TomTom Finally Brings Turn By Turn To The iPhone
June 10, 2009 by Ryan Ray
Can you believe your ears, or your eyes as you will see in the video, TomTom has finally done it. A true turn by turn GPS app is coming to the iPhone. This is a day for celebrating everyone, and let me tell you why. For the last year I’ve been harping the fact that Apple HAS to let someone build a great turn by turn app. The iPhone 3G came out and had built in GPS, how could you not have a turn by turn app. Well maybe there is something holding them up, like AT&T again. Gosh I want to kick AT&T right where it hurts, but that’s besides the point.
This announcement has gotten pushed aside as it was during the part where developer after developer came on stage and everyone just wanted to see the new iPhone. I think it has been glossed over a little bit but is still very important. I can’t believe it’s only been one year since the iPhone 3G came out, because I remember answering a lot of questions about the GPS. Especially on YouTube (check us out on YouTube) everyone wanted turn by turn directions. I guess it just wasn’t built into the software of 2.0, but now that 3.0 is just around the corner we have the API’s to do so. That means that even though TomTom has gotten most of the limelight, there are companies like Garmin that can just as easily bring their own offering to the table. This also opens up a great avenue for other 3rd parties to compete with these big name companies.
To provide you with a short overview the TomTom app behaves just like it would on a regular TomTom device. Sadly though there is no voice control, WTF TomTom. I’m sorry but I seem to be complaining a lot lately, but its been 2 years since the launch of this iPhone and it’s features need to come a little faster. Anyway you can enter your address and search for one, etc… One of the cool features about this app is that it has a technology called IQ Routes. This simply will allow TomTom historical traffic patterns and routes to provide you with more timely and better directions. One thing it may not have that would have me switching back and forth between Google Maps and TomTom is traffic conditions. Again, maybe we’ll just have to do more waiting for an update but I hope this comes to the app since Google Maps has done it since day one. Actually on second thought why doesn’t Google create it’s own turn by turn software? Haha
There are no words on pricing for either the app or the suction cup dock yet. There is also no release date for the app or it’s accessories, they’ve just said soon after the iPhone 3.0 launch they will release their app. By the way, there will be more than one version of the app. It depends on what region you will want. Personally I think they should have one app that covers the world, but there’s always got to be a way to make money from people traveling. They must buy new maps for a different region of the world, haha!
I can’t wait to get my hands on this app or it’s accessories, I’ve wanted turn by turn for forever. I just really hope the price isn’t too steep. Please TomTom just charge $9.99 or less. With everything only time will tell. What are your thoughts on the TomTom app, is it worth turning your iPhone into a turn by turn GPS device or do you already have one? Leave a comment after watching the TomTom video below and let me know. Thanks for reading!
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I’d love to see an actual hands on review. Not sure if it will be accurate enough to replace my real GPS. I hate these teases. Give a little info, and then no release date, not details etc…
I feel exactly the same, I need to know when to expect this. I’ll put out a hands on thorough review ASAP. Thanks for the comment!