Dirty Little Secret: TomTom car adapter "should" work with iPod Touch as well

Mon, 07/13/2009 - 11:15am — Seth Weintraub

Macworld last week got a few secrets out of Tom Murray, Vice President of Market Development for TomTom. The meat of it was that the TomTom's Car kit wasn't just going to just be a dumb plastic car mount for the iPhone. The device will also have a dedicated speaker and GPS (and maybe some gyroscopes). We also know from the article that TomTom will download maps onto the device (no need for 3G/EDGE), albeit with an eye toward saving space.

iPhone owners will be able to purchase and use the TomTom software and maps without the Car Kit hardware accessory; however, the Car Kit for iPhone was designed to enhance the software by addressing several of the limitations mentioned above. For starters, the Car Kit includes a separate GPS receiver that performs better than the one built into the iPhone; Murray said this receiver is closer to what you’d find in a dedicated GPS unit. The TomTom app uses this receiver when your iPhone is docked in the Car Kit, allowing for improved real-time navigation, especially in cities with large buildings or in locations with lots of trees or other natural obstacles. The Car Kit also includes a built-in speaker that provides better audio quality and considerably louder output, making it easier to hear spoken directions.

Interestingly, this knocks out all of the advantages of the iPhone over the iPod touch. Theoretically, you could even use a Gen-1 iPod touch (external speaker) running the 3.0 firmware with the device. There is no specific word from TomTom on compatibility, but there is no reason why it wouldn't work with the iPod Touch.

The TomTom iPhone Kit will be ready “later this summer” accrording to TomTom. No price has yet been set.

( Filed Under:

iPhone - iPod

)

Comments

That's why I come to 9to5mac

Mon, 07/13/2009 - 11:47am — 9to5Mac BoobToob (not verified)

Shit like this...all of this info has been available forever and you guys put it together.

Using iPod for TomTom

Mon, 07/13/2009 - 11:51am — Colin F (not verified)

The only thing the iPod touch won't be able to do is send data. Some TomTom services (such as TomTom Traffic, and their Live services) make use of a data connection.

So it basically just uses the

Mon, 07/13/2009 - 11:56am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

So it basically just uses the iphone as a screen?

Yeah, that's what it sounds

Mon, 07/13/2009 - 12:32pm — Justin (not verified)

Yeah, that's what it sounds like to me. Why not just go out and buy a real GPS unit then?

This probably wouldn't appeal

Mon, 07/13/2009 - 4:27pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

This probably wouldn't appeal to anyone other then a person who already has an iPhone and is considering getting a GPS unit. Or someone who wants to have 1 less device.

I use to have a phone, mp3 player, gps, portable gaming system

i now have just an iPhone

gen-1?

Mon, 07/13/2009 - 12:27pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

don't you mean a 2nd gen ipod touch?

No.

Mon, 07/13/2009 - 5:29pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

No.

Yeah, that's what it sounds

Mon, 07/13/2009 - 1:02pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

Yeah, that's what it sounds like to me. Why not just go out and buy a real GPS unit then?

-Because this is probably cheaper since they dont have to include a screen or anything.

don't you mean a 2nd gen ipod touch?

-didnt they also say the bracket device has an external speaker on it, therefore even tho the 1G doesnt have a speaker, it could still be used?

Getting a dedicated GPS Nav unit

Mon, 07/13/2009 - 1:36pm — Ryan Gray (not verified)

Although it seems like getting a separate nav unit would be good, this does have some advantages. This unit will always be able to access your contacts addresses and anything you receive while out and about to use as a destination. It will also have nearly constant Internet access for data without having to have a system in the car. It takes the place of a hands free audio device, a car charger and a car mount. Perhaps a weak one is that a thief could recognize this is for an iPhone, and that you will likely have taken it with you rather than just hid it in the glovebox. Of course, if this unit winds up costing about $199, then he might just steal it anyway.

If a thief sees any

Tue, 07/14/2009 - 1:44pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

If a thief sees *any* indication that there may be a satnav then the least you'll get away with is a smashed window. Why do you think there are all the police warnings to clean your windows and not leave any sucker marks from satnavs?

The cost of the thing is irrelevant.. a thief knows that there are lot of morons out there who leave satnavs, phones, etc. in the car when they leave it so they'll break in on the offchance unless the interior of your car is completely vanilla.

Compass?

Mon, 07/13/2009 - 2:06pm — Rick DeNatale (not verified)

I wonder if it will also have a compass, which would also be nice for use iPhone 3G folk.

I can tell u from my 3GS

Tue, 07/14/2009 - 12:05am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

I can tell u from my 3GS there is no way u can use the compass for directions in the car anyway.. keeps popping up that there is too much interference and that u have to recalibrate it while u in the car.. at the end of the day theres alot of metal around u in there. Works awsome while u walk tho.

