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tomtom posts

The game has changed

by Chris Ziegler posted Oct 28th 2009 @ 12:52PM

TomTom iPhone kit now being sold through US Apple Store

by Ross Miller posted Oct 25th 2009 @ 5:07PM

American TomTom loyalists, we know what you've been thinking: how dare those fine folks across the pond get first dibs to pick up the iPhone car kit? Well, steam to yourself no longer, it's now for sale online via Apple's US store for the previously-disclosed price of $119.95. Alas, no software's included, but you've had enough time to cope with that. Also, it's iPhone 3G and 3GS only -- iPod touch need not apply.

[Via App Advice]

Android rumor rodeo, starring Sprint's first 4G phone, a delayed Eclair, INQ Mobile's 2010 handset, and more

by Ross Miller posted Oct 13th 2009 @ 8:29PM

The gang at Android and Me seemed to have made quite a number of acquaintances on their sojourn through CTIA and MotoDev Summit. Specifically, there were three people along the way they reportedly talked to that led to the most tantalizing of rumors. First down the rabbit hole is a Sprint developer who claimed the first 4G (i.e. WiMAX) phone will be an Android device, which honestly wouldn't be all that shocking given the company's love for and recent history with the OS. Next up is a Samsung exec that intimated we shouldn't expect Android 2.0 "Eclair" until Q2 2010 -- interesting in its own right, but looks like those whispers of Sholes launching with anything beyond Donut isn't gonna come to fruition now. Our third definitive individual is an INQ head employee who let slip its handsets would be finding its way onto a US carrier's network in 2010 and would have a "pimped out" customized Android skin chock full of social networking the likes of Spotify, Skype, Facebook, etc. The rest of its report is much ado about nothing -- no LG android phone this year, no TomTom app this year, and no standalone Google Maps navigation software. Yeah, that's quite a number of Android rumors to digest, and unfortunately nothing definitive. Looking forward to the future?

[Via i4u]

TomTom's iPhone car kit gets taken for a stationary test drive

by Donald Melanson posted Oct 7th 2009 @ 6:24AM

It's been a long trip filled with hopes and confusion, but TomTom's iPhone car kit is now finally nearing an actual release (minus the bundled navigation app), and a few lucky folks are beginning to get their hands on it. While they unfortunately didn't get to take it for an actual test drive, the folks at Recombu did get to spend a bit of time with the device and deliver a few initial impressions, noting that the kit feels solid and easily accommodates your iPhone without too much effort. Interestingly, the site also says that TomTom told it that the kit will also work with "any sat-nav iPhone app," and that TomTom's own navigation app (which has apparently already sold thousands of copies) will be getting free updates. Head on past the break for a brief (and we mean brief) video.

Update: Exact sales figures removed upon TomTom's request.

Continue reading TomTom's iPhone car kit gets taken for a stationary test drive

iPhone accessories can download iPhone apps to your iPhone memory

by Tim Stevens posted Sep 30th 2009 @ 7:17AM

iPhone accessories automatically downloading iPhone apps to your iPhone memory

Among the many minor changes included in the 3.0 release of the iPhone OS was one that would enable those myriad of iPhone accessories to work more closely with software. That is to say, to make the plugging in of one result in in a prompting to download the other. The first such piece of hardware is the latest Griffin iTrip, which, when connected, raises the dialog shown above. You can of course say "No" if you don't feel like playing along, but when it comes to accessories like the TomTom car kit we're thinking you'll probably be missing out if you don't go along with the flow.

[Via AppleInsider]

TomTom car kit for iPhone will run $120

by Laura June posted Sep 28th 2009 @ 3:35PM

We've been waiting quite a while to hear pricing info for the much-anticipated TomTom car kit for the iPhone. The kit, which will be sold separately from the navigational iPhone app, will be available in October (that's almost now!!). While we still don't have full details on what the whole package will include, it's officially going to run you $119.95 (or 99.99 if you pay in Euros). Check out the teaser video after the break to tide you over until the awesome, GPS-infused release date is upon us.

