Yikes! TomTom's iPhone car kit will cost $120, app sold separately
Though there are a number of navigation apps available for the iPhone and iPod Touch through the App Store in Apple's iTunes, none had been anticipated more than the TomTom navigation app [iTunes link]. Available since August for $99.99, the app turns your Apple device into a fully functioning TomTom navigation system. Many potential buyers have been waiting, however, for the TomTom car kit that will not only allow your iPhone to be suction-cupped to a windshield just like a real third-party navigation system, but also includes a speaker and secondary GPS receiver for increased signal strength.
Our sister site TUAW has just learned that the TomTom car kit, which is scheduled to ship in October, will cost a cool US$119.95 or €99.95 in Europe, not including the cost of the app itself. This means if you want the whole set up for your car, that wallet in your back pocket will be US$219.94 lighter.
Our original hope was that TomTom would bundle the app itself with the cost of the car kit. Unfortunately that appears not to be the case, and the total cost of the app plus car kit now equals what you might pay for a mid-level third-party navigation system. Is it still worth all that money for an all-in-one device that can make phone calls, play music, play games and do a zillion other things on top of being a full fledged navigation system? Decide for yourself in the comments.
[Source: TUAW]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Nathan 11:29AM (9/26/2009)
Ouch.
Reply
Paul 11:18PM (9/26/2009)
Rip-Off.
Some tasks are best divided into separate devices anyway. I find my iPhone is being overtaxed by all the different uses. It's a testament to its utility but for driving, another dedicated GPS unit is much better.
Kyle 2:09PM (9/26/2009)
Or you could jailbreak your phone and have TomTom and Navigon and pick which one you wanted to use
Falcom 2:11AM (9/27/2009)
I'm all for jailbreaking, but is the blateny piracy support really necessary? Makes legitimate jailbreak users look bad.
flfny 3:19AM (9/27/2009)
Alls I'm gonna say is since apple fanboys are sheep and already pay up the yingyang they figured they'd do the same. lol Sorry iPhone users, it's true.
Aprime 11:30AM (9/26/2009)
I think I'd rather use Google Maps.
Reply
Patrick 1:13PM (9/26/2009)
Since the last software update included a "list" option for the standard Maps app, I wouldn't need anything more. You don't really need to see the actual map. At least I don't. The steps of my trip are good enough for most places.
alex 1:40PM (9/26/2009)
There has always been a list option for the maps app
The Hit 8:47PM (9/28/2009)
DOUBLE TRUE!
sithlord2187 11:32AM (9/26/2009)
I want to know if it will work with the Navagon software. That would be sweet.
Reply
L3 11:55AM (9/26/2009)
I have read that the kit GPS is effective with or without the tomtom app, meaning that it should improve performance of the phone's GPS usage for any app.
larry a 11:34AM (9/26/2009)
God darnit, I really wanted this app. I would have gotten it if the whole thing was 100 bucks. Screw you Tom Tom! Eat sh!t, you'll never get my money!
Reply
ack154 11:37AM (9/26/2009)
For that $$ I think I'd rather just buy a whole new external device. That's insane. If anything make a bundle for $150 or $175 or something. But over $200 for both? GTFO.
Reply
carguy 11:42AM (9/26/2009)
Well, iPhone users certainly aren't scared off by a large price tag so this comes as no surprise.
Reply
waiownsyou 11:43AM (9/26/2009)
The phone already includes Maps, which pulls data off Google and finds your location via GPS. The 3G S even has a magnetic compass. If you really need to pay for an app that does the same thing but announces how to drive, then you really have a problem, especially if the kit costs more than the phone on contract itself.
FAIL
Reply
Paul 12:15PM (9/26/2009)
Actually, the Tom Tom app has the map data on the device. Kind of handy when you're out in the boonies with no or slow data connection.
Thomas 11:56AM (9/26/2009)
Well, you have to keep in mind that this kit will cannibalize their dedicated GPS unit sales, although I do expect that the price will eventually become more reasonable.
Reply
Randy 10:47AM (9/27/2009)
It won't really cannibalize their dedicated unit sales. The barrier to entry is you need to have an iPhone which costs an additional $199-$299. As popular as the iPhone is, not everyone who wants a navigation system owns or is willing to own iPhone.
Joseph 12:01PM (9/26/2009)
You forgot the price of the Iphone itself: $100-$300 plus $80+ a month
Reply
Aloysius Vampa 12:08PM (9/26/2009)
Read the following keeping in mind that I have an iPhone and I love it:
This is a complete and total waste of money. TomTom is seriously dreaming if they think this will be a success.
Reply