The GPS works fine without a data connection. I use my Canadian phone in the US all the time with the Navigon app for turn by turn with no data roaming charges
Ridiculously overpriced. Between this and the not-yet released hardware, a cheaper aletrnative is to just buy a stand-alone unit; they start at about $129.00.
This is the exact reason multiple apps running at the same time needs to be employed. If you are driving using the TomTom software and a call comes in, the TomTom app disappears and you don't get driving instructions. Worthless purchase at this point.
Thank you for an intelligent reply. I hadn't even thought of this! So, by this token, ALL turn-by-turn apps are inherently flawed because of Apple. Wow.
Thank you for an intelligent reply. I hadn't even thought of this! So, by this token, ALL turn-by-turn apps are inherently flawed because of Apple. Wow.
Yes, except not all other apps cost $100 + the cradle, which will be interesting to see how much $$ that will be. The cradle is almost, if not a must have, to hear the instructions clearly and loud enough plus charge the device/enhance the gps.
Ridiculous. Buy a standalone unit for UNDER $100, which will give you dedicated GPS even if a phone call comes in.
But it's a free market, and I'm sure TomTom did their due diligence and researched a pricepoint users are willing to pay. I sense it'll still be a 'hit' as people seem to be app happy buying anything new in the store.
TomTom has the advantage of bringing an already mature (i.e. full featured, debugged) nav environment to the iPhone. I'd think it's worth something not to have to be an acting, unpaid and involuntary beta tester (been there, done that). One review on iTunes says: "This is the first app that gave me credible directions. Navigon did not and CoPilot did not. That's pretty basic."
Pretty basic indeed. If that's the case, then one's feelings about price differences might disappear pretty quickly.
Gosh, they could have included the whole EU (or even Europe), this way it's really useless. No maps for Czech republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Croatia etc. Hope it's in the pipeline, and that no "Western Europe" and "Eastern Europe" division will take place (i.e. you will be able to simply get "Europe" map).
Long story short, Tom Tom, because they are a Navigation Unit manufacturer, plan to charge iPhone users upwards of $180 for the "full package" GPS experience.
Its B.S.
CoPilot Live = $34. Go get it. GPS solution solved. Like most people, I already have a solution for mounting/charging in my vehicle. $34 and your TurnXTurn desires are solved WITHOUT buying the biggest and bestest thing that name brand advantage-taker has introduced.
Or you could be suckered in and pay 4 -5 times what's necessary to accomplish the same.
Biased? No, its called common sense.
You may or may not be correct about how CoPilot performs vs TomTom, but like the previous poster, I'll wait for a reputable source to review the options. But let's at least get the math right!
You are trying to compare the $180 "full package" TomTom to your $34 CoPilot and then say you already have a car mounting/charging accessory. So if the iPhone's GPS is accurate enough, and I already have a cradle, then why are you saying I have to get the full TomTom package? Oh yeah, that's right, you are purposefully trying to make TomTom look as bad as possible. Sounds like the definition of biased to me.
So it's more like $34 vs $100. Still expensive for the TomTom, but not nearly as bad as you are trying to make it sound. Well within the range for considering the TomTom app if it offers any features over CoPilot.
As far as the TomTom mount goes, perhaps the iPhone's GPS works fine for you; but GPS is very dependent on your environment. Trees, tall buildings, and other things can interfere with the signal. And navigating country roads, where if you are off by 200 feet is no big deal, is different than navigating a major metropolitan area where there could be 3 or 4 right-hand turns within 200 foot radius. The extra accuracy they are saying the mount gets you may very well be worth it for some people, especially if they will also make use of the mount, charging, and/or hands-free option.
Bottom line, if the mount is unnecessary, than don't buy it! At least you have the option.
Quote:
Originally Posted by satchmo
Ridiculous. Buy a standalone unit for UNDER $100, which will give you dedicated GPS even if a phone call comes in.
But it's a free market, and I'm sure TomTom did their due diligence and researched a pricepoint users are willing to pay. I sense it'll still be a 'hit' as people seem to be app happy buying anything new in the store.
The price range of stand-alone units range from under $100 to several hundred dollars. Whether the iPhone app is a good value compared to those units really depends on where it falls in the range based on features. Obviously, for the right features, the units that cost several hundred must be of some value because people buy them. If the iPhone offers some of those advanced features not available in the under $100 units, then it may well be worth it. (Not to mention the value of having only a single device to mount and provide power to instead of separate nav unit and iPhone/iPod.)
But it's a free market, and I'm sure TomTom did their due diligence and researched a pricepoint users are willing to pay. I sense it'll still be a 'hit' as people seem to be app happy buying anything new in the store.
