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]

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