The iPhone GPS solution is getting to be a serious contender with the release of the TomTom iPhone app now available for download from the Apple iPhone App Store. In addition to this, the TomTom iPhone car kit should be available later this year with the secure docking providing an overall solution for a car GPS system.
The TomTom iPhone App is compatible with the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS and compatibility with the iPod Touch is coming soon according to TomTom.
The features include:
- Turn by turn navigation
- Voice instructions
- Automatic re-routing if a turn is missed
- Australian and NZ maps
- Utilisation of IQ Routes technology so the travel times and best routes are based on actual experience of drivers
- Extensive safety camera database with information on speed and red light cameras across Australia
It is a light version of the full TomTom GPS so there are some features that are not included. For example detailed spoken directions are not included such as turn right at street name. You only hear the more general “turn right”.
The TomTom iPhone App is available at a cost of $99.99 with Australian maps. The application has been very successful already and is already making the top 50 most downloaded paid app on the Australian App Store and ranked number one on the Australian App Store’s top grossing leader board.
The TomTom car kit provdes a secure docking station, enables you to play music through the car stereo and recharges your iPhone. It also provides enhanced GPS reception.
It’s unclear what the pricing will be for the car kit. The car kit has appeared on US online stores for around US$160 and this price includes the iPhone app. Thoughts around the forums are that the price will be around $250 in Australia and the overwhelming opinion is that this is expensive. It’s unclear what happens if you have already purchased the iPhone app and want the standalone car kit.
So the question will be whether it’s better to buy a standalone GPS or the iPhone GPS application if you have an iPhone. For those who want everything on one device then the TomTom solution may be the best one. However you can get the TomTom One for just over $200 so in terms of price and functionality I think many will opt for the standalone solution and not the iPhone App.
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