OK, I’ve seen some pretty odd ways of using mobile phone’s over the years, but this one really made me chuckle. As you’ve probably heard, you can now get TomTom Sat Nav on your iPhone, and the whole world seem to be going crazy about it.
Quite a few bloggers are reviewing the new software and posting video’s of it being used – which is great, after all £60 is a lot to spend on a software download if it’s no good, but I really think some people need to plan ahead when it comes to creating a video review.
This morning I stumbled on this iPhone TomTom video review on YouTube which shows off how easy the software is to use. They then take it for a spin in the car and demonstrate brilliantly how not to mount your iPhone in the car.
There are some things that sellotape shouldn't be used for!
Sellotaping your iPhone to the dash might be a quick fix, but just think of the mess that’s going to be left on his phone and dashboard when he’s done. Silly really, when for less than £15 he could have got himself aniPhone Sat Nav Pack that includes a rotating windscreen holder and car charger.
On the subject of iPhone holders, I’ve noticed that people seem to think that you have to use sat nav on the iPhone in landscape mode. As most phone holders for the iPhone 3G and 3GS are portrait, I’m guessing this is why people are resorting to sellotaping their phones to the dashboard, but what you may not realise is that Sat Nav works perfectly well in portrait mode too – in fact I prefer it. It means you don’t have to keep rotating the phone if a call or text message comes through and I find that you get a clearer view of what’s coming up on the road ahead. Admittedly, there’s not much in it, but do you really need to see all the side roads that you’re not going to be driving down?
CoPilot 8 on the iPhone: Landscape Vs Portrait
Easiest option of course is to just get yourself a rotating holder so that you can use your phone which ever way you want. The following iPhone car holders can all rotate for use in landscape or portrait mode:
It was announced back in March at the Apple Developers Conference, but until now further details have been very few and far between.. Until now.
We already know that the software and the car cradle will be available separately, and we’re now hearing that the car cradle will retail for around £115, but there is no news yet as to whether this includes the software or not.
UPDATE: TomTom for UK is available now in the iTunes App store for £59.99. No confirmed pricing yet on the car kit. iTunes Link.
iPhone TomTom Car Kit
Another image has surfaced of the iPhone TomTom Car Cradle, this time showing off a few more of it’s features:
EasyPort Mount from the TomTom ONE and TomTomXL
Built In Speaker
Volume Control
Microphone for handsfree calling
Mini USB Charging Connector
Audio Line out (for connecting to Car Stereo)
Sources are also confirming that a separate model will be available for the iPod touch.
We’ve not yet been able to confirm any of this yet with our suppliers, and we’ll post again as soon as we know more.
On a similar note, the rumour mill is also suggesting that CoPilot Live 8 is on its way to the App Store and will be available some time next week for around £26. UPDATE: CoPilot Live 8 is available now from the AppStore – iTunes Link
Decisions decisions…£60+the cost of the car kit for TomTom, £26 for CoPilot…
Since the iPhone 3G launched last year with built in GPS and the new iPhone 3GS launch this year, people have been calling out for a proper Satellite Navigation Application for it. Well, after a long wait, iPhone OS 3.0 finally provides support for turn-by-turn navigation.
Navigon MobileNavigator for iPhone 3G & iPhone 3GS
TomTom were the first company to announce a ‘proper’ Sat Nav solution for the iPhone at last months Apple Developers Conference. TomTom demonstrated the software and introduced the TomTom Cradle – an optional extra to help you get the most out of their mapping software, but they didn’t announce any pricing or release dates. This week though saw the release of the first two Sat Nav apps, and surprisingly TomTom weren’t one of them!
It’s finally here! It might have taken 2 years, but there is finally an official TomTom Sat Nav App for the iPhone.
TomTom demonstrated the software at last nights WWDC conference in America and have said that it will be available soon in the app store. As well as the Sat Nav application, TomTom also revealed the iPhone car kit – a charging cradle that takes advantage of the new iPhone 3.0 software, and uses a GPS receiver in the cradle to boost the GPS Signal being received by the phone for greater accuracy. The cradle is an optional extra and the sat nav will work perfectly fine with out it. TomTom software will be compatible with iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.
Updated Cradle Specs:
GPS Receiver built in to enhance Internal GPS (might also work on iPod Touch but not confirmed)
Charges iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S
Built in loud speaker for turn by turn directions
External microphone for calls
3.5mm Aux out for playing music through car stereo
Can be used in landscape or portrait mode
Mini USB Charger connection
More details can be found on the TomTom website, although they’re staying tight lipped about pricing and a possible release date.
Update: Sat Nav manufacturer Garmin have confirmed that they are not working on an iPhone solution as this could do damage to their upcoming Nuvifone, However Navigon & Copilot have both released applications.
TomTom posted this video on their YouTube channel as a teaser for what’s to come.
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