Autoblog

TomTom and Zipcar announce new apps for iPhone

Chris Shunk — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:28:00 EST

For all of you who aren't Apple fanboys and haven't been refreshing Engadget's live coverage of the 2009 WWDC this afternoon, there's some major news involving everyone's favorite little smart phone and two big auto-related companies.

The first is a new app from TomTom that was previewed back in January but finally became official today. The long awaited TomTom app will turn your iPhone into a full feature navigation system, a function this phone's been sorely lacking for quite a while despite housing the hardware to make it happen. While pricing wasn't given, TomTom will also be offering a mounting accessory that will hold the phone in either portrait or landscape mode and charge it while you navigate.

The other app is from car sharing service Zipcar. This one's particularly neat, allowing a user to locate him or herself relative to the nearest available car for rent, purchase the drive time and even unlock the car's door, all from inside the app. The program's ease of use could make a big impact on Zipcar's popularity, as currently the only way to make reservations is through the web.

[Source: Engadget]

TomTom and Zipcar announce new apps for iPhone originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 3.0 software adds turn-by-turn directions

John Neff — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Technology

When Apple debuted its second generation iPhone 3G, the inclusion of GPS hardware suggested that the everything device might soon replace that TomTom suction-cupped to your windshield by offering real turn-by-turn directions. Other phones offer this functionality, but for whatever reason, Apple forbid it on the iPhone despite the device technically having the capability to pull it off.

Today the Cupertino-based company previewed the iPhone OS 3.0, a new software update on the way that, among many new features, will finally allow turn-by-turn directions. While details are scarce, the new functionality is apparently being opened to software developers who can write their own navigation apps for the iPhone and sell them through the iTunes App Store. The only catch mentioned is that developers will have to provide their own maps, suggesting that plugging into the iPhone's native Google Maps is a no-no. We suspect current third-party navigation manufacturers like TomTom, Garmin and Magellan will be all over this.

Click here to read Engadget's live coverage of the Apple iPhone OS 3.0 preview event.

[Source: Engadget]

iPhone 3.0 software adds turn-by-turn directions originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Should've bought a Garmin? Testing the iPhone 3G's GPS capabilities

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., I.C.E., Technology

Yes, we were among the suckers who endured the idiotic lines, activation woes and intermittent service that you've undoubtedly read about after the iPhone 3G's launch this past Friday. But our reason for suffering through myriad hassles to get our hands on Apple's newest hotness wasn't purely selfish. We wanted to see whether the iPhone 3G's new GPS functionality was worth the cost of admission or if we'd be better off buying one of the many stand-alone navigation units currently on the market. Make the jump to find out if it's worth your hard-earned cash and a place on your dash.

Gallery: iPhone 3G GPS Review

Continue reading Should've bought a Garmin? Testing the iPhone 3G's GPS capabilities

Should've bought a Garmin? Testing the iPhone 3G's GPS capabilities originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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