Either that or TomTom just wants to hit first adopters up for some extra cash Pricing is so fluid on the App Store it can change drastically overnight. I'm sure the first $59.99 sale will have people buying in droves.
I'm curious if Apple suggested keeping the price high. They've been trying to reverse the "race to the bottom" pricing of the App Store, and this would be an opportunity to roll out a big app and show other developers that apps can be priced in the $50-$100 range and succeed.
The GPS works fine without a data connection. I use my Canadian phone in the US all the time with the Navigon app for turn by turn with no data roaming charges
I have a 3GS, & Navigon works fine. One of my older phones a 16GB 3G, has no data connection (a blank?) sim - that I just use for movies, skype and such. The Navigon will NOT EVER get a gps signal, even though the google maps app works just fine (with WiFi coverage of course)
I had a Genius look into this - after much persuasion cos they don't fix 'APPS' and he felt my Phone was fine.
So beware before you buy either Navigon or TomTom -
This for some reason is too difficult a concept for either supplier to come clean on their website. Remember Navigons 'fix' for poor GPS is to reformat the memory within your iPhone (see the FAQ)
I swear people complain about everything. You haven't even used the TomTom yet to see how well it works. At least wait for a comparison beteen the two. If you feel the TomTom is too expensive and you like what you have. Don't buy the TomTom and be happy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pmz
Long story short, Tom Tom, because they are a Navigation Unit manufacturer, plan to charge iPhone users upwards of $180 for the "full package" GPS experience.
Its B.S.
CoPilot Live = $34. Go get it. GPS solution solved. Like most people, I already have a solution for mounting/charging in my vehicle. $34 and your TurnXTurn desires are solved WITHOUT buying the biggest and bestest thing that name brand advantage-taker has introduced.
Or you could be suckered in and pay 4 -5 times what's necessary to accomplish the same.
What happens if you get a phone call? Apple doesn't allow you to run two programs at once. Isn't that still the case? I still think the standalone device is the way to go?
As the previous post for CoPilot was not given much consideration by this thread, I wanted to weigh in on the product. I have been a CoPilot (version 2 thru7) user as both a final product and a beta tester on the Windows CE/PPC/Mobile platforms. I have absolutely nothing but praise for CoPilot and I have compared it to the other players in the field, both PPC software only and hardware/software combo units. I have used it for both extensive local and long trip navigation in the US, but have no experience outside the US. ALK (owner of CoPilot) has been excellent with map updates as well as new more feature rich upgrades on basically a yearly basis (more of less). While I have not had the opportunity to do a feature by feature comparison with Tom Tom's iPhone offering, I can say that in my side by side comparison of the PPC version's feature/function/UI, to other competitors owned by friends, relatives, I have always found CoPilot offered a superior experience.
CoPilot was there long before TomTom and does deserve serious consideration, especially given the new lower price ($35, previous versions of CoPilot ran around $100). I for one am delighted to see CoPilot available on the iPhone and now can finally retire my PPC from its last remaining use (will keep it around as a backup).
$100 bucks...I don't see it happening. Like you said, you can get a standard one for that much, and not have to lose a turn because a call came through. Why pay so much when TomTom is only providing the software(at minimum) and you're providing the hardware(iphone)
i don't know what the wholesale costs are for their devices, but the value is in the software. i bet their cost to build one of their devices is maybe $20 if that much.
This is the exact reason multiple apps running at the same time needs to be employed. If you are driving using the TomTom software and a call comes in, the TomTom app disappears and you don't get driving instructions. Worthless purchase at this point.
When the call is over, the app switches back on automatically, according to the video posted in a thread here.
While a dedicated hardware GPS may be offered at a similar price, the convenience of having one device that I can carry around in my pocket and have more uses for is more attractive to me. I've resisted purchasing a GPS so far because I didn't like the idea of leaving it in my car, hooking it up every time I wanted to use it, all that kind of stuff. The idea of taking my phone out, putting it in a cradle and having it powered by my car's electrical system, and still having it available on the fly when I'm with my wife in her car, or a friends car, all that makes my iPhone the perfect device to carry for GPS directions.
Does the GPS Location really work without connection to the net? Although any "normal" GPS does, I just found myself with the iPhone App "OffMaps" in Paris (downloaded the Paris Map preaviously to use it offline), but the GPS position was never resolved and shown in that app! Maybe that is only a problem with OffMaps, but I need to be sure to not have to connect to the net for a GPS localisation. Roaming Data charges are just ridiculous...