Why Not?

Mon, 07/13/2009 - 9:56pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

"Yeah, that's what it sounds like to me. Why not just go out and buy a real GPS unit then? "

For one, the iPhone/iPod Touch is allot (and I mean allot) less bulky and is sexier than your usual GPS unit.

You take one device with you when you leave the car, not two in the iPhone and the GPS unit.

As mentioned it will be intergrate with your contacts etc. already on the iPhone, or in the cloud somewhere.

what does allot mean?

Tue, 07/14/2009 - 8:22am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

what does allot mean?

iPod Touch is good, iPhone is better

Tue, 07/14/2009 - 12:32am — AWx (not verified)

Here, the iPhone/iTouch is not just "a screen", it's also a powerfull device, able to render dynamic and beautiful screens and able to quickly recalculate a route if you missed that left turn. I doubt any GPS manufacturer wants to put a dedicated GPU in its unit, raising its cost.

The main difference in using an iTouch instead of an iPhone in this configuration (TomTom GPS included cradle), is the difference between old and modern GPS Unit. Current top of the shelf units have a live OTA connection to retrieve up to date traffic, road closing (construction, event, weather, ...) while older don't or relied on BlueTooth modem. By using an iPhone, you can also use your integrated unlimited data plan while your carrier might charge you for modem, if it's available.

Modern GPS units don't charge

Tue, 07/14/2009 - 1:26pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

Modern GPS units don't charge for data either. Neither did you get charged extra when linking over bluetooth (it's only about 5k a minute or something stupid anyway.. even with a crap contract you wouldn't go over your allowance).

However Tomtom *do* charge for providing the service, and if they do make it available (IMO unlikely because they want to shift their high end devices - TT differentiate on features, not hardware) iphone users will pay like everyone else.

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Tue, 07/14/2009 - 1:47am — replica rolex (not verified)

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With prices for a stand-alone

Tue, 07/14/2009 - 5:54am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

With prices for a stand-alone GPS as low as $69, why bother with Tom-Tom on the iPhone?

Read above - contact

Tue, 07/14/2009 - 9:01am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

Read above - contact integration, plays music, single device, not left in your car to be stolen, etc.

You'll have to carry the

Tue, 07/14/2009 - 1:22pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

You'll have to carry the mount around, unless you're in the habit of broadcasting 'I have a satnav! check the glove box!' whenever you park. That thing is *way* too obtrusive to be left.

A standard tomtom can do all of what you describe. Plus they have text to speech which the iphone will not have (according to all the specs I've read). Without that it's no sale for a great many people.

There's also the wrinkle that it's illegal to operate a phone when driving in many countries. It's not (yet) illegal to operate a dedicated satnav.

Re: using on a Touch. Some

Tue, 07/14/2009 - 8:25am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

Re: using on a Touch. Some Apps from iTunes will not install on the Touch, particularly if they require a feature (GPS, Camera, bluetooth) that the Touch lacks. We may find, when the time comes, that Itunes won't install the Tom Tom App on either generation Touch. Apple may want to reserve it as an iPhone only app.

Not on issue

Tue, 07/14/2009 - 9:00am — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

Apple doesn't decide the requirements of the app. The vendor does. Tom-tom will simply say it requires an iPodTouch or iPhone and it will install.

Now we know...

Tue, 07/14/2009 - 9:07am — Lenardius (not verified)

...why the Tom Tom App hasn't been realesed. They are waiting till the launch of the next iPod Touch generation.

If tomtom release it of course..

Tue, 07/14/2009 - 1:36pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

Tomtom are renowned for:

(a) Announcing a product, including price, then never releasing it (eg. TT x10 car mount).
(b) Announcing a product, giving full specs, then pulling the product and including it into a higher priced device instead to make more money (TT Live).
(d) having the *worst* and I mean the *worst* support on the planet - even worse than phone companies.. even worse than AOL. I'd rather have my eyes gouged out by spoons than speak to their support again.

*if* this is released (and TBH I wouldn't take this announcement as any confirmation, given their history) it'll probably be setup to price gouge eg. $299 plus a monthly fee.

Sygic

Tue, 07/14/2009 - 3:44pm — 9to5Mac Noob (not verified)

I got sick of waiting for TomTom. I need a GPS for a trip to Melbourne in a couple of weeks. Bit the bullet and bought the Sygic app for Australia & New Zealand.

Comparing it to TomTom I used on my HTC WinMo it is just as good, even better in some details. The maps look cleaner and lane assist and speed limits for the road you are traveling on are nice features

All in all the iphone wont be replacement a dedicated GPS (bigger screen and better GPS but for the casual user the iPhone and Sygic are a great team.

I am also guessing the price of Sygic ($80 AU) is going to be a lot less than what TomTom will eventually ask, especially with the cradle.