TomTom brings turn-by-turn navigation to iPhone
TomTom on iPhone
(Credit: James Martin/CNET)With the announcement of iPhone OS 3.0, we knew that real-time, turn-by-turn navigation would soon become a reality on the iPhone. It was just a matter of when and how, and it looks like we finally got our answer on Monday.
Joining Apple onstage at the WWDC 2009 keynote, longtime GPS manufacturer TomTom unveiled its application for the iPhone, bringing maps and voice-guided directions to the smartphone. The biggest boon for drivers is the addition of the audible prompts, since the current iPhone is only able to provide text-based instructions through Google Maps. In addition, TomTom will offer a car kit for the iPhone, which includes a vehicle mount and car charger.
The TomTom app is expected to be available this summer, but as CNET's Erica Ogg and Kent German point out, the big question is how much this will cost. Mapping and navigation software isn't cheap, so it'll be interesting to see where they put the pricing on this app and how it compares with Sprint Navigation on the Palm Pre. Also, I have to wonder, would Garmin have been better off going the app route instead of launching its own Nuvifone line of GPS-enabled smartphones, which has yet to see the light of day?
Bonnie Cha is a senior editor for CNET, covering smartphones and GPS. When she's not testing the latest gadgets, you can find her chasing after her crazy lab or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California. E-mail Bonnie.
What's next for the "j-phone"? perhaps they can finally make the phone actually work like a phone! I know many people who are upset with the iphone's inability to hold a signal long enough to have a conversation!
Ed
Time to look beyond Apple's excellent job at smoke and mirrors.
Great well done. You weren't in the market for this. The iPhone now has it . Doesn't make the iPhone any worse because it only just has it. Interesting that it will work will any iPhone with the 3.0 software. So all good.
Must I remind you all that the iphone has only been out since 2007. Yes, the iPhone has lacked in some areas and features with other cell phones, but those cell phone such as windows...etc has been in this market for years. The iPhone has surpassed all of them and is leading the way...way to go Apple!
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by gavin_simpson
August 19, 2009 2:53 AM PDT
- It's bl**dy awful. I have a Navigon on my iPhone but ended up buying the West European version of this so here are some immediate conclusions after two days - noting I've no idea how other folks managed to write reviews minutes after it was out?
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by djasonw
August 23, 2009 1:37 PM PDT
- I've compared both programs and Tom Tom is far superior in every way but I live in the states so there is no issue with data accuracy. Navigon SUCKS with respect to GPS acquisition lock and other features. Plus, they abandoned the US market with their PND units. I doubt they'll be supporting the APP if it doesn't sell in profitable numbers. Tom Tom is far superior in every way.
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(12 Comments)The things you waited for like street by street, full postcode search, detailed POI with contact numbers etc are far from complete and frankly DO NOT WORK. It's really bad and I'm shocked by TomTom. It's full postcode search is the worst I've encountered - my 5-year-old building aint there and nor is the entire development I live in which is nine years old by name or postcode. I checked several others and they're missing too. Nor are many streets including London's Albert Embankment footpath opposite Parliament which has been around since what? Oh, yes, Prince Albert so that'll be VICTORIAN times. If you cycle be aware it can figure out cycle routes but unlike other navigational aids can't you tell it you're cycling, walking or anything but driving - subsequently it's useless for helping you out when you're not in the car and WILL get confused. Oh and if you hoped for useful POI stuff it's average:( Finally, the intelligent routing thing where we're all sharing info has you going around in circles - seriously, it kept telling me to turn around and I circled a city block twice before giving up. So, that's a dangerous gimmick and will waste your time. I've removed it and gone back to Navigon which FYI actually does work most of the time bearing in mind iPhone's limitations inside a car Vs proper GPS systems.
I'm mighty suspicious of those positive reviews that were up the second it was released TomTom.