TomTom for U.S. and Canada updated with real time traffic and more

If you live in Canada, don't bother buying this for real time traffic.. You have to do some serious reading through the description to find out traffic only works in the US.. I found out after I bought it, luckily I was able to get a refund.

Looks like there is a 1.3 update here in Australia too. Happy days.

I am impressed with the update guys. The made the UI more sleek overall, the music fade is now really nice and elegant, and the traffic seems to be a really nice implementation. Some are complaining about $20/year for traffic, but I actually think that is reasonable (especially for someone who travels Southern CA a lot). Also, TomTom normally charges $10/month for traffic on their stand-alones.

I have the car-kit, and honestly say these purchases have been well worth it. We travel long distances a lot and it is totally great.

One touted new feature is "music fading." Previously the app would pause playback. Now it's described as follows:

"Listen to your music continually while navigating with TomTom. Music fading will gently reduce volume while TomTom gives you driving instructions, and will return to normal volume between prompts."

Can someone tell me if this is automatic, or if it is an option? I'm using TomTom 1.2 and I actually LIKE having TomTom pause the playback rather than fading it, because 95% of the time I am listening to audiobooks, not music. Fading playback would cause me to miss part of the audiobook, and rewinding to listen to the audiobook again is neither practical nor safe while driving.

I hope there is still an option to pause playback rather than use the new "music fading." I'm reluctant to download the 1.27GB update and find out, because then I'd have to "downgrade" and lose my preferences and saved destinations.

I was one of the earlier adapter of Navigon but now
I have doubts. I've used it the last 3 times I was out of town and every time it took me a bogus location in the middle of no where. Was able to find my way with yahoo maps. Will try to get my money back!!!
May buy the Tomtom if I do but I do not like the idea of paying for anything for a limited time.

It is still missing the Homer Simpson voice. Until they can provide parity with their other products by providing the Homer Simpson voice skin this will remain a sub-par GPS at best. What are they thinking at TomTom?

" ...and the ability to add locations from other applications ..."

Any idea what other applications they are referring too? I sure can't find any.

I have both apps and have been using Navigon Grudgingly because of the traffic.

I've had the chance to play with the updated TomTom app and have to say that now it will be replacing Navigon on my iPhone's dock.

1. Traffic is definitely more detailed than the the one in Navigon. It is identical to the traffic on routes.tomtom.com

2. Navigon still doesn't have the ability to select a road from the route to avoid. MAJOR annoyance if you know certain road on your route is closed/congested whatever.

I just bought Navigon last last after struggling between the few reviews of the latest apps of both. The people who liked Navigon, reallly loved it. and feature parity still made me want it.

To be fair, the statement "those yearly fees" about TomTom is incorrect. Neither TomTom or Navigon have announced how they will handle map upgrades / costs. Currently they said map updates will be addressed in the future. However, TomTom's recent 1.3 release included new maps for free.

Why do you say the app REQUIRES a car kit? Sure, it's probably nicer with a car kit, but I've used it fine without a car kit.

The only crazy thing is that iPhone drains battery faster than the charger can charge it, so even if your iPhone is plugged in while driving, prepare to run out of juice.