Still not convinced of the benefits of TomTom's upcoming
Car Kit for iPhone? Then perhaps a little FCC approval will change your mind. In addition to offering a bit more reassurance that the thing is actually coming, the new listing also reveals a few more details than TomTom's been willing to dish out, including the fact that the mount / dock / charger packs some Bluetooth of its own for hands-free calling, and its very own SiRFstar GPS chipset to give you some better accuracy compared to the standalone
TomTom iPhone app. Still looking for more? You can get a glimpse of the device's manual, some internal and external shots, and slew of test reports to keep you busy by hitting up the read link below.
posted Aug 28th 2009 12:19PM
This will cost at least $150.
they did the same way as Archos did 2 years ago for their 5th generation PMP's - put GPS unit in car holder.
Why the hell would a plastic holder without electronics be approved by the FCC? Isn't that the DMV that should test road safety?
The simple powerplug doesn't count btw, but I guess there's amplification circuitry and such not in view and that's the thing being tested.
You did read the article right?
"mount / dock / charger packs some Bluetooth of its own for hands-free calling, and its very own SiRFstar GPS chipset"
If you read the article before you comment you won't look like an idiot.
You really need to read the contents of this post, if you did, you would see the need for FCC approval, it is not simply a piece of plastic!
Apparently it does have everything but the screen, which makes it kind of redundant, but whatever.
Uh, not really. All it really sports is a GPS chip and a little bluetooth, this thing alone has not even close to enough hardware to run a gps device. There is a reason why an iphone/ipod touch is needed.
This will be the ultimate iPhone dock, Tom Tom app be damned.
I really hope they sell this thing as a stand alone device because I REALLY don't want a $100 GPS app.
It says on their site that the app and dock will be sold separately.
http://iphone.tomtom.com/en-us/faq.html
"When available, the TomTom car kit will be sold without the TomTom app. The TomTom app can only be purchased via the Apple App stores."
Does this enable the iPod Touch to have GPS and maps even without Wi-Fi?
Been stated as yes.
Yes, confirmed on TomTom's website. (Including original iPhone)
My question too. That would be awesome if it worked with the Touch. My current FM car kit it crapping out on my right now too, so the time is right.
I certainly could care less, that's for sure!
There will be a seperate version for iPod touch, without BT and possibly cheaper than $99
hay guys, i got a good idea - lets carefully align some rulers next to this here device so we can see its dimentions and such... but then - just to mix things up a bit - take the picture at an obscure angle so that we ultimately get defeated by perspective.
Hay guise. I get it. Like LOLcats, right?
If this dock has it's own GPS, then can this be used with the ipod touch? I tought it was iphone only.
Yes it will work with the iPod touch, confirmed on TomTom's website. (Including original iPhone)
Hey Cris T, will this work with the ipod touch? I can't... seem... to find any... information about... it... hmmm
@Sam
Really? REALLY?
hmmm, so for probably 3/4 of the price of a GPS + half the price of another GPS for the iphone software, I can have a GPS with a tiny screen.
I think I would be better off buying a regular GPS
how is 3.5" tiny? Most GPS devices are 3"
Good point, Grammar. For me, though, this would also replace my FM car kit with which I listen to podcasts during my commute.
actually most GPS screens are 3.5'' squared....which IS fairly bigger then 3.5 inch widescreen.
Do you like carrying around 20 different electronic devices? If you do then go get a stand alone GPS... I for one do not.. I'll be getting this dock... it'll kill SO many birds...
exactly, especially since there is no price listed anywhere, so your math is based on nothing
@mckooter
price estimate is up to $200 dollars for the adapter.
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/08/tomtom-gps-kit/
app price is $99.99
Garmon GPS with similar features is 150.00
so..umm...ya...your right, my estimates are acutally low.
I don't like putting devices that keep exploding like the iphone 3gs in the sun for hours. Imagine driving and boom..
Standalone gps's are designed to take it.
That said, I'll get it anyways..lol
@GreezyG who the hell carries their turn by turn GPS system on them?! That arguement has been killed already.
So where does it say you can use original iPhone, I only see 3G and 3GS on the site. I am not trying to bust balls. Really would like to know.
yes, like lolcats, but the FCC never seem to get things quite right so i substituted guise for guys.
