TomTom UK and Ireland Apple added a true GPS pick-up to the iPhone more than a year ago, but it's taken that long for TomTom to release an application to make use of it. Even now, it's not a complete offering. The software is there, but the car kit - once the sort of add-on bundled with applications, but now sold separately - isn't available and its …
First off, let me admit I am a TomTom user on other devices, and I really like their software and would recommend it to those with a phone without an option. But, the iBone does come with a pretty decent mapping tool, GoogleMaps, which I have used a few times with other people's iBones, so I am puzzled as to why people would feel the need to go out and download this rather limited version of the TomTom experience. Surely the vanilla GoogleMaps app gives just as good a service, and even has some bonuses in location pics and satellite imagery? Or is it that TomTom and Apple are banking on the average iBoner having more maony than sense?
I bought this when it came out, it's perfunctory but missing a fair few expected features. I'm about to go on holiday in Devon for 2 weeks and I've dumped my Navman from the car. While it's a better satnav overall, it's a minor pain to have to put it out of sight or take it with me every time I park the car. At least with the iPhone it's something I can slip into a pocket when I reach my destination.
The TomTom software is OK, it doesn't know a few recent roads in my area so I would expect TomTom to update the maps for free given that they're not current. Overall it feels a bit rushed (presumably to meet the summer deadline they announced at the 3GS launch) but it does the job. Graphically it's a bit plain too, some satellite imagery would be nice.
The other problem is the lack of a cradle, so far balancing on the dash has worked but it would be nice to have the cradle with built-in charging and FM transmitter they've announced.
Hmm apart from a few clunky menu options Copilot would seem to be the better option. It's much cheaper (£25.99 by memory), has lane assist for motorways, speed camera locations (with free updates for about 2 years), fuel prices and more.
Routing is fast and as accurate as the TomTom.
It looks a rush job to me.
The shame was that Tom Tom demo vids showed iPhone sitting in its own dock with its additional position locators.
Software on its own is, well, sort of interesting.
The lack of hardware, means to manage the software and means to update information with a device that is already telecoms savvy looks far too much like an excellent opportunity missed.
Will the mount provide TMC information ?
I've read elsewhere that Apple's choice to disallow mulitasking means that, for example, if you're coming up to a complex junction and a friend calls you, the navigation will cease while the call is being taken and re-commences when the call ends. If you're on a Motorway and miss your junction because of a call you could waste quite a bit of fuel.
I'm sure the Andriod version will be much better in this regard...
I've used GPS systems for a few years now (started with ViaMichelin on a Palm handheld) but lately I've only used TomTom kit as it's so intuitive to use and reliable.
However, I was disappointed at the high cost of adding it to the iPhone so I bought CoPilot instead (it's about £26.99 from memory) and it's a very decent app with some nice features.
We still have our standalone TomTom for foreign journeys so the iPhone one is more for occasional use but I'm happy using either.
is a much better buy, IMHO.
Just did a 3 hour journey using it, spot on for every juction and speed camera - and still have a fair bit of battery left. (still in the white)
It might just be me, but I think the map/screens look a bit nicer than TomTom as well (apart from the fact they don't use the standard iPhone keyboard, which can get annoying)
Just out of curiosity how hard does the Tom Tom app hit the battery life of the phone? I too have used the googlemaps app on my iPhone to navigate as a passenger and while it saved our bacon when our satnav died it chewed up the battery pretty rapidly. (after 2/3 hours I was nervously trying to conserve my battery)
If the Tom Tom app goes through the battery in similar fashion it defeates the object of having a mobile phone if you can't make/recieve calls when you get to your desination.
...I might buy it.
1) place/receive calls while in the app (or auto return to the app once a call is placed/received)
2) voice comand for data input
3) speak street names and other references, not just "turn ahead"
4) REAL TIME traffic (it has the connection, even advertises IQ technology, but it's NOT a real time traffic system...
5) release the hardware kit
6) Answer straight forward how map updates will be handled/how much will they cost.
7) iPod controls in-app
8) Continue to speak aloud directions when engaged in a call (though speaker or bluetooth as appropriate, and configurable).
I know Apple has some magic in the works for 3.2/4.0 that will enable a more seamless multitasking experience (the iPhone DOES multitask, but is simply limited to 1 FOREGROUND app at a time and only basic services running in the background). until then, I'd still at least expect the app, for $99 US, to perform the same functions as a cellular-enables TomTom device...
As having bought Navigon, and had a play with Tomtom and Co-pilot on friends phones.
both Navigon and Co-pilot seem both better and cheaper.
Would like to see a comparision review.
From our (3 mates with iphones on a long trip swapping) the fact that tomtom crashed and lagged put it easily in 3rd. Navigon and co-pilot seem much more evenly matched.
I'm not astroturfing with my recommend of Co-Pilot Live - it does almost exactly the same job as TomTom on the iPhone but it's less than half the cost. What's not to like about that?
Also, in regards to battery life I'd be amazed if people who are going to use an iPhone as a satnav don't already possess an in-car charger...
I have the co pilot satnav and it was not much use until the update.
It still has problems with roads that been there since Jesus was a boy but. it does work well.
One other thing I have found, if you are coming up to say a right turn then a left say when crossing a dual carriage way it will only tell you one of the turns even when you really need the first one and not the last.
One other thing most pound shops do ipod to usb power cables for £1 and the 12 volt to 5 volt usb for £1.00 and you can get a large holder in tesco from £6.97 most days that will hold the iphone. so there is no need for people to moan about not been able to get a holder/charger for the iphone. and mine is still full working. and if the cable is not long enough you just have to use a usb extension cable lol....
I don't think that should be an issue. If you were expecting to use your iPhone as a SatNav system for the car in anger, you'd invest in a fag lighter to iPhone power adaptor and keep it in the glovebox.
You know, just like the one that comes with your dedicated SatNav device, 'cos they don't have the battery grunt for a long journey off external power either.
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