[Via GPSTracklog]

TomTom clears up iPhone car kit slip: £99.99 for the hardware alone, app sold separately

by Darren Murph posted Sep 24th 2009 @ 12:27PM

Oh, brother. TomTom just hit us up with the real details on its iPhone car kit slip this morning, and we've got a feeling you won't like what it has to say. It confessed that the posting was indeed a mistake, and thus, the pricing was also incorrect. If you'll recall (c'mon, it wasn't that long ago), the Apple store listing explained that the £99.99 car kit included the iPhone app, when in reality, that price definitely does not include the app. Jump on past the break for TomTom's official statement, which now curiously states that the "iPhone 2G" will be compatible with the car kit, yet doesn't mention the iPod touch at all.

Continue reading TomTom clears up iPhone car kit slip: £99.99 for the hardware alone, app sold separately

TomTom iPhone Car Kit up for £100 UK pre-order, includes navigation app

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 24th 2009 @ 3:59AM

The TomTom iPhone Car Kit has just gone up for pre-order on the Apple UK store -- we presume it will go global in the hours to come. It'll cost 5 pence shy of £100 and ships in 2-3 weeks with the dock and adhesive disk in the box. Better yet, for that price you also get the £60 navigation app for the UK/Ireland. Then there's this little note:

"The Car Kit dock is compatible with all iPhone models, but the Car Kit app only works with iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G"

So what about the iPod touch compatibility as claimed in the TomTom FAQ? Or is that just a gaming device now?

Update: Just hit mainland Europe for €99,95.

Update 2: Oops! Looks like the page was pulled -- back to waiting! See the original after the break.

[Via Recombu]

Continue reading TomTom iPhone Car Kit up for £100 UK pre-order, includes navigation app

TomTom's Car Kit for iPhone will be your co-pilot in October

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 4th 2009 @ 2:31PM

Well, it just passed through the FCC last week, and it looks like TomTom itself is now finally getting a bit more specific about when its new Car Kit for iPhone will start shipping. While it's still not providing an exact date just yet, the company's newly-updated FAQ now says that the device will be available directly from TomTom sometime this October. What's more, the company also says that the kit (which also works with the iPod touch) will be initially sold without the TomTom iPhone app, contrary to what was previously rumored, although it's not clear if a bundle with the app will also be available at a later date.

[Via NaviGadget]

TomTom's Car Kit for iPhone hits the FCC

by Donald Melanson posted Aug 28th 2009 @ 12:19PM

Still not convinced of the benefits of TomTom's upcoming Car Kit for iPhone? Then perhaps a little FCC approval will change your mind. In addition to offering a bit more reassurance that the thing is actually coming, the new listing also reveals a few more details than TomTom's been willing to dish out, including the fact that the mount / dock / charger packs some Bluetooth of its own for hands-free calling, and its very own SiRFstar GPS chipset to give you some better accuracy compared to the standalone TomTom iPhone app. Still looking for more? You can get a glimpse of the device's manual, some internal and external shots, and slew of test reports to keep you busy by hitting up the read link below.

TomTom's iPhone car kit promo video is enticing, but still no mention of price or release date

by Ross Miller posted Aug 22nd 2009 @ 3:46AM

Not to knock cellophane tape as a method for in-car iPhone navigation, but if you want to use the new TomTom app in a more proper setting, you'll want the official TomTom car kit. In addition to enhancing the GPS signal and charging your iPhone, it's also got hands-free dialing and a speaker that's (presumably) better than the phone solo for giving directions. At a rumored price of just under $200 with software, it's not a bad deal if you were planning to shell out $100 for the US maps, anyway. We're still on the fence, but the hypnotic soundtrack of the promotion video is admittedly alluring. See for yourself after the break.

[Thanks, Arthur]

Continue reading TomTom's iPhone car kit promo video is enticing, but still no mention of price or release date

TomTom navigation for iPhone 3G and 3GS arrives (update: video!)

by Thomas Ricker posted Aug 17th 2009 @ 1:34AM

True, it's not the first app offering turn-by-turn driving instructions for the iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS -- but it is from TomTom, an industry heavy-weight that is finally delivering on years of rumor and speculation. After starting with New Zealand a few hours ago, the iTunes App Store is now populated with region specific TomTom apps for NZ ($95), Australia ($80), US and Canada ($100), and Western Europe ($140). If that sounds expensive... it is; dedicated TomTom navigators start at $120. In other words, this isn't one of those knee-jerk 99 cent App Store purchases. Naturally, that price does not include the announced TomTom iPhone car kit (rumored to cost £113.85 (about $194) with bundled mapping software) that mounts and charges your iPhone 3G or 3GS while enhancing its GPS performance, speaker, and microphone. Our advice: wait for the reviews before dedicating your non multi-tasking iPhone to the dashboard for navigation duties.

