TomTom Releases Update for iPod touch and 1st-Gen iPhone

[Paul Daniel Ash]

TomTom has, at long last, released a version of its navigation app compatible with original iPhones and the iPod touch. With version 1.2 of the app, released yesterday on the App Store, users of these devices can join iPhone 3G and 3GS users with enjoying turn-by-turn navigation... when used with its $119.95 car kit. The company had originally stated that their product would support the devices, but at the time of the October release only iPhones with GPS receivers were compatible.

The new version also features a new text-to-speech function, so the driver can pay attention to the roads while the app announces street names as turns are reached. It also allows the driver to control iPod music from within the app, rather than having to switch in and out of iPod mode. There's improved lane guidance in both landscape and portrait mode, direct access to emergency numbers with the "Help Me" function, a database update to its map and safety camera database update, and customizable audio warnings while approaching safety cameras or driving faster than the speed limit.

The update is free to owners of earlier versions of the app, which sells with U.S. and Canada maps in the App Store for $99. Maps are also available for Western Europe ($139.99), Australia ($79.99) and New Zealand ($94.99).

A company spokesman said that the upgrade is part of an ongoing process of adding functionality to the app.

The TomTom app for iPhone is a priority for us and we are committed to both its long term development and everyday improvements. Current and future customers of our application for the iPhone can count on more great updates from TomTom for free.

TomTom's car kit is a cradle which contains a GPS module, integrated speaker, charger, and line out. It is not required when the TomTom app is paired with the iPhone 3G and 3GS, which have integrated GPS receivers, but can be used to improve GPS reception. The kit retails for $119.95 US.

image via TomTom

[Lem]

Too late Tom Tom everybody is with Navigon now.

[rwin84]

I might actually see about getting this as my touch stays mounted in my car...

[Nukie]

I've tried both TomTom and Navigon and I prefer TomTom. I just think the user interface is better designed and more intuitive. Now with TTS, I will be one happy TomTom user.

[adp]

Took them a few months to catch up with Navigon's TTS. Now Navigon has traffic. So in a couple of months expect TomTom to release a ridiculously overpriced traffic subscription.

[eatdirt1]

the car kit looks nice,but at that price screw them,got to wait for the chinese to make a copy.....

[rryyddeerr]

im still completely mystified as to why ANYONE would actually pay that kind of money for an app. boys and girls, its a PHONE. your going to get another one in a year or so. are you 100% sure its going to be an iphone? better be. just put the 220 you would have to spend on app and hardware into a garmin. put it in your car and never touch it again. i mean, COME ON.

[StealthBravo]

Too late Tom Tom everybody is with Navigon now.

I agree

[rhekt]

im still completely mystified as to why ANYONE would actually pay that kind of money for an app. boys and girls, its a PHONE. your going to get another one in a year or so. are you 100% sure its going to be an iphone? better be. just put the 220 you would have to spend on app and hardware into a garmin. put it in your car and never touch it again. i mean, COME ON.

your absolutely right.

i spent $130 [w/taxes] for the tomtom car kit. $120 for a new cd player w/ ipod Aux input. $50 for the cd player wire harness and car install kit [combined]. and $10 for a 3.5mm 3ft cable connection [since tomtom DOESNT supply!!!!] realizing....that if i also buy the $100 iphone tomtom app that ill be $410 dollars into it. PRICELESS.

this dude is right...just buy the real thing....much better investment

[Jetaray]

Can anyone confirm that the TOMTOM car kit and the new software actually work with the original iPhone (2G non GPS models)? Meaning they actually tried it, and if so does the GPS module in the car kit work with Navigon or xGPS on the 2G iPhone? All I ever see (thru Google searches) is people parroting press releases, because all reviewers seem to already have the latest and greatest iPhone 3GS. So if you have links to a review were the reviewer actually uses the car kit with the original iPhone please post it, thanks.

Also can anyone confirm that the TOMTOM car kit uses Bluetooth to transmit GPS data to the iPhone not the serial connection? It is my understanding the serial connection is used for charging, audio to the cradles speaker, and connection to the microphone on the cradle.

I don’t have a TOMTOM car kit, that is why all the questions. Maybe the following comments will spark some ideas if it really is a worth while device for some. Especially for those of use who don’t have/want to spend the money for a 3GS or have a 2 year contract with AT&T.

This place (Bottom Line Telecommunications) sells the car kit at fair price. When I say fair I mean fair if the GPS module in the unit works with the original iPhone and iPod touch. The GPS I use with my 2G phone cost me about $45 and another $20 for the cable. If you add the cost of a hands free kit (higher quality mic and speaker in the cradle, assumption as I have not used the unit) and the mount assembly the current price does not really seem that bad. The cost may even be more attractive it helps negate the need for a separate GPS receiver like Garmin or such. This would be one less item to carry around or worry about getting stolen.

Just keep in mind this is a view from a user that has no AT&T contract so I have no need or desire to upgrade to an iPhone 3GS. I purchased my used 16GB iPhone for $150 and use it like an iPod touch that works great as a Skype only phone. I had an iPod touch originally but returned it when I realized I could get more from a used iPhone (built in speaker and microphone for Skype use) at a lower price. I took that $100 I saved and invested it in a GPS receiver and cable. For people like me that TOMTOM car kit may be a good option to add GPS capability to an old iPhone. It costs $100 for a GPS app (free if you use xGPS and if it works), $90 for the TOMTOM car kit with GPS receiver, $150 to $200 for used iPhone, that’s a total as low as $240 for a nice touch mp3 player, GPS turn by turn, and Wi-Fi phone, or $340 with paid GPS program like TOMTOM or Navigon.

[dcguy]

Also can anyone confirm that the TOMTOM car kit uses Bluetooth to transmit GPS data to the iPhone not the serial connection? It is my understanding the serial connection is used for charging, audio to the cradles speaker, and connection to the microphone on the cradle.

Hey there, I'm doing some work with TomTom and can try to help you out. The TomTom app on the iPhone 2g works through the car kit via the dock connector and not Bluetooth. The car kit's internal GPS chip allows the app to work on the 2g phone when it's plugged in to the dock connector.

[rhekt]

this app is awesome

[fallafull]

hi, i just downloaded the tomtom app on my 1st generation iphone and it installed ok, i believe. It opens well but its telling me "low gps reception" all the time
Can anyone help me on this?
Thanks

[confucious]

hi, i just downloaded the tomtom app on my 1st generation iphone and it installed ok, i believe. It opens well but its telling me "low gps reception" all the time
Can anyone help me on this?
Thanks

You bought the app without the car kit?

[iGuy]

How come it costs more for New Zealand than it does for Australia? NZ is a fraction of the size.

[mofolo]

How come it costs more for New Zealand than it does for Australia? NZ is a fraction of the size.

Because they have to keep updating it...

Cause its New Zealand... Not Old Zealand...

Get it?..
Get it?..

..Screw you guys.

[Mira30]

waiting for tom tom to lower their price

[starjar]

BestBuy has alot of gps gadgets and at sometime they would advertise it in one whole page in there newspaper. But paying a $99 app is too much. In fact any apps that cost alot and did nothing is crappy.