TomTom release FREE iPhone navigation update

MikeB · Last edited by MikeB on Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:41 pm; edited 1 time in total

After a long wait the TomTom iPhone App hit the Apple AppStore and to be honest there was a lot of unhappy users out there. The application was significantly cut down in terms of functionality from what we were expecting.

Well today TomTom have gone a long way to make amends by providing an update: adding Text to Speech, Advanced Lane Guidance, New Maps, Customisable speed camera warnings, new speed cameras, and an in-app iPod player. In a way this is just catching up with some of the Apps that are already out there, but is certainly a very welcome update. Best of all though it is free to all current users.

The application has been sent to Apple for review so it should appear in the AppStore in the next few days.

The Official TomTom PR:

Users of TomTom’s popular iPhone navigation application will soon be able to enjoy even more advanced features, with a free update ensuring users always have the best navigation experience.

This update, which is being submitted to Apple for review today and will be awaiting their approval, will bring significant and advanced additional features that TomTom fans around the world have come to appreciate. These are:

Advanced lane guidance giving drivers extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions. For the first time this is in both landscape and portrait mode.

Text-to-speech helping motorists to keep their eyes on the road by enabling street names and places to be read aloud as part of the spoken instructions.

“Help Me” providing direct access to emergency numbers and directions to the nearest emergency providers.

Updated map and safety camera database. Safety Camera information is available in selected European countries including: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom.

Customisable audio warnings when approaching safety cameras or driving over the speed limit, increasing driver safety and saving money.

iