GPS on iPhone: TomTom jumps in; others may follow

The new iPhone 3G S features a built-in compass, and GPS manufacturers are working on downloadable navigation apps. [Photo courtesy of Apple]

After the unveiling of the new iPhone 3G S, the biggest buzz from yesterday’s Apple Worldwide Developers Conference was arguably the announcement of turn-by-turn navigation for iPhones, starting with an application from GPS manufacturer Tom Tom.

The announcements promise to significantly improve the limited navigation capabilities of iPhones, under their current operating system, which will be upgraded to the new iPhone 3.0 on June 17.

Our colleagues in the Cars department have done a bit more digging into the Tom Tom announcement, set for release date later this summer; the price is as yet undisclosed. According to a rep, the maps and software will resemble the brand’s standalone GPS units. Intended for use in the car, the app will give turn-by-turn directions to destinations and will be able to create routes to addresses in the phone’s address book.

The company says it will also offer a car kit with “secure docking, enhanced GPS performance, clear voice instructions and hands-free calling, while charging your iPhone at the same time.”

But other GPS manufacturers may soon jump onto the GPS platform offered by iPhone 3.0, say our Cars colleagues. Next up, they say, may be Navigon, which announced its departure from selling GPS units in North America while leaving open the possibility of offering their own GPS applications for smart phones.

Will iPhone apps mark the beginning of the end for standalone GPS units? Maybe. While there’s a welcome convergence to using a smart phone as your GPS device, there are also some downsides. iPhones, including the upcoming 3G S, have 3.5-inch screens—which our Cars colleagues say are fine, though larger screens allow more information to be displayed. And family members can share a GPS-enabled iPhone less easily than they can a GPS unit, since the iPhone is also, well, someone’s phone. Finally, it’s unclear what iPhone GPS apps might cost; they could be very pricey.

What do you think? Would you consider using your smart phone as your GPS unit?

Comments

[Garmin GPS Compared]

Putting a GPS app on the iPhone is a sweet arrangement. I'm just wondering what would happen if ever there are incoming calls. But overall, it's really innovative. Good thinking, TomTom!

[TJ Leeland]

It's not "in a word" if you write paragraph following up the "yes." :)

I agree that this will depend on price. If it's $50 with the doc, yes. If it's $100; maybe. If it's over $100, very doubful unless it works in places the AT&T network won't -- off road for example. Under no circumstances would I pay more than $150, including the dock.

[JPSNagi]

I like the idea of my iPhone having a GPS. But I have few concerns:

1. It is my phone, and I can't just hand it over to my wife and tell here ... "here you go dear, use the GPS". So that is kinda not very lucrative option.

2. iPhone already does have an A-GPS (Assisted GPS), which means it uses the Cell phone towers. But what happens when I drive to the beach, or to the fossil site, where there are no Cell phone towers?

Let me explain this concern a little more. TomTom announced that the TomTom Car Kit for the iPhone will "enhance" the GPS signal. Does that mean that they have a regular GPS receiver in the iPhone Docking station which will allow them to switch seamlessly between A-GPS and GPS (that would be great). Or are they just "amplifying" the A-GPS signal with a bigger receiver antenna in the dock (which will be worthless).

I guess I will have to wait and see. Till them my old TomTom is working great.

[Alisson Godoi]

They are talking about 50 bucks. I thing that it's too much. With 100 bucks you can buy a complete GPS system (software + hardware). I think that it's better because you don't need to put your iphone to work as a GPS instead of having a ready-to-go one in your car.
I think that a good price could be around 20 bucks, up to most 25 bucks, to make it worth.

[Benji]

I've been using CoPilot Live on my Windows Mobile device for years. It's nice, as an internet connection isn't required, but does enhance the experience if available with traffic updates. It can be a hassle when you get a call when an important turn is coming up and the map suddenly goes away, but I have a feeling they will have made this a function of the software. In Europe, the software also alerts you to upcoming traffic cameras, hopefully we'll start seeing that in US products. Having pre-order a 3G-S, I'm looking forward to trying it out ;)

[Tim]

I also am definitely interested, but only if it will work on my existing iPhone 3G. I recently purchased (February) a refurbished iPhone 3G, so I am not eligible for the discounted upgrade until 10/2010, so AT&T says. I, however, can wait if need be for a refurbished 3GS during that timeframe. But by then, Apple will have come out with yet ANOTHER upgraded phone.

What I REALLY don't understand is why Apple can't implement voice activated dialing into the existing iPhones, unless it requires a hardware upgrade.

[Steve K]

Consolidation of devices is always a wonderful thing. I need to update my aging Garmin eTrex device, and for approximately the same cost of a decent new GPS unit(for navigation and geocaching) I can now get a smartphone with GPS/web access/email/music/movies. I am definitely interested in this upgrade.

[Matthew]

In a word, yes. The iPhone already does everything else and it is always with me. Why not make it a GPS also? Just make sure the price is reasonable. But, since there will be competition (most likey) it should be.