The days of buying a separate GPS gadget to sit in your car may be numbered with news that TomTom is going to release a software solution that works with your iPhone.
TomTom is set to base a new system around the use of the iPhone which will not only include software, but a car kit. The software app will run directly on the iPhone providing the functionality you would normally associate with one of their separate GPS units. This will include IQ Routes and the latest maps from Tele Atlas.
The accessory is called the TomTom car kit for iPhone which will make mounting the iPhone in your vehicle simple and secure as well as adding speakers for voice instructions, enhanced GPS, hands-free calling, and in-car charging.
No details of pricing or release dates, have been released yet. But Scott Johnson, spokesman for the company has stated that we can expect to see them appearing before the end of the summer.
Another question that remains unanswered is whether this will be only for the new iPhone 3Gs or older models too.
Matthew’s Opinion
The markets seem to have received this news very positively as TomTom’s share price has jumped around 13%. You can see why as they are the only company providing navigation services to have managed to land a deal with Apple leaving the competition like Garmin at a disadvantage.
TomTom will no doubt continue to sell its existing product line, but now has access to millions of new customers who may want to save themselves some money on buying a separate navigation system and just buy the car kit and app for their iPhone. I am hoping it works with older iPhone models too and TomTom would surely be missing out on a lot of sales if they didn’t support them.
Now we just need to find out the price of the app and the car kit. I suspect it may be one of the most expensive apps you ever buy for your iPhone, but if it is saving you a few hundred dollars off the price of a separate gadget then it’s going to be worth it, right? Add to that the fact you are going to be carrying your iPhone around so no getting lost while on foot either as it works without the car-kit.
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