It's a meta critique of the FCC because you made fun of them using LOLspeak, but you knew that it would go way over their heads, you had to dumb it down even further using regular English.
ǝɟıן ʎɯ ɟo ןןɐ ɥʇıʍ ɯǝʇsʎs ʇuǝɯoɔ ǝɥʇ ǝʇɐɥ ı
*tries again*
i hate the coment system with all of my life.
The tomtom iphone app sucks, the navigon is $30 cheaper and does more. I have no problem with gps signal on my iphone and i can hear it just fine as well. No need for this thing. It will probably be around $60 also. To the guy who said its $150, your an idiot. It will be $60-80 no more. But still isnt worth it
The guys on MacBreak Weekly says that the TomTom app is better. But they also conceded that they haven't tried out navigone in a while, and it might have improved.
Bottom line, though is that they loved it.
My Belkin FM transmitter cost me $80. I doubt this will cost the same or less. Your $60 - $80 is crazy talk! Crazy talk!
//........now go make your bed and take out the trash//
Hmm, I'm not sure where you are from but here in reality, adults also have to make their beds and take the trash out.
Anyway, that article states that although they are stopping their PND business, they were increasing their business in mobile phone applications
Ok, I love my iPhone and have often been overly enthusiastic about it just for shits and giggles, but this TomTom app+dock is just a ridiculous option for a nav system riddled with problems you wouldn't find on a standalone. People who jump on this are letting their iPhones think for them.
How is this ridiculous? I have a TomTom that I never get a chance to use because I am always on the move and I don't want to leave it in the car. It gets too hot here in AZ for a device like that with a screen that can blow in the heat. Carrying 2 devices wherever I go kind of sucks so I ultimately end up leaving it at home ... which does me absolutely no good. With something like this I can actually leave it in the car and just carry my iPhone with me. Something I do all the time!
What are the problems that it's riddled with?
Isn't the point of a gps because you ARE always on the move? Here's a hint: when you have to get out of the car, you don't need a turn by turn GPS..it's already done its job.
What I want to know is what genius allowed the app to be available before the dock came out? This is just horrible marketing!!
Why get TomTom's surely expensive dock when Belkin's dock is just as good?
http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/01/belkin-introduces-new-tunebase-fm-and-tunebase-direct/
Ummm no it's not. My standalone GPS (TomTom) has far superior GPS than ANY of my BlackBerry units including my BB Bold ... it can actively track my location and update turns instantly because of the separate SiRF GPS chip. That belkin is just a transmitter and dock.
This one is a BlueTooth hands free system with separate SiRF chip to give my iPhone GPS capabilities like my standalone unit, but now I don't have to manage 2 devices to carry around.
How are these even REMOTELY similar except for the fact they hold your iPhone and can carge it?
as long as this baby can give me GPS SIGNAL WITHOUT INTERNET DATA......count me in. ill cough up that 100 cash or so. SO CAN ANYONE ELSE CONFIRM THAT IT WILL MAKE THE APP WORK WITHOUT USING INTERNET DATA?? anyone..... thanks
Yes the app will get GPS without any internet connection, this has nothing to do with the car kit
Will someone please help me answer this question? I'm quite worried.
In the promo video for the Car Kit, the iPhone and 'holster' rotate counterclockwise. However, that means the side with all the connectors for power and aux. are facing up. Does anyone know if it can rotate the other way?
Check out page 6 of the product manual:
https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=1160779&native_or_pdf=pdf
It shows the side with the plugs facing down in the rotated (landscape) position.
This is incredibly smart on Tom Tom's part. When my iPhone 3G is in it's mount, with Bluetooth, GPS, and 3G all turned on, playing music in the background with Google maps in the foreground, with auto-lock set to off and the screen on medium brightness, the iPhone (even though it's plugged in) will only last for about 2-3 hours. It will, despite being attached to some power, eat through it's battery, unable to charge since the power draw is just too much and required both the incoming power and the battery itself.
This way, the iPhone can have a)better GPS reception, and b)actually work as a full-time in-car GPS on long trips. I won't have to worry when I get out in Sackville, Nova Scotia, that my iPhone is dead, and needs some power CPR.