Update: Recombu took the software for a spin and seem duly impressed by their ability to navigate streets with an iPhone taped to the dash (not a joke). They say that when a call comes in, the TomTom app "turns off but restarts as soon as you finish the call." See the video overview after the break.

Gallery: TomTom for iPhone 3G and 3GS hits the App Store

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read [Warning: iTunes link]

Continue reading TomTom navigation for iPhone 3G and 3GS arrives (update: video!)

TomTom's iPhone car kit and navigation software priced overseas

by Darren Murph posted Aug 6th 2009 @ 4:44AM

TomTom told us that its long-awaited iPhone navigation app and in-car mounting kit would be landing "this summer," and at least on our watch, summertime is quickly drawing to a close. If a pre-order listing over at Handtec is to be believed, it looks as if the outfit is exceedingly close to finally having both the software and hardware ready for shipping. The £113.85 ($194) asking price includes a suction mount for your iPhone as well as the mapping software, though there's no indication of exactly how much the app and hardware will run by themselves. Of course, until the iPhone supports multitasking, using it as a dedicated PND is still a risky move; one stray call during a pivotal moment in your travels and you can consider yourself lost. Oh, and then there's the fact that this thing has a TomTom logo on it -- if the iPhone app functions anything like the company's high-end GO 740 LIVE, we'd say you're better off asking Mr. Gas Station attendant (or buying a different brand).

[Via DaniWeb]

Continue reading TomTom's iPhone car kit and navigation software priced overseas

TomTom speaks up about iPhone situation

by Darren Murph posted Jun 13th 2008 @ 3:49PM

As if the iPhone 3G launch could really have any more misinformation floating around, we've got yet another tidbit that needs clarification. Shortly after Apple's second iPhone was announced, out flew a report from Reuters suggesting that TomTom already had iPhone navigation software ready to go. French site Mac Generation was able to get ahold of TomTom spokesperson Yann Lafargue, and here's the gist of what he had to say. First off, the aforementioned Reuters statement was said to be inaccurate, though he did affirm that an iPhone version of the software was running in the labs and working "pretty well." Unfortunately, the question of "will you guys ship this for the iPhone?" was answered with a "We don't know" style response, but he did clarify that the questionable SDK verbiage we saw wasn't an obstacle at all. Check out the full interview in the read link below -- hope you're fluent in French and / or machine translation!

iPhone SDK agreement forbids real-time route guidance, dancing, rock'n'roll

by Nilay Patel posted Jun 11th 2008 @ 11:03AM

Apple's always been known for its amusingly-conservative disclaimers (you can't use iTunes to "design a nuclear weapon," for example) and it looks like the products-liability team at the Fruit has had their way with the iPhone SDK agreement as well, inserting a provision specifically prohibiting developers from creating apps "marketed for real time route guidance; automatic or autonomous control of vehicles, aircraft, or other mechanical devices; dispatch or fleet management; or emergency or life-saving purposes." Yep, that's right -- no real-time route guidance (or, uh, fleet management) allowed. That'd be a huge bummer -- except, of course, that TomTom has already come out and said that its app is ready to go on the iPhone. Assuming TomTom used the SDK and not the jailbreak toolchain, we'd bet that Apple is just covering its ass here and that it's worked out an agreement with TomTom to pass along any liability -- you can bet Steve doesn't want to get sued when iPhone users start careening into sandpiles and into oncoming trains. We'll see for sure when the App Store finally launches, though -- until then, it's all just cheap speculation.

Update: Astute commenter Austin points out that these terms are copied almost word-for-word from the Google Maps API terms -- which means that TomTom and others are probably free to use their own maps to do real-time guidance.

[Via BoingBoing Gadgets]