I did the same thing in Amsterdam last month, with the same App. Very promising app, it lets you download the maps from Google for a certain area that you set, and navigate offline after that. Did you notice that if you enabled wifi, the GPS worked? Clearly (to me) it seems an oversite by Apple on the design of airplane mode. There must be a toggle button to enable just the GPS chip when the rest of the radios are off to make this kind of app work.
This is the exact reason multiple apps running at the same time needs to be employed. If you are driving using the TomTom software and a call comes in, the TomTom app disappears and you don't get driving instructions. Worthless purchase at this point.
The phone app can run in the background of a third party app.
Wow, so glad I got Navigon, and didn't wait for this, it was cheaper and has better maps/software. The only thing Tom Tom had going for it was the chance to under cut them in price.
Comments
The GPS works fine without a data connection. I use my Canadian phone in the US all the time with the Navigon app for turn by turn with no data roaming charges
Thank you! I was hoping for this
Too bad that there is no TMC though...
So I should just throw it away and buy a new one?
$A99.99 seems like a bargain in comparison.
The dock also boosts the speaker volume and integrates with calls.
There is a video review here.
Ridiculously overpriced. Between this and the not-yet released hardware, a cheaper aletrnative is to just buy a stand-alone unit; they start at about $129.00.
This is the exact reason multiple apps running at the same time needs to be employed. If you are driving using the TomTom software and a call comes in, the TomTom app disappears and you don't get driving instructions. Worthless purchase at this point.
Thank you for an intelligent reply. I hadn't even thought of this! So, by this token, ALL turn-by-turn apps are inherently flawed because of Apple. Wow.
Thank you for an intelligent reply. I hadn't even thought of this! So, by this token, ALL turn-by-turn apps are inherently flawed because of Apple. Wow.
Yes, except not all other apps cost $100 + the cradle, which will be interesting to see how much $$ that will be. The cradle is almost, if not a must have, to hear the instructions clearly and loud enough plus charge the device/enhance the gps.
But it's a free market, and I'm sure TomTom did their due diligence and researched a pricepoint users are willing to pay. I sense it'll still be a 'hit' as people seem to be app happy buying anything new in the store.
Pretty basic indeed. If that's the case, then one's feelings about price differences might disappear pretty quickly.
Long story short, Tom Tom, because they are a Navigation Unit manufacturer, plan to charge iPhone users upwards of $180 for the "full package" GPS experience.
Its B.S.
CoPilot Live = $34. Go get it. GPS solution solved. Like most people, I already have a solution for mounting/charging in my vehicle. $34 and your TurnXTurn desires are solved WITHOUT buying the biggest and bestest thing that name brand advantage-taker has introduced.
Or you could be suckered in and pay 4 -5 times what's necessary to accomplish the same.
Biased? No, its called common sense.
You may or may not be correct about how CoPilot performs vs TomTom, but like the previous poster, I'll wait for a reputable source to review the options. But let's at least get the math right!
You are trying to compare the $180 "full package" TomTom to your $34 CoPilot and then say you already have a car mounting/charging accessory. So if the iPhone's GPS is accurate enough, and I already have a cradle, then why are you saying I have to get the full TomTom package? Oh yeah, that's right, you are purposefully trying to make TomTom look as bad as possible. Sounds like the definition of biased to me.
So it's more like $34 vs $100. Still expensive for the TomTom, but not nearly as bad as you are trying to make it sound. Well within the range for considering the TomTom app if it offers any features over CoPilot.
As far as the TomTom mount goes, perhaps the iPhone's GPS works fine for you; but GPS is very dependent on your environment. Trees, tall buildings, and other things can interfere with the signal. And navigating country roads, where if you are off by 200 feet is no big deal, is different than navigating a major metropolitan area where there could be 3 or 4 right-hand turns within 200 foot radius. The extra accuracy they are saying the mount gets you may very well be worth it for some people, especially if they will also make use of the mount, charging, and/or hands-free option.
Bottom line, if the mount is unnecessary, than don't buy it! At least you have the option.
Ridiculous. Buy a standalone unit for UNDER $100, which will give you dedicated GPS even if a phone call comes in.
But it's a free market, and I'm sure TomTom did their due diligence and researched a pricepoint users are willing to pay. I sense it'll still be a 'hit' as people seem to be app happy buying anything new in the store.
The price range of stand-alone units range from under $100 to several hundred dollars. Whether the iPhone app is a good value compared to those units really depends on where it falls in the range based on features. Obviously, for the right features, the units that cost several hundred must be of some value because people buy them. If the iPhone offers some of those advanced features not available in the under $100 units, then it may well be worth it. (Not to mention the value of having only a single device to mount and provide power to instead of separate nav unit and iPhone/iPod.)
