Other shoe drops: TomTom cuts price of US and Canada GPS app by 30%

It was just last week that TomTom offered a new version of its nav app for the US (minus Canadian data) for $49.99US [iTunes link]. That didn't make people who bought the full version for a hundred bucks and never needed the Canadian info anyway filled with joy. Now, TomTom has dropped the price of the version that does include both the U.S. and Canada to $69.99 [iTunes link] until December 28, making those earlier customers even more unhappy.

Price cuts, of course, are a way of life, and no one should be surprised that competition drives down prices. In my view, most of the iPhone GPS navigators are priced too high. I think somewhere between $35 and $50 is about right considering that you are providing all the hardware. Hardware solutions have really plummeted in price, with many selling for close to $100.00. The advantage of the iPhone solution is there is only one device to carry, but navigation stops when a call comes in.

I'll have a roundup of my favorite GPS apps in a couple of days, but if you are ready to go a 30% discount on the TomTom is a pretty good deal, especially if you need to navigate in both Canada and the U.S. The well regarded Navigon app [iTunes link] is selling for $89.99, but watch for sales on that product as well. I know a lot of people are holding out for the free Google Navigator for the iPhone, but there is no guarantee that it will ever hit the App Store.

Thanks to Steve for the tip!

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Source: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tomtom-u-s-canada/id326075661…

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Odds and ends iPhone iPod touch

It was just last week that TomTom offered a new version of its nav app for the US (minus Canadian data) for $49.99US [iTunes link]. That...

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punkassjim

"That didn't make people [â€¦] filled with joy." is perhaps the best sentence you've ever written. Kudos.

December 14 2009 at 4:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

rekkart

Does the navigation seriously stop when you get a call? So if you are going into an area talking to the person you are driving to visit using the navigation, you can't do that? Seriously? Can someone verify that?

December 14 2009 at 3:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to rekkart's comment

Jon

I use the Navigon app and and a headset when driving in the car. Navigation temporarily stops when a call comes in. I can still talk on the phone and use the app at the same time by hitting the home button and reopening the app.

December 14 2009 at 3:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

charles

@rekkart: The navigation does pause when receiving a call due to the nature of the iPhone. It automatically resumes after you are finished.

December 16 2009 at 6:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jeff

I'm fine with my TomTom dock and the standard google maps software that comes with the iPhone. If google releases turn by turn, I'll update to that. I would get a turn by turn app if they guaranteed updates for life, traffic, and less than $30. I seem to get all that in the standard map app.

On a side note, I have noticed that while running the map app with my 3Gs and TomTom dock, the charger will only charge the battery about 1% per hour. It barely keeps up with the power drain. I am in MA where there is plenty of 3G coverage.

December 14 2009 at 3:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Rashad

I usually BUY my apps but I'm using a cracked version until Google releases their free one, we'll see how cheap TomTom's version gets then.

December 14 2009 at 2:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to Rashad's comment

Jeff

Are you using a cracked version of TomTom? If so what do you think it is worth?

December 14 2009 at 3:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Rashad

Not $99.99...I would pay $20, since Google's GPS app will eventually make it's way into the app store I might as well not even buy it anymore.

December 14 2009 at 3:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

FightTheFuture

makes sense to me. i'm sure when Google Navigation comes to the iPhone everyone will simply dismiss GPS software based on screenshots alone.

by the way, has anyone at TUAW tried the Google Navigation on the Droid or Eris? i'd like to see what impressions you have - if it is up to par with the navigon, magellan, or TomTom offerings for the iPhone or a standalone unit like a Garmin Nuvi.

December 14 2009 at 2:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply