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How far away is the TomTom iPhone app?
- Thread starter tombarnes
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So between 28th July and 3rd August would be end of the
month. I hope that's right cause I want this app soon.
You're missing the point. Some people with first gen iPhones might open the app before putting it into the dock. The TomTom app works with either the internal GPS or with the dock GPS. TomTom wants to make sure that when the iPhone isn't in the dock, the app doesn't crash (or provides user feedback if 3.0's "sandbox" keeps the api call in check) when trying to look for an internal GPS. It doesn't take much to crash an app on an iPhone, and people appreciate knowing why their device isn't working. I think most everybody can agree that both of those are valid points.
I don't know why people are arguing over this anyway. Adding hooks at the beginning that determine the hardware profile shouldn't take a long time to implement, as later on in your code you can put in statements that exclude blocks of code by checking it against the variable set for the type of device. It will, however, take a little longer to test on multiple devices to make sure that you didn't leave anything out.
In addition, if it's true that SDK 3.0 automagically catches errors from lines of code that are trying to be executed on an unsupported device (ie 3.0's sandbox catches that its trying to make an API call to GPS but its a first gen iPhone and kills that command) then that's fine too.
However, I doubt that 3.0 comes up with custom alert messages tailored to the app if it kills an api call. A good developer will code in messages so that the user knows why it isn't working. For example, when starting the app on a first gen iPhone, it should popup a message that says "You are using a first generation iPhone with no internal GPS. Please dock your iPhone with the TomTom GPS hardware to use navigation." Sure, most people won't open the app unless it's docked, but TomTom still needs to account for the people who will. It's just about making a good interface that gives feedback to the user when there is an unexpected result.
Either way, I doubt that this takes up a huge chunk of their dev time. Most likely they are trying to create as consistent an experience as possible between the built in GPS and the dock and that is taking up a lot of their development time. The GPS in the iPhone isn't up to snuff with the stuff they put into their standard units. That's why they said the GPS in the dock is an improvement over the iPhone's. The GPS in my iPhone 3GS has trouble keeping a good lock on me most of the time. It can be pretty jumpy when holding it in the car. They are probably coming up with algorithms that will smooth out the rough spots.
Also, arguing on the internet is really lame.
I was reading an article on msnbc.com today about the iPhone apps for traveling. They mentioned the TomTom app came out in June along with the new 3G S iPhone. 
This just up on the giz
http://gizmodo.com/5313657/tomtoms-gps+enhancing-car-adapter-should-work-with-the-ipod-touch
http://gizmodo.com/5313657/tomtoms-gps+enhancing-car-adapter-should-work-with-the-ipod-touch
Hah. What IS on the priority list? I would have thought that wehen they announced a year ago that their software was running on the 3g that they would have had this ready to go.
I agree. I wonder how late this summer we're going to wait for this to get released.
I'm wondering if TomTom will work at actually making the app work well without the car kit, or will they purposly make it not work so great without the car kit to encourage you to buy one.
I'm going to keep my faith in man and assume TomTom will make the app as awesome as possible even without the carkit. Otherwise, it would suck to have to lug around 2 devices if you don't always drive the same car.
I agree. Also, surely someone who buys the Tomtom for iPhone app is looking for consolidation of devices. I.e instead of carrying an iPod, a phone, and a GPS, you just take your iphone which does all three.
I think it would be moving away from the whole ethos of iPhone if Tomtom were to go down the whole 'we'll make it crap if you don't buy the clumbersome dock' route.
150$?
Looks like it might be pricey, although Euro prices and USA retail don't ever line up.
I'm still thinking, that 150-175$ for the kit coming out of the gates is going to be the PP
http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/2009/08/04/tomtom-for-iphone-car-kit
Looks like it might be pricey, although Euro prices and USA retail don't ever line up.
I'm still thinking, that 150-175$ for the kit coming out of the gates is going to be the PP
http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/2009/08/04/tomtom-for-iphone-car-kit
If it's as expensive as this: http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php/2126/tomtom-for-iphone-inc-mount,
then, many people will skip out, but it's nearly 3 times as expensive as navigon.
well
Well, I've said it before, I think the app will be 99$, but will be 74$ on launch, so very similar to the navigon app. Then, there will most likely be a 150$ PP for the bundle at launch, MAYBE 125$ for the kit for two weeks or something. I think a lot of people will pounce at that level, for the kit.
The navigon will be 99$ in what, a week? So, I am thinking we are pretty darn prepped for the TomTom product to release.
We'll see. At 200$ in the future (which I don't think it will ever be, I think it will MAX out at 160-175$ USA RETAIL) It will certainly see slower sales.
Well, I've said it before, I think the app will be 99$, but will be 74$ on launch, so very similar to the navigon app. Then, there will most likely be a 150$ PP for the bundle at launch, MAYBE 125$ for the kit for two weeks or something. I think a lot of people will pounce at that level, for the kit.
The navigon will be 99$ in what, a week? So, I am thinking we are pretty darn prepped for the TomTom product to release.
We'll see. At 200$ in the future (which I don't think it will ever be, I think it will MAX out at 160-175$ USA RETAIL) It will certainly see slower sales.
Similar pricing structure to Navigon will certainly help, but will it be, with IQ Routes etc?
Is it just me who thinks £113 is actually reasonably good?
If that is just for british maps then OK a little on the steep side, but if its for European maps then its what, £40 more than Navigon at the moment and thats with Navigon on sale. So say Navigon goes up to £75-80 then its only £25 more and thats pretty much what you'd pay for a mount anyway.
Makes sense to me anyway!
If that is just for british maps then OK a little on the steep side, but if its for European maps then its what, £40 more than Navigon at the moment and thats with Navigon on sale. So say Navigon goes up to £75-80 then its only £25 more and thats pretty much what you'd pay for a mount anyway.
Makes sense to me anyway!
First there is a thread already out there on this subject and secound i suggest you go with Navigon since it is out and running good besides i know someone at TomTom working on the app and it wont be released until Sept 3
I was reading an article on msnbc.com today about the iPhone apps for traveling. They mentioned the TomTom app came out in June along with the new 3G S iPhone.
hmmmm lets see it's already aug... can you say ball dropage
I have posted this several times. It has IQRoutes:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/07/tomtom-iphone-app.html
With all the hype this thing is getting, it'd better be knock-your-socks-off good, otherwise they're going to get hammered.