But it's a free market, and I'm sure TomTom did their due diligence and researched a pricepoint users are willing to pay. I sense it'll still be a 'hit' as people seem to be app happy buying anything new in the store.
Either that or TomTom just wants to hit first adopters up for some extra cash
I'm curious if Apple suggested keeping the price high. They've been trying to reverse the "race to the bottom" pricing of the App Store, and this would be an opportunity to roll out a big app and show other developers that apps can be priced in the $50-$100 range and succeed.
EZPASS
Making a video of the drive you took
Watching a movie or streaming some HULU while you drive .
Setting tom tom to make only left turns until you reach the coast .
dunno just saying
go tom tom
E
I'm curious if Apple suggested keeping the price high. They've been trying to reverse the "race to the bottom" pricing of the App Store, succeed.
Could please supply examples of apples anti-race to the bottom ?
I will DL it and Play IT on my free podcast .
peace
The GPS works fine without a data connection. I use my Canadian phone in the US all the time with the Navigon app for turn by turn with no data roaming charges
I have a 3GS, & Navigon works fine. One of my older phones a 16GB 3G, has no data connection (a blank?) sim - that I just use for movies, skype and such. The Navigon will NOT EVER get a gps signal, even though the google maps app works just fine (with WiFi coverage of course)
I had a Genius look into this - after much persuasion cos they don't fix 'APPS' and he felt my Phone was fine.
So beware before you buy either Navigon or TomTom -
This for some reason is too difficult a concept for either supplier to come clean on their website. Remember Navigons 'fix' for poor GPS is to reformat the memory within your iPhone (see the FAQ)
Good luck
Long story short, Tom Tom, because they are a Navigation Unit manufacturer, plan to charge iPhone users upwards of $180 for the "full package" GPS experience.
Its B.S.
CoPilot Live = $34. Go get it. GPS solution solved. Like most people, I already have a solution for mounting/charging in my vehicle. $34 and your TurnXTurn desires are solved WITHOUT buying the biggest and bestest thing that name brand advantage-taker has introduced.
Or you could be suckered in and pay 4 -5 times what's necessary to accomplish the same.
Biased? No, its called common sense.
CoPilot was there long before TomTom and does deserve serious consideration, especially given the new lower price ($35, previous versions of CoPilot ran around $100). I for one am delighted to see CoPilot available on the iPhone and now can finally retire my PPC from its last remaining use (will keep it around as a backup).
$100 bucks...I don't see it happening. Like you said, you can get a standard one for that much, and not have to lose a turn because a call came through. Why pay so much when TomTom is only providing the software(at minimum) and you're providing the hardware(iphone)
i don't know what the wholesale costs are for their devices, but the value is in the software. i bet their cost to build one of their devices is maybe $20 if that much.
This is the exact reason multiple apps running at the same time needs to be employed. If you are driving using the TomTom software and a call comes in, the TomTom app disappears and you don't get driving instructions. Worthless purchase at this point.
When the call is over, the app switches back on automatically, according to the video posted in a thread here.
While a dedicated hardware GPS may be offered at a similar price, the convenience of having one device that I can carry around in my pocket and have more uses for is more attractive to me. I've resisted purchasing a GPS so far because I didn't like the idea of leaving it in my car, hooking it up every time I wanted to use it, all that kind of stuff. The idea of taking my phone out, putting it in a cradle and having it powered by my car's electrical system, and still having it available on the fly when I'm with my wife in her car, or a friends car, all that makes my iPhone the perfect device to carry for GPS directions.
Does the GPS Location really work without connection to the net? Although any "normal" GPS does, I just found myself with the iPhone App "OffMaps" in Paris (downloaded the Paris Map preaviously to use it offline), but the GPS position was never resolved and shown in that app! Maybe that is only a problem with OffMaps, but I need to be sure to not have to connect to the net for a GPS localisation. Roaming Data charges are just ridiculous...
I did the same thing in Amsterdam last month, with the same App. Very promising app, it lets you download the maps from Google for a certain area that you set, and navigate offline after that. Did you notice that if you enabled wifi, the GPS worked? Clearly (to me) it seems an oversite by Apple on the design of airplane mode. There must be a toggle button to enable just the GPS chip when the rest of the radios are off to make this kind of app work.
This is the exact reason multiple apps running at the same time needs to be employed. If you are driving using the TomTom software and a call comes in, the TomTom app disappears and you don't get driving instructions. Worthless purchase at this point.
The phone app can run in the background of a third party app.