Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: TomTom, GPS, iPhone, App | Themes: Software, Smartphones
GPS manufacturer TomTom has finally launched its iPhone application in the United States and Canada. However, don't think you're going to get the company's turn-by-turn navigation without forking out major bucks.
A hundred bucks is a lot of money for an iPhone app, considering you can get your self an iPhone 3G for the same money. However, the application is designed to give you the same functionality you'd get from a TomTom GPS without having to buy the hardware.
Features include IQ Routes (which takes into account the past routes of other TomTom users to find the fastest way to your destination), the latest Tele Atlas maps for the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, voice instructions, automatic rerouting, a UI in 18 different languages and multi-touch gestures like tap, swipe, pinch and zoom.
TomTom for iPhone is available from the TomTom website or directly from iTunes by clicking here. Would you consider purchasing an app to replace your GPS? Let us know in the comments below!
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No Thanks!
this would be helpful for any iPhone users who may not have a GPS in the first place, but I don't think existing TomTom users would buy this to replace their existing units until those units get outdated throughout time.
$100 Is a little steep. It's not like you are paying for hardware+software. I'll be just fine with the built in method.
$100? I thought it'd be like $20. I think the average user will pass.
My phone comes with a built in GPS, and it's pretty damn decent. Doesn't have all of the features of a TomTom though.
I'll also use the phone app, which I already do. No need to waste natural resources, money or time buying a second piece of hardware to do it. Especially since both can charge in the car too.
You can shop around and buy a full blown GPS for about that price- hardware PLUS software. Garmin GPS software is available for a lot less than that too. Will this be sold through the iphone app store? I thought they had a limit on what software could sell for.
over priced
Aren't there a million driving apps that use Google Maps by now?
There are a lot of GPSs out there that you can buy for $100. That includes software and hardware.
But hey, if you really need that multi-touch functionality, then go ahead and get the iPhone app. This is really nothing I would personally fork over another extra $100 for.
I have a feeling the price will drop. I think that $100 is steep, but the early adopters will pay for it for the hands-free features. After a year, I think they'll drop the price considerably. The company's gotta make a profit for the cost of software engineering. Once people stop buying it, supply and demand will bring the price down.
Good idea, terrible price point.
If it works the same as their stand alone GPS units, I could see maybe $20.
$100 is a rip off.
What happens when you want to change to a new phone or cancel you cell contract?
Will it become unusable?
I would rather pay a little more and get dedicated GPS hardware that is not tied to a crappy phone/cell service.
$20 which includes app updates, then $10 per year if you want new maps but free after the initial $20, then we'll talk
Aren't there a million driving apps that use Google Maps by now?
No because Apple canned any apps that provided turn by turn navigation. For OS 3.0, apple rescinded this, but still only approves the good quality nav apps.
Lucky me that Sprint comes with free GPS.
[citation][nom]cadder[/nom]You can shop around and buy a full blown GPS for about that price- hardware PLUS software.citation]
Yeah, I got a navigo sat nav thingy for £42 including p&p (around $80 I think). Was great, until I dropped it :-(
Ouch - I was excited about this until I saw the price - that's really steep for a software-only solution. 20-30$ seems a more appropriate price point given that this was a port of existing codebase that tomtom owns.
Well, considering that 30$ are for Apple (30% cut on all App store items) and that all latest maps (US+Europe) seemed included according to the article, the price could be considered normal.
I just checked the App store however and only the maps for Europe are already at 99€ (not $). Now that is a real rip-off...
it's time to start jailbreaking?
Goes to show you the value of the the GPS hardware is about $30. The rest is in map generation and maintenance. Thanks for letting us know the marginal cost of production.
I bet it will drop to $50 in a week
whats the big deal? tomtom have been selling a similar bit of software for windows mobile for a while now at around the same pricepoint. Another case of Apple's device leading the way in some way no doubt.
Also, i dont see how a tap or swipe constitutes a multitouch gesture...
Stop complaining about US price. It will cost 100€ in Europe and that is almost 50% more.
It is funny like everyone is selling into US for lower price to fit in US market and companies like apple, hp, dell... are selling to EU for the same price but in Euros + tax + whatever.
Goes to show you the value of the the GPS hardware is about $30. The rest is in map generation and maintenance. Thanks for letting us know the marginal cost of production.
TomTom is trying to justify their purchase of TeleAtlas. They're hurting big time.
the price reminds me of the "I am rich" app that was on the app store for $999.99.
All GPS hardware is slow junkie. Running GPS software on an iPhone 3GS is an excellent idea but at $100 it is a joke. It should cost $10.
All GPS hardware is slow junkie. Running GPS software on an iPhone 3GS is an excellent idea but at $100 it is a joke. It should cost $10.
I'd disagree with this. You do get what you pay for but I've got some good units.
This is good and bad.
Good.
It will actually be like a real tomtom unit.
easy to use, turn by turn
100$ may be worth it since a good gps can run for more and if you already have an iPhone, then it may be a good idea.
Bad.
Expensive. More so if you take into account the price of the iPhone it self.
Apple may pull it some day
I am sure it will sell to those who want ONE do it all unit.
I may think about it if it also comes with a Topo map for hiking.
By the way, this TomTom app is 1.21GB when downloaded. Not sure how much space will it take up after installed. Since most of people only have about 8-16GB in their iPhone... 1.21G seems a little heavy on most of the iPhone users.
They should charge 24.95 for the app, plus $1 per state you would like to get.
$100. LOL, I don't think so. The GPS works just fine on the iphone 3gs. I will wait until the app is on appulous or a torrent file. Thanks, but no Thanks.
$100. LOL, I don't think so. The GPS works just fine on the iphone 3gs. I will wait until the app is on installous/appulous or a torrent file. Thanks, but no Thanks.