TomTom Car Kit Incompatible with iPod Touch

**Michael Essany** · 10-28-2009, 04:00 PM

Apple Insider has learned today that the soon-to-be released TomTom Car Kit navigation dock will "not enable GPS functionality for the corresponding App Store software on the iPod touch and first-generation iPhone."

Although there has been some confusion about this revelation on various message boards around the web today, here's the real scoop. As we already know, the Kit dock is, indeed, compatible with all iPhone models. However, the TomTom app is only compatible with the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G, no matter if the
dock is connected to a first-generation iPhone or iPod touch.

Since it appeared for order on the Apple Store last week, the hardware's Web page has read: "Note: The TomTom app for iPhone is not included with this TomTom Car Kit. The Car Kit dock is compatible with all iPhone models, but the Car Kit app only works with iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G."

According to Apple Insider, an inquiry as to whether any updates would eventually be provided to change this situation was met with a canned response. At this time, TomTom will not make "any public announcements."

In other words, don't hold your breath for an update any time soon. This news comes as a great disappoint to many hoping that the TomTom iPhone Car Kit and its corresponding navigation app would be compatible with the iPod touch or original iPhone. Initial reports, after all, hinted that the oldest version of the iPhone or the touch would work with the TomTom Car Kit and navigation app.

If you haven't already noticed, it's been a rough going for TomTom as their latest offering finally rolls out.

The Car Kit was expected to arrive this summer, but was delayed until October without any specific reason given. Given that the $119.95 hardware is listed as shipping in two to three weeks from the Apple Store, it would appear that the October deadline will also be missed. The hardware is not necessary to use the TomTom navigation software that is currently available in the iPhone App Store, but it will amplify the GPS signal for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

Image via Apple Insider

**cssoz** · 10-28-2009, 04:02 PM

well maybe they didn't plan to make TomTom to work with the first gen of iphone and touch

**grovepi** · 10-28-2009, 04:07 PM

that's odd, according to this video: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etCqq3-7ixo]YouTube - TomTom Car Kit - ihone 3G/3GS and 1G/silverback - mini review[/ame]
it works fine

**plcrules** · 10-28-2009, 04:14 PM

lol is it suppose 2? im pretty sure tom tom is useless without wifi
correct me if im rong

**FoneWeasel** · 10-28-2009, 04:16 PM

That really sucks. I was looking to pickup one for my 1st gen iPhone.

Originally Posted by plcrules

lol is it suppose 2? im pretty sure tom tom is useless without wifi
correct me if im rong

The app itself is several gigs and contains all the maps so there's nothing it needs to download other then traffic info and a couple other less data intensive things.

**reanimationxp** · 10-28-2009, 04:27 PM

^what he said.. it's a standalone map app. wifi is not used at all as far as i know.

**ima80baby** · 10-28-2009, 04:42 PM

You need wifi to get a GPS signal. How will the navigator know where you are if your position is not triangulated. Its just like trying to use Maps on an iPod touch you can see the map that was loaded when you used it on wifi but it can't tell you where you are at the moment because there is no internet connection. DUH!

**willdj79** · 10-28-2009, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by ima80baby

you need wifi to get a gps. how will the navigator know where you are?

You dont need wifi to get gps, that is why it is built-in to the car kit to talk with the idevice.

**Riceboy369** · 10-28-2009, 04:53 PM

3G connection = GPS signal.

**ima80baby** · 10-28-2009, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by willdj79

You dont need wifi to get gps, that is why it is built-in to the car kit to talk with the idevice.

The kit does not give you GPS all it does is hold the phone up and charge it

**Ticko** · 10-28-2009, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by ima80baby

The kit does not give you GPS all it does is hold the phone up and charge it

it does have a gps chip in the kit to extend gps function for the current gps in the iphone

**sc12321** · 10-28-2009, 05:11 PM

The kit does have a GPS chip inside, but the real question is WHY THE HELL would you buy that when the iPhone 3G and 3GS already have GPS chip built in.

the only reason why someone i think would get this is because their iphone 1st gen or the ipod touch does not have a GPS chip inside so getting this will give them GPS functions.

but now that it says tom tom car kit is incompaitble with ipod touch and iphone 1g then this is is USELESS.

