When we saw the demo of the iPhone 3.0 software and the iPhone 3GS phone we also saw that TomTom was on board building a Turn by Turn GPS solution for the iPhone. Well that solution is finally out and with it comes a few surprises.
The TomTom package is more than just an iPhone app. It’s a hardware package that includes a windshield mount, a charging cradle and a built in GPS receiver.
Yup, it includes it’s own GPS system in the cradle, replacing the iPhones built in GPS with it’s own more accurate unit.
So… not only does this mean better fast GPS for the iPhone using this kit, but it also means it will work with the currently GPS-less iPod Touch! This little fact has been confirmed by TomTom as well.
In addition to supporting the iPod Touch TomTom claims that other applications on the iphone or iPod touch will be able to use the TomTom GPS instead of the built in one while the iPhone is docked. I suspect this is because the TomTom GPS actually replaces the on board GPS while the unit is docked, so as a concession to Apple, TomTom has to allow this, but still this is pretty cool if you are an iPod touch owner. Now you will be able to have access to all those cool location aware apps without having an iPhone.
The Application in the Apple App Store is on sale now for $99, but it’s unclear to me if that includes the car kit hardware, or if that is a separate purchase you have to make from TomTom.
If the hardware is included that’s a pretty darn good price for a GPS system, something I’d be willing to look into for my touch for sure.
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Update: It looks like the hardware isn’t out yet, just the iPhone App. The hardware mounting kit with it’s own GPS system should retail as a package including the iPhone app for $199. I hope that price gets discounted pretty fast, cause that sounds like too much to me. I realize there is a price to the maps so I can almost see $99 for the app alone, but don’t try and tell me that a charging cradle even if it has it’s own GPS chip inside is worth another $100… I see this set up dropping to $159 on Amazon, and hopefully $129 (including the app) by Christmas. Then it will sell.
