TomTom on 3G iPhone

ANTS

Guest
Could this be what I (at least) am waiting for?

I'll definitely be upgrading my existing iPhone to the new 3G model (it's free, unbelievably) which is now equipped with GPS. Apparently TomTom already have their software working on the iPhone so with a bit of luck this means I can do away with carrying a GPS AND a phone (and all the recent compatibility probs since version 7.54!) and get down to one device.

If they really wanted to make it good they would download Google maps as you went rather than using their own, which are annoyingly 7 years out of date for the Rider by their own admission.

Mt TomTom is a great piece of kit with some excellent ideas, but it has been poorly implemented in places and is really starting to bug me. Hopefully my woes will soon be over.

Anyway, my question really is - does anyone make a waterproof case for the iPhone which will mount on a RAM fixing and allow you to operate the touch sensitive screen (which doesn't really work with gloves anyway).

If not, can someone out there make one - you'd get my money like a shot!
 
Why did you have to wait? ;)

Plenty of phones that can do what the iphone does and have "proper" GPS sat-nav on them. :augie
 
It'll be google maps over the air. Great at home, but likely VERY expensive when roaming.

supp_maps20080609.jpg
 
Inge - that's perfect! Thanks so much for that info.

Jonny - whilst it's true that there are phones out there with GPS I haven't been that impressed with what I've seen so far compared to my TomTom. To be fair, I haven't played with all of them and I haven't seen TomTom working on an iPhone yet. The other reason for waiting is that, yes, I'm an Apple geek, and I do have a problem!

Ian - completely agree with your point about the roaming - whilst it would be nice not to be shafted for roaming charges I doubt that any of the mobile phone operators will give up a big chunk of easy revenue soon. I guess the best thing would be if you could download the most recent Google maps before you left but I guess there might be some sort of charge associated with this, which then negates the benefit over the standard sat-nav map buying process (although at least it would be up to date). I guess there would have to be some sort of cacheing of maps anyway to cover for when you lose reception.
 
If you get a windows mobile phone with GPS you can get TomTom as software to load onto it.

I've got it on a TMobile Ameo and it works exactly the same as a normal TomTom.

The latest winmo phones are quite good.
 
The current iphone can use radius noise to find your location which means it will use know wifi hotspots and trianglation to position you... ver clever very accurate.

I use a BB Curve 8310 with Telmap... brilliant. I still have my Quest but when I was in the US the other week I just switched it on and it worked.

While I was in the US i also picked up an Otter Box - also brilliant
 
I emailed Otterbox - nothing definite yet but probably will be bringing out an Armor Case for the 3G iPhone. Excellent fast reply I must say.

One big problem I've just read about though - apparently the iPhone SDK specifically prohibits using GPS for "real-time navigation":eek:

The reasons for this are unclear but could be:

1). Legal reasons - too many stupid people playing with iPhone whilst driving crash & sue Apple.
2). Legal reasons associated with Google Maps IPA - Google want revenue for using their maps in sat-nav ways.
3). Apple already in bed with sat-nav company (?TomTom - there was a rumour about this a while ago) who have been granted sole rights to establish sat-nav platform on iPhone.

If they don't bring out some sort of sat-nav program for the iPhone though, they will be missing a HUGE business potential - hope all is revealed soon:eek
 
Flashman said:
I must be going blind because I can't find the "new iphone freeeeeeeee upgrade" anywhere on the link you gave or on the Apple site. Any clues?
Click to expand...


seeeeee
Best of all, the new 8GB iPhone 3G won't cost you a penny on our £45 and £75 Pay Monthly tariffs for iPhone. And it's just £99 on our £35 tariff and new £30 tariff. This special early upgrade offer is only available online at o2.co.uk anytime from 11th July until 11th October 2008.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the swift reply. I was hoping to find a link to a free download. I've got an unlocked iPhone which I use on a sim only contract @ £15 per month. I know, cheap skate! :)
 
Costs

for those who are interested, Apple will be releasing the next software upgrade to accomodate more "GPS" features to coincide with the rubbish standard ones!

no news on Tom Tom Yet either!
 
ANTS said:
2). Legal reasons associated with Google Maps IPA - Google want revenue for using their maps in sat-nav ways.
Click to expand...

Yup, I bet that's it. You won't get Skype on the iPhone for similar reasons. Don't you just love it when commercialism and politics cripple a good idea?

I'm waiting for the HTC Touch Pro to be released. Apple do make nice stuff but their first priority seems to be to relieve you of as much money as possible. HTC on the other hand are still a relatively small outfit, and therefore try much harder. :)

Mup.
 
muppix,

i'm sure there are legal reasons as well especially with google maps, but more likely that Apple will develop their own turn by turn nav with another company? who it will be no one knows but as part of the SDK developers pack nobody was allowed to develop GPS or Tracking facilities.........

HTC do make some nice products but ive always found that Apple make better products which are generally more futureproof than the other mobile phone manufacturers. e.g. Nokia may release a 6100 and then 6 months later a 6110 then 6 months latera 6111 and so on, where as apple wont do that as much. (with the exception of 3G being an industry standard)

ive had 3 Iphones so far and they are still the best phone i have ever owned by far, especially now that the VPN and exchange is fully working!
 
WAREGS said:
i'm sure there are legal reasons as well especially with google maps
Click to expand...

If you develop something with Google Maps then you're not allowed to charge for it, and it has to be publically accessbile. (according to the API licensing) Not being allowed to charge for something doesn't really appeal to Mac I expect. :rolleyes:

WAREGS said:
HTC do make some nice products but ive always found that Apple make better products which are generally more futureproof
Click to expand...

I'm not sure that the term "futureproof" can be used to describe a device where you can't change the battery, but each to his own. :p

:hide

Mup.
 
in retrospect my wording was not perfect for what i was trying to explain.

having said that in all teh years i have owned ipods and now iphones ive never had to have a battery changed......

and its insured anyway so failing the good old warranty system *cough* i would just "loose" it and pay teh £25 excess!
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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