iPhone set for TomTom GPS app and accessories
updated 03:20 pm EDT, Mon June 8, 2009
TomTom on iPhone
While Apple announced a variety of new iPhone apps at the WWDC event on Monday, one of the notable additions integrates TomTom navigation. The app will provide many of the same features as standalone GPS systems, such as turn-by-turn directions, voice prompts and route planning. Users will be able to choose routes based on the fastest traffic flow in certain areas at specific times of the day.
Along with the app, TomTom will offer a line of accessories to enhance the GPS and in-vehicle functionality of the iPhone. A cradle will securely dock the iPhone, while allowing the orientation to be switched between landscape and portrait. The Car Kit also provides an external speaker to improve the volume for voice prompts, while enabling hands-free calling.
Reports of a TomTom app have existed for a year, although earlier versions of the iPhone SDK prohibited vector-based (directional) positioning that is necessary for turn-by-turn navigation assistance. The new iPhone 3GS also integrates a magnetometer which works like a digital compass, a feature that is absent from a good portion of standalone systems. Without the magnetometer, the user must begin moving before the app can calculate the heading based on point-to-point data.
The TomTom app and Car Kit will be available this summer, although pricing information has yet to be announced.
COOL!
06/08, 03:41pm reply
I may try that this summer! We will see what they price it at!
MacAssemble
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Joined: Jan 2008
Tempting
06/08, 04:39pm reply
This alone might be enough to get me into an iPhone.
bjojade
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Joined: Jun 2007
Anyone use Tom Tom
06/08, 05:19pm (1 reply) reply
Anyone used a Tom Tom out there? I've heard mixed reviews of them (wish there was a Garmin app for iPhone), but maybe it was just a funky device or two. I've heard it's because Tom Tom is a European company and their US maps get updated less frequently.
I'm definitely interested in a turn-by-turn app for iPhone, but want to make sure maps are accurate.
akulavolk
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Over here...
06/08, 06:39pm reply
In Europe, the TomTom works flawlessly.
Driving from Amsterdam to the south of France in one go without a hitch.
Updates can be downloaded.
I don't know the situation for the US but over here TomTom rules.
Double_UK
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@Double_UK
06/08, 07:39pm reply
Yeah...I've heard that Tom Tom is king in Europe, but hasn't been as quick on US map updates and fixing errors. Not sure if that's just anecdotal, or real. I also hear that Garmin is great in the US, but less so overseas.
I have a few friends with old Tom Toms here that "don't trust 'GPS'" to find their way around and each got lost following its directions to our house. Our house is 20 years old, so it's not exactly a "new subdivision" problem.
akulavolk
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Re: Anyone use TomTom
06/09, 10:52am reply
I got my wife a TomTom One a while back. The interface is confusing and the directions it picked where never the "best" route. In comparison, my Magellan Roadmate has an easy interface and the routes it picks pretty much always match MapQuest FWIW. Our TomTom got stolen out of the car, and I'll say we replaced it with another Magellan unit. The Garmins I've played with in the stores are also simpler to use than TomToms IMHO too.
snork
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