Filed under: Accessories, Hardware, Peripherals, Odds and ends, iPhone
TomTom announces iPhone car kit pricing
The TomTom navigation app [iTunes link] for iPhone has been available since August of this year, but many TUAW readers have told us they're holding off on a purchasing decision until they can see how the announced iPhone car kit enhances the use of the app.The car kit, which includes a secondary GPS receiver and speaker as well as a mount for holding the iPhone, is scheduled to ship in the U.S. in October. TomTom International B.V. has announced the pricing for the mount, which has a suggested retail price of US$119.95 or €99.95.
Several GPS blogs are already questioning the pricing, noting that the total price for the kit and app will be US$219.94, more than some much more capable personal navigation devices. On the other hand, the car kit isn't patented, so other companies may come out with less expensive options in short order.
[via GPSTracklog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
macserv said 1:07PM on 9-25-2009
I'm really hoping they've left the part unannounced where you get a voucher for a free download of the app with purchase of the car kit. Otherwise, the price is bogus.
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Nicholas Moline said 1:11PM on 9-25-2009
They didn't... when the European price for the car kit was announced they had a followup clarification announcement that the price did not include the app
Tracy said 2:07PM on 9-25-2009
I agree that if the car kit included the app, it would be more realistic. But I am definitely not shelling out $220 to make my iPhone a GPS unit. The $30-$50 price range seems more reasonable for nav software to me, and maybe $20-$30 for a car kit (more maybe if it had fancy features).
Lee said 1:08PM on 9-25-2009
Hi, If I can't use it with the Switcheasy Serpent case on my iPhone then its no good is it, as I'm not taking my phone out of its case 2 times a day...
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Ken said 1:10PM on 9-25-2009
What would be the point of buying the app and cradle is for 1/2 the price I can get just as capable machine? It seems unreasonable to expect the consumer to pay more, when really the product seems to be worth quite a bit less?
I guess it comes down that they are trying to play off the apple tax, and are expecting us to jump on it regardless of price. I think they will be sadly mistaken upon it's launch.
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jack sutton said 1:11PM on 9-25-2009
I hope other companies copy this device and offer it for less. I want one for my Navigon system!!!
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totoro said 1:19PM on 9-25-2009
I think TomTom is really going to have to articulate how much better the "secondary GPS" unit is, and what it adds to the experience.
And if they play up the importance/necessity of that secondary GPS (besides the obvious of adding GPS to the Touch), then it calls into question the usability of their App Store App without the cradle.
Maybe they need a 3rd product for just the iPhone-which dispenses of the secondary GPS, and brings the price down a bit.
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macserv said 1:29PM on 9-25-2009
The iPhone's built in GPS chip and Maps app were able to navigate me and my best man all over northeast Ohio for my wedding this past weekend. The software wasn't as nice as my Garmin Nuvi (turning instructions, 3-d map, text-to-speech), but the little blue dot didn't have any problem tracking us. I question the value of the second GPS chip, especially at that price.
Some plastic, a suction cup, a couple joints, and a GPS chip do NOT add up to $130. If the cost to build one of those is more than twenty bucks, I'd be stunned. This is TomTom taking us to the cleaners, plain and simple. I don't know if that kind of crap flies in Europe, but it sure won't here.
macserv said 1:34PM on 9-25-2009
I'm sorry... I meant $120... Don't mean to be rougher on TomTom than I already was.
James Donevan said 1:25PM on 9-25-2009
" On the other hand, the car kit isn't patented"
Actually the demonstration mount we've been using shows a US patent number in the moulding. Flip it over and take a close look inside the plastic rim if you have a review sample. I'm no expert on patents so it could apply to only one of the components but it does preclude anyone making and selling a copy.
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Eric said 1:26PM on 9-25-2009
These people are crazy.
Why in the world would I pay $220 for this when I can pay $100 for the tomtom ONE, which is probably a better GPS device?? Convenience of having a single unit as a phone and GPS? Maybe for a $20-30 premium, sure, but not at this price! It's not like I have a desire to carry a turn-by-turn GPS in my pocket everywhere I go. That stays in the car. For on-the-go GPS, the iPhone maps app works just fine thank you very much.
So tomtom, thanks, but no thanks.
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Cy Starkman said 10:11PM on 9-27-2009
I agree.
I have been waiting to find out the pricing of the unit before buying the app.
Now I want neither, in Australia the app and what I suspect the converted price of the unit will be combined will cost more than an iPhone (not an unlocked one)
L. Monahan said 1:38PM on 9-25-2009
I just want a cradle like this for everyday use, with or without the GPS. I do not have a vehicle with a bluetooth receiver for hands free calling nor am I going to wear one of those ridiculous looking ear pieces. I've also been frustrated with my Griffin car charger that the phone doesn't recognize and cuts off the sound so I don't hear it when it rings. I have to carry it in my lap or wedge it under my leg with vibrate turned on to know when I get a call.
This cradle is a catch all that I would love, but I'm not going to pay that much for it.
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timejumperone said 1:46PM on 9-25-2009
Doesn't Apple's fiscal year end in September? If so, wouldn't having all those Amazon.com pre-orders filled be better for Apple's bottom line?
timejumperone said 1:51PM on 9-25-2009
Sorry about the previous post, a glitch from Firefox went into automatic return.
What I was commenting on was: a handsfree bluetooth speakerphone that I use (since you don't need GPS) is Supertooth 3 by BlueAnt;
http://www.amazon.com/BlueAnt-Supertooth-Bluetooth-Speakerphone-Black/dp/B001953NGS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=wireless&qid=1253900681&sr=8-1
$85.00 or cheaper ; read the reviews. Works with my iPhone 3G, got one for my wife also.
Binja said 1:47PM on 9-25-2009
I have both the TomTom and Navigon apps. The TomTom is trash.
Get Navigon.
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stainboy said 1:55PM on 9-25-2009
TomTom is trash? could you explain why? i haven't bought a GPS app yet and would really like to hear what you don't like about TomTom.
Eduardo Sanchez said 1:48PM on 9-25-2009
I really don't see the need for the TomTom iPhone car kit. My iPhone 3GS does *really* well with its internal GPS receiver.
Here's my setup:
1. Griffin WindowSeat iPhone windshield mount $12.99 amazon.com
2. Kensington LiquidAUX 1G/3G iPhone/iPod charger + aux audio out $38.68 amazon.com
So, for $52 I have the same benefits of the TomTom kit (minus 2nd GPS chip that the TomTom kit has):
a. iPhone mounted on windshield in portrait or landscape
b. constant charging
c. line-out audio that plugs into my car radio's aux input
d. GPS instructions spoken through my car speakers
e. music/podcasts played through car speakers (paused whenever TomTom interrupts)
f. steering wheel mounted iPhone/iPod remote control (play/pause/fast-forward/rewind)
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Mr Yuk said 1:51PM on 9-25-2009
Do any of these cradles double as a handsfree? Seems like one device could do it all.
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scw said 4:25PM on 9-25-2009
Can no one read and comprehend?
The TomTom cradle includes bluetooth handsfree speakerphone, so if you are looking at $85 for that alone, the cradle/charging/GPS should be worth another $40...