!

[AJ @ Jun 8th 2009 3:12PM]

You don't have to buy this particular dock. I'm going to stick with my DLO VentMount, as I'm sure a lot of other people will.

[Phenoum @ Jun 8th 2009 4:02PM]

What's that? no plug about Sprint including it's turn-by-turn for free with the Pre?

and yet EVERY SINGLE PRE post has a little 'apple plug' at the end of it.....

Pre wins with the free turn by turn through Sprint.

[Izzy @ Jun 10th 2009 8:55AM]

Sprint sucks (as bad as AT&T) and its phones can't be used worldwide. The Pre is a great phone (I love Palm) but it's not the Messiah. It'll attract Apple haters and Palm lovers. I loved their carefully worded press release "selected retailers have sold out," Hmmm SELECTED?

[CHRiS @ Jun 12th 2009 3:58PM]

Phenoum,
The Palm Pre Sprint Navigator is $2.99 a day, or $9.99 a month.

http://www.palmpre.org/gps-navigation-on-the-palm-pre

[OmiMoAK @ Jun 8th 2009 2:29PM]

Big friggin deal I have had TomTom on my WinMo since WinMo5 and had real turn by turn since Pocket 2003CE

[ZipperSeven @ Jun 8th 2009 2:30PM]

So you poked your head in on this page....why?

If you've already had it why were you so interested in it? Just to offer your negative comment?

[Puggs @ Jun 8th 2009 2:31PM]

... but this isn't a freaking WinMo device, its a freaking iPhone, so its a freaking big deal to those that have freaking iPhones.

[kevinm @ Jun 8th 2009 2:37PM]

Big friggin deal, you have a dated GPS device. This is about convergence, I don't have to keep track of a separate device. Oh btw, technology improves an ilbet the lot that this is hugely improved over your device.

[thatrotierkid @ Jun 8th 2009 2:40PM]

his comment is that this should have come out at minimum last summer. theres no reason it took so long. also kevin, learn to read, he said hes had tomtom on his winmo phone since winmo5.

[kal326 @ Jun 8th 2009 3:30PM]

Pricing will be important but I doubt it will be terribly expensive unless it requires the hardware dock piece to work. Garmin has been selling software for hardware GPS WinMo phones for a while now and I don't see this cannabilizing Nuvi sales. Granted the Garmin solution is around $100 for software alone, so a similar price for the TOMTOM software even without the dock is not outrageous by any stretch.

[Major4Play @ Jun 8th 2009 6:45PM]

I think OmiMoAK has a valid point , its the crap article with points like "though it didn't mention a price; in other words, we can't imagine this being cheap. You think TomTom wants a $19 app undercutting its $300 navigation systems? Doubtful"

Tomtom sells (in the UK) for £56 for Winmo and comes loaded on an SD card, so shocking as it seems it will probably be a similar price.

[kevinm @ Jun 8th 2009 2:33PM]

FINALLY! This looks super slick. But at what price, $99 or $199? It shouldn't cost more than a standalone unit.

[000000 @ Jun 8th 2009 2:44PM]

Exactly. I can buy a 60$ stand alone and just keep it in my car. To heck with convergence. I'd rather pocket 140$.

[Tim Shundo @ Jun 8th 2009 4:09PM]

Aren't apps not allowed to go over $99 on the App Store?

[---- @ Jun 8th 2009 4:30PM]

"Aren't apps not allowed to go over $99 on the App Store?""

definitely no price limit for apps on itunes

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=305156924&mt=8

[Michael Scrip @ Jun 8th 2009 2:34PM]

No Garmin? Grrrrrrr....

I've never actually seen anyone use a TomTom... only Garmin and Magellan.

TomTom sounds like a toy. I hated their old commercials: It's TomTom... not DougDoug...

[SuperQ @ Jun 8th 2009 3:52PM]

The tomtom UI completely spanks garmin's crap. I've used garmin stuff for a long long time, their UI designs have always been half-assed. The garmin car nav devices are toys compared to the tomtom. That doesn't obsolete the hiking/camping units, they still win for form factor and durability. I love the 705 for cycling, if only they could get the garmin connect site to be a little less flaky.

[Rod @ Jun 8th 2009 2:34PM]

TomTom's better than anything Garmin have to offer IMO. I'll be getting an iPhone just for this - time to say goodbye to the cracked S60 V3 version at last!

[Aaron Brown @ Jun 8th 2009 2:35PM]

I'm pumped about this. Now I can finally sell my TomTom and get rid of another gadget in my car.

[prime @ Jun 8th 2009 2:36PM]

What about for the iPod Touch? Can't they make a hardware device that uses the new dock connector API?

[shaunisadirty @ Jun 10th 2009 9:52AM]

Well given the iPod touch doesn't have a gps chip...or cellular signal....no. People always think their iPod touch can do everything an iPhone can, it can't.

[LongshotX @ Jun 8th 2009 2:36PM]

I hope this is one is on Installous. I will download and buy a car charging holster on ebay for $5. Yes indeed.

[Steve @ Jun 8th 2009 4:09PM]

You mean you hope you can steal? That's pathetic.

[Timmy @ Jun 8th 2009 2:38PM]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, whens the good stuff going to be presented???

[Rod @ Jun 8th 2009 2:42PM]

that's what I was thinking...getting a bit late in the day for 'by-the-way, here's a new iPhone...'

