Filed under: Software, Odds and ends, iPhone
It's about time: TomTom submits updated nav app to Apple
Very welcome news for owners of the TomTom iPhone nav app [iTunes link for U.S. version]; the company has announced a free update that includes many of the features that people were craving.- Advanced lane guidance giving drivers extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions. For the first time this is in both landscape and portrait mode.
- Text-to-speech helping motorists to keep their eyes on the road by enabling street names and places to be read aloud as part of the spoken instructions.
- "Help Me" providing direct access to emergency numbers and directions to the nearest emergency providers.
- Updated map and safety camera database (Europe only)
- Customizable audio warnings when approaching safety cameras or driving over the speed limit, increasing driver safety and saving money.
- iPod player control ensuring drivers can conveniently control their music from within the application.
The joker in this particular deck is still the free Google Navigation app, which is trying to get onto the iPhone and will have a gaggle of features no one else is offering.
[via Engadget]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Greg said 11:20AM on 11-13-2009
The Google app might be free, but the tom tom app will work on my iPod touch with the gps cradle... google's app won't.
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Ben said 11:34AM on 11-13-2009
Have you verified that? I haven't seen any reviews state that the cradle will work with the iPhone 2G or the iPod touch and the TomTom site specifically says that the cradle will not work with them at this time.
Greg said 11:38AM on 11-13-2009
@ben
No, I was unaware of that. Originally it was stated that it would. This is pretty disappointing. Although, there is another developer that plans on releasing it for the iPod Touch.
Andrew said 2:01PM on 11-13-2009
I am currently working with TomTom and it has been confirmed through other sources that the TomTom app will work on the iPod Touch with the cradle. You can read more about it here: http://www.slashgear.com/tomtom-car-kit-supports-ipod-touch-other-pnd-apps-1852639/
darrell said 1:30PM on 11-14-2009
@Andrew
is this according to experience? the article you posted is dated in august, and the listing for the cradle on the apple store (and it's buyer comments) do not mention compatibility with the iPod Touch or 1st gen iPhone.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TX672LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0Mw&mco=MTMzODMyOTE
Andrew said 5:41PM on 11-16-2009
@ Darrell This is not according to experience...just from the article that I linked to.
Jon said 11:32AM on 11-13-2009
You know, I almost pulled the trigger on Navigon last night, but didn't. I really love the TomTom interface, but the traffic updates on Navigon are tempting. Disappointing that TomTom didn't include traffic in this update (maybe they never will..). I guess I'll keep waiting to replace my stolen Nuvi
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Noah Ramon said 11:39AM on 11-13-2009
So, they're getting up to speed to where Navigon was in the last revision. Good for them.
I went with Navigon recently, and I've been looking to see what TomTom would do to induce buyers remorse with their package and car kit - 'cause they're a big deal, and they wouldn't just half-ass this one, right? Right?
Evidently, they would.
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josejrp said 11:52AM on 11-13-2009
I have a number of questions about the Google Navigation app... Has it been developed yet? If not, when will it be finished? Has it been submitted to Apple for approval? Will it have to wait for an iPhone OS update (since Google Maps is part of the iPhone OS package)? All I've heard so far is that Google wants to bring it to the iPhone, but basically I have no idea of the timeframe we are talking about...
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Galley said 2:26PM on 11-13-2009
My guess is the Google Nav app could come anywhere in 2010. In other words, who in the heck really knows?
pcdsim said 6:27PM on 11-13-2009
The last and only word on it was on Gizmodo: "...Google implied they are working closely with Apple now on it". Nobody know when it will come out. My best guess would be on iPhone OS 4.0.
FoO said 2:45PM on 11-13-2009
How about the ability to use GPS WITHOUT ANY OTHER RADIO ON? I swear, I got the European version to take with me on a trip but turned off 3g and Edge so I wouldn't get raped for data but alas, it wouldn't work. Ignoring the fact that the app is over a gig and is supposed to contain all the maps you need WHY does it require 3g or Edge to use the GPS receiver?? >_< What a waste of $140
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Douglas said 3:26PM on 11-13-2009
"How about the ability to use GPS without any other radio on?"
Two things, really:
a) TomTom does work without available 3G/WiFi.
b) How are you turning off 3G/Edge?
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Fred said 5:33PM on 11-13-2009
The only update they really need is a massive price drop. But as with all things on the App Store it'll happen with time.
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David said 4:50PM on 11-15-2009
Ok, something that I am really unsure off here and would love it if someone could clear this up?
How is the Google app going to work outside of built up areas, the UK has good mobile data coverage and granted 3G/UTMS works well on the M roads at sub 70 MPH as we have great infrastructure on them but I really don't see it holding up in our windy B roads. I hear AT&T is pretty awful, what happens if you are in a rural area in the states?
Are Google planning on allowing a map download like TomTom then just supplying poi and map updates? Its just I haven't seen anything about this or people questioning its reliability compared to the paid solutions.
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David said 11:20AM on 11-16-2009
Anyone have tested the Magellan GPS? I always like their GPS and if the i-phone version is like their GPS I use... It could beat all the other outthere.
http://www.magellangps.com/iphone/iphoneapp.asp
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