“That isn’t the cost of the maps and satnav software alone. In fact it’s the price for an in-car kit which includes the software (with the latest Tele Atlas mapping and the TomTom IQ Routes feature) plus a specially designed, and I have to admit rather sexy looking, cradle which provides secure docking, enhanced GPS performance, voice instruction sound boost, hands-free telephone calling and in-situ charging of your iPhone,” Winder reports.
“A quick scout around the same site that has published that pre-ordering price is selling the cheapest standalone TomTom in-car unit for £118 ($200) which means that the iPhone version is actually cheaper, assuming you already own an iPhone 3GS that is,” Winder reports.
“Of course, the TomTom software application itself will also be available from the Apple App Store as a standalone download for the iPhone, and one has to assume that the cost will be fairly dramatically reduced if you are not buying into the hardware kit as well,” Winder reports. “Certainly one would hope that it will swing in lower than the only real competition at the moment, the Navigon MobileNavigator for iPhone which is currently being sold at a reduced price of £59.99 ($102) for the European maps version until the end of August when one assumes it will zoom back up to £79.99 ($136) – you also have to assume that the timing of the price cut is to try and ward off the inevitable TomTom effect. Which does, indeed, bode well for a release some time later this month.”
More in the full article here.
Direct link to video via YouTube here.
my compass doesn’t point north like it used too…
If it works with the touch…(gets GPS from mount)… i’m buying it.
The Cradle actually has its own, stronger, GPS receiver. That is why the cradle cost $200.
@Hunh?
I think, with that mindset, you might enjoy the windows world more. Derivative of Mac stuff, and cheap like those paper maps you’re touting.
I’ll just touch only one of your ‘logics’: you prefer horse or bikes over cars, that’s fine and dandy and green. Except, I hope you never have to haul your derriere to hospital ASAP for yourself or a loved one.
Also, paper maps kill trees. Now go give one a hug.
I would not pay more than $49 MAX for this software, and I wish they’d just charge $19.99 and own the market. They’d obviously sell a lot more apps, and everyone would buy the charger for $29.99…
And why isn’t Garmin entering the iPhone market? The only reason everyone is waiting for Tom Tom is because they demoed first, but Tom Tom isn’t very well known in the U.S. Why is Garmin being silent now in the iPhone market? Are they willing to just walk away?
@ Jamie
My wife cannot read a map and has no idea which way north or south is. In fact in our local town where she has lived for 40 years she has to ask which way to go to get to the airport and she’s been there at least 60 times in the last 10 years.
Dunno what she would do if a call came in when she was in the middle of directions.
I feel gouged.
I would really appreciate having the connectivity and additional features that the TomTom car kit would give but there is no way I would spend $200 for it.
Most iPhone car holders are ~ $20-40 so I expected the TomTom unit to be anywhere between $75-100.
Worst thing is that we have 2 iPhones and so I would have to buy 2 of them unless we want to switch out the holder each time.
I’ll guess I’ll have to wait until the price goes down or an alternative exists or just get the software. I have a pretty good holder now with aux and power connectivity.
There SHOULD be an app for that.
Meanwhile, try Viagra!
Viva!
TomTom needs a different method of mounting the device in your car. The suction cup sucks.
WHATEVER!!! Just release the F-ing APP already!!! Better not be that pricy though!
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Hahaha $200.
I will just wait for the next top selling iPhone navigation app selling for $9.95. Everything you need is already on the iPhone. TomTom is just trying to rip us off with stuff we don’t need. external GPS? external charger? My USB car phone charger was only $5. Cheap but works fine.
@Jamie
((If you can read a map, you don’t need TomTom.))
If you can read you don’^t need a television!
Ifyou can light a wood fire, you don’t need a stove!