TomTom's iPhone car kit promo video is enticing, but still no mention of price or release date
By Ross Miller 
posted August 22nd 2009 3:46AM
posted August 22nd 2009 3:46AM
[Thanks, Arthur]
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posted August 22nd 2009 3:46AM
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Dumb question as I'm not up on iPhones/iTouch etc... will this program work on an iTouch? Does it have the necessary hardware inside?
The application alone, no, but tomtom has stated that once the car kit is released, this WILL work for the ipod touch. I believe they even said the car kit will work with other navigation applications too, pretty good deal if you ask me.
I want a strap-on steering wheel remote to go with this damnit! As it stands it takes up the dock connector so you can't even add your own.
No one mentioned the fact that you have to take the phone out of its protective case anytime you want to put it in the mount. I don't have to do that with my completely ordinary 10$ mount and car charger. Ok, it's doesn't look fancy but it does the job, and that's what counts for me.
Welp, I'm sold (written from iPhone)
Windshield mount = automatic fail
What's the issue here. TT is overpriced for iPhone. I have a 149$ TT one 3rd edition (often on sale for less) and I paid for quarterly map updates just recently; I ran it side by side with iPhone 3GS and the new Navigon app for $70 (till end of month, then $100). My ETA, distances, POI, etc. is all more accurate. There are some wishes for it, BUT for now it's great.
Next: some states NOW, and more will follow, making it unlawful to have windshield mounts! My windshield on a Volvo is too far forward anyway; I never liked it! Period. Can not convince me to use one. I found a mount that is on the vents, which works fine, for now, till I get new car lease.
I would not want an iPhone mount that is farther away than I can easily reach. Answer the phone and the navigation returns.
Enough said for now....
Considering that tomtom said that once the car kit came out, the application would be able to be used on the ipod touch, best situation here:
Jailbreak your ipod touch, download a cracked version of the tomtom application, buy car kit, and you are done. To top it off, no problems with phone calls, because it is an ipod touch.
I've got a 2000 Jetta. I spent $100 on a ProClip cradle with a pass-through connector (A damn rip-off, but the solution sure is elegant). The thing is mounted half-way down the middle of the dash near my stereo head unit. I just purchased the Navigon app and the whole setup works flawlessly. Total money spent: 169.99, but I was using the ProClip long before any of the Turn-By-Turn apps were released (apart from AT&T's ridiculous navigator)...
I have a pretty slim Shield case - makes me wonder if I'll have to take my iphone out of it to use this. I also wonder if I can buy the mount at BestBuy or something, try it, and return it if I don't like it.
But here's the real question: there are many navigation units at the $200 price point. I could get a TomTom Go 730 or Garmin 265WT for that much on Amazon. What's the value-add for the iPhone version?
Back in the day I rocked (and still have!) Mapopolis on my Treo 650 with a Bluetooth GPS unit. I also used it with my Centro. The advantage to that setup was that I was already going to take my phone with me - I just needed to pack this little GPS unit too. The GPS unit could sit on the dash (or on the hat shelf in the back) and it had great batter life. I didn't have to mount the phone to impact the GPS performance.
(Side note: I've been annoyed for quite a while at the features I had under PalmOS that I don't have on the iPhone. There are still many features, like IMAP push and such that the Centro still can do that my iPhone can't. Isn't it sad when the latest and supposed best smartphone is getting spanked by old school PalmOS?)
This solution could provide similar functionality. Use the car mount in the car when you're driving, but as long as you have your iPhone with you then you should have reliable nav. But without the mount a) you'll still need to plug in - I'm sure this will eat the battery and b) when using the GPS a lot my 3GS gets way frakking hot. I looked to the mount because I didn't want my iPhone to melt.
We'll see what the combo price ends up being. If it's $199 list and ends up being $150 on Amazon then maybe. But if it's $200 on Amazon then I'll be looking at a separate solution. Other than having to carry it around is there any downside?
Just add FM transmitter or Bluetooth to connect to your car stereo for music streaming and you've got the single device you need. Plus add an optional gooseneck holder/charger!
come on!!!! how bloody long can it take to make a cradle. It been 2+ years and tomtom still have their tum in the A**.
Do like Apple, finish the product before announcing it, hate all companies coming with rumors and promises and the product comes out years after. simply sucks.
Will tomtom iphone car kit work with iphone navigon app?
So, for $99 I can have the Tom Tom application from the apps store? Let me weigh in the differences.
Tom Tom for iPhone:
- Cost: $99 for software.
- Hardware: You bring your own.
- Accessories (mount & charger): You bring your own.
- Pros: Have your cell phone and your GPS in one package.
- Cons: Not able to use your phone for anything else while you are navigating (search for songs, call someone, etc.)
Tom Tom One S:
- Cost: $99.99
- Hardware: Included
- Accessories (mount & charger): Included
- Pros: Keeps your phone free for it to do other things to do.
- Cons: One more thing to carry. One more thing mounted on your dash.
Conclusion:
I am still in the fence over this. If Tom Tom comes out and states that iPhone users do not have to pay every year $50-$100 for map updates, then I'm sold, but if they don't I'm getting me a GPS unit for my dash and saving my iPhone to do other things.
Hey guys, working with TomTom on this app, and wanted to help clear up some information. Many of you have the correct info, but here is the official word.
Car Mount kit: Despite rumors, there is no announced price for the kit. Official word on timing is around the end of the summer, which as was mentioned is not long from now. As to why the kit is being released separate of the app, the two products are on separate development cycles with separate teams. Being the software team was finished with the app, and since it is design to work independently, TomTom decided to release it first.
Text to Speech (TTS): As noted, this is not available on the app, nor is it available on many lower cost PNDs. Within the TomTom line, the"S" models of the 140/340 offer this, while the standard do not. Going forward TomTom is working to continually improve the app and include new features, but there are not any specifics at this time.
Map Updates: While there is no specific information at this time, TomTom is actively working on a solution to ensure that buyers will always have access to the latest maps.
There is a brief FAQ that has just been released on the TomTom site at:
http://iphone.tomtom.com/en-us/faq.html
If there are any other questions, ask away!
Can anyone please clear something up for me...when using the tomtom app on the iphone, when you recieve a call is it possible to minimise the call via the home button in order to carry on following the Satnav route. On MobileNavigatior you can do that but have to open the app again and the app remembers the route you were following once it's re booted.
Anyone know if the TomTom App works the same?
Cheers Guys...