It’s very evident that people want a solid turn-by-turn navigation app for their iPhone. TomTom’s newly released U.S. and Canada-based app is already within the top 70 paid apps and still climbing. But what about iPod touch users? Apparently TomTom hasn’t forgotten about them either, because according to an interview with TomTom PR manager Yann Lafargue via Mac4Ever [Google translation], the unreleased car kit will be compatible with the iPod touch and it will even support third-party apps.
“It will work with the iPod touch and will also work with third-party GPS applications.”
This basically means that the car kit contains its own GPS that will not only allow the iPod touch to utilize the software, but also replace the iPhone’s own GPS. It’s worth noting that TomTom’s current apps don’t support the iPod touch at this time, probably to avoid any confusion until the car kit is released.
TomTom also has you early navigation app adopters covered with third-party app support for the car kit. So, if you are unwilling to purchase TomTom’s own navigation apps but want better accuracy, TomTom is still going to be able to grab a few bucks out of your pocket.
Lafargue wasn’t able to provide any other information regarding the kit’s price point or release date, but at least we have something else to look forward to.
I really dont understand how this is going to work with the Ipod Touch, unless it come swith some sort portable wifi-hotspot, how will it be able to connect to anything. And even if it had connection, how would it know where it is without GPS? Maybe I’m just naive about something, but it just doesnt make sense to me.
@Colin,
The app is 1.2 GB. The maps are included in the download. Therefore a data connection is not needed for navigation. And you also forget the 3.0 software allows developers to talk to hardware devices plugged into the iphones data connector. Presumably the mount would have its own GPS chip inside. I assume it would be a lil cheaper than a full blown GPS unit as it doesnt need a processor, RAM etc.
I can’t find the exact quote, … but it may have been in a keynote video or a keynote question and answer session. Either way… One of the TomTom executives pointed out that while you can use their software with the iPhone’s built-in A-GPS chip or just use the iPhone GPS and the built in Maps app, their software / hardware is more accurate, especially in tunnels and other spots where direct GPS satellite data is not available and the cellular network must try to triangulate. They didn’t say how it worked ( of course ) but that was their selling point for the app and the car kit. Plus the car kit’s convenience of hands free operations and better placement for safer driving.
I assume this means that it will also work with the 2G iPhone?
I was just going to ask that. In theory, there’s no reason why it SHOULDN’T work with the original 2G iPhone. The only thing I’m concerned with for the first iPhone is the RAM and processor. The old dog is going to choke running the thing. lol
So does this mean that this TomTom Mount will work with my Navigon in the future?
Does anyone knows if the iphone has to be paired with the carkit or anything like that? Also it is mention that the kit will work with third party navigation apps so it would mean I can use it for my IGO App on my iphone.
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Betty
Navigon speech doesn’t work with the Tom Tom Car Kit.