**digzz** · 10-28-2009, 05:12 PM

I wish There was a way of Turn off the charger Without taking out the tomtom charger!!! There should be a option to stop the charging ..!!! In about 2 months time My battery will Be Messed up. Over charging and stuff... And if you disconnect it from the the cradle ..There is no Hands free calling & enhanced GPS....This sucks.....I just got mine Yesterday.

**ima80baby** · 10-28-2009, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Ticko

it does have a gps chip in the kit to extend gps function for the current gps in the iphone

Exactly the iPod Touch has no GPS fuction without wifi therefore in the case of the iPod Touch it cant enhance what it is not receiving

**MetallicaFan1991** · 10-28-2009, 05:54 PM

ima80baby, keep digging yourself a hole, noob!!
That vid clearly shows the kit woking on a an iPhone 2G that has no GPS chip in it. Wifi has nothing to do with GPS!

**ecd5000** · 10-28-2009, 06:10 PM

1st there both over priced they should sell for $100 for both and 2nd without wifi 1st gen and itouch are useless, but does the adapter charge these 2? can it work as an adapter to play your music in the car? i would never buy either due to the price but is always a good thing to know

**ima80baby** · 10-28-2009, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by A.T

ima80baby, keep digging yourself a hole, noob!!
That vid clearly shows the kit woking on a an iPhone 2G that has no GPS chip in it. Wifi has nothing to do with GPS!

from one noob to another: the iphone 2g has internet access through edge therefore the gps enhancer inside the kit will give you gps however the iPod touch cannot connect to the internet without wifi. what is it that you dont understand? You need internet access to get GPS whether its through the iphone 3g & 3gs's built in chip or the 2g's edge connection being helped with the kit's gps enhancer chip. for the last time the ipod touch can't get internet access without wifi.

Originally Posted by A.T

ima80baby, keep digging yourself a hole, noob!!
That vid clearly shows the kit woking on a an iPhone 2G that has no GPS chip in it. Wifi has nothing to do with GPS!

wifi has everything to do with GPS on an iPod touch why do you think Maps cant find your location when your not connected to wifi, and try using Maps or any GPS based app on an iphone with the sim card removed guess what no GPS without internet access

**awesomeSlayer** · 10-28-2009, 07:18 PM

Of course the iPod touch won't work since it has no GPS chip so why be so surprised of that.

Originally Posted by ima80baby

wifi has everything to do with GPS on an iPod touch why do you think Maps cant find your location when your not connected to wifi, and try using Maps or any GPS based app on an iphone with the sim card removed guess what no GPS without internet access

What?! Wifi has nothing to do this! iPhone doesn't need wifi because of EDGE and 3G! iPhone has GPS chip. iPod touch DOES NOT HAVE GPS CHIP! Therefore, it is incompatible with the iPod touch even with wifi! No GPS chip, no GPS regardless of wifi! Enough said!

**rhekt** · 10-28-2009, 07:22 PM

preordered mine yesterday. supposed to ship on nov 17 and get to me by the 20th. cant wait... ive held off on the app though due to the horrible reviews. waiting to see what people think about it when they couple it with the new dock.

**ima80baby** · 10-28-2009, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by awesomeiPod

Of course the iPod touch won't work since it has no GPS chip so why be so surprised of that.

What?! Wifi has nothing to do this! iPhone doesn't need wifi because of EDGE and 3G! iPhone has GPS chip. iPod touch DOES NOT HAVE GPS CHIP! Therefore, it is incompatible with the iPod touch even with wifi! No GPS chip, no GPS regardless of wifi! Enough said!

ok smart guy how can the ipod touch find your location in maps with wifi and it cant when not connected to wifi. and again if the iphone has a GPS chip in it then why do you need to be connected to the internet to get GPS.

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