[Rassah @ Jun 8th 2009 2:38PM]

Used Garmin and TomTom. iPhone users definitely got a better choice here. Garmin always seemed too clunky and slow, compared to TomTom. I remember last time I paid for TomTom for WinMobile (Version 6 two years ago), it was about $150 for software with USA map. May be a bit cheaper now, but I wouldn't expect it to be less than $79

[mugupo @ Jun 8th 2009 2:38PM]

Is a bad idea to put your iphone as a navigation in a car, ibecause car theft often looking for steal gps instead of your stereo system since is much easier to sell, worst if get stole, the theft can get access many of your privacy information.

[Sonicnights @ Jun 8th 2009 2:41PM]

That's an easy fix, take it with you when you park. Cause it's like your phone !!!!

[prime @ Jun 8th 2009 2:42PM]

Um, duh. This is why an iPhone would actually be better. You might leave a GPS in your car, but you aren't going to leave your phone in your car...

[Brian! @ Jun 8th 2009 2:43PM]

uh, you might actually decide to take your phone with you when you leave your car. I dunno, to receive and make phone calls?

Seriously. Fail.

[Dan @ Jun 8th 2009 2:44PM]

Best reply ever.

[thatrotierkid @ Jun 8th 2009 2:47PM]

in my city people have been breaking into cars even if all they see is the window mount or the tell-tale rings left by a suction cup on the glass thinking the people probably just tucked the gps into their glove compartment. so i wouldnt say taking the phone with you will be a fool-proof method. stupid thieves making life a PINA for the rest of us.

[Dan @ Jun 8th 2009 2:42PM]

So will it multitask? If you're using your iphone as a music device in your car will you be able to get turn by turn GPS from it at the same time?

[Brian! @ Jun 8th 2009 2:46PM]

the iPod functions of an iPhone seem to work in pretty much all the apps. I listen to music and do lots of things on my iPhone, so I assume navigation will be the same. Now, don't expect to check your email while getting navigation - less likely when driving but more likely when using nav to find your way around a new city on foot/bike.

[drocpsu @ Jun 8th 2009 3:02PM]

what about listening to music and using the GPS when someone calls you? Will it still work then?

[Sergey @ Jun 8th 2009 2:47PM]

http://ripdev.com/ida
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkjwZlFzKvE

Available today.

[andreoutlaw @ Jun 9th 2009 1:40PM]

If I'm ever in Europe I'll remember them. But for now it doesn't appear to be available today for me...

[William @ Jun 8th 2009 2:50PM]

You Apple minions. My Nokia N95 has had turn by turn nav for the last two years! And I can work on my address book and listen to music at the same time.

Take that iPhone!

[Quix @ Jun 8th 2009 3:03PM]

Well, I'm sure Nokia has nothing to worry about then.

*snicker*

[Kelmon @ Jun 8th 2009 3:12PM]

Er...OK. I'm really very excited for you.

[---- @ Jun 8th 2009 4:58PM]

@ William ""My Nokia N95 has had turn by turn nav for the last two years"""

can your phone calculate the trajectory, windage, velocity energy, and flight time for a bullet from a barrett M107 .50 cal?

can your phone calculate if you’re sober enough to operate a motor vehicle?

can your phone help you tune your guitar?

do they sell Nokia N95 accessories that attach the phone to a sniper rifle?

no, but dont throw away that piece of junk phone you have.. it still makes phone calls

[Stroker Ace @ Jun 8th 2009 5:35PM]

@---: Yes, that's right, his N95 still makes phone calls, UNLIKE THE IPHONE 3G WHICH DROPS CALLS EVERY 15 MINUTES IN THE BAY AREA.

Think the 3GS will be any better? I doubt it. Apple is making a computer to sell apps in the App store and music/video in the iTunes store, and the phone is the worst I've used in years.

[Rey @ Jun 8th 2009 2:51PM]

I agree, we had a Tom-Tom and the garmin blew it out the water for half the price and twice the power

[CtrlBurn @ Jun 8th 2009 2:56PM]

While it sounds like this isn't the ultimate solution everyone is looking for, it's a step in the right direction. When you can have a device that does GPS as well as a dedicated GPS unit, can play media as well as a dedicated PMP, make phone calls as well as a dedicated phone, etc, that'll be a good day. My phone has a ton of great features like GPS and so forth, but it isn't quite a replacement for a dedicated GPS, or a dedicated PMP.

[Timerider @ Jun 8th 2009 3:02PM]

I got a TomTom GPS for Christmas and the maps suck. About a 1/4 mile from my house the GPS says I go off the road. Turns out that the road used to be different, 30 years ago.

[Carl @ Jun 8th 2009 3:09PM]

Seems pretty slick, but what about people who like to use cases? Seems like that dock is pretty form fitting.

[Kelmon @ Jun 8th 2009 3:13PM]

This is what I have been waiting for. Assuming that the price of the new phone isn't completely bonkers in Belgium I'll be getting an iPhone and this software. This all sounds really good to me.

[Fanfoot @ Jun 8th 2009 3:19PM]

All depends what it sells for. If its cheap enough, EVERYBODY will buy it. If its expensive or has monthly fees (maybe for traffic, otherwise not), then forget it.

C'mon Engadget, dig for it!

[chaos123x @ Jun 8th 2009 3:23PM]

Whoa about time.

I upgraded from the Edge iPhone to the 3G for the GPS.


This took forever, I hope it works well and is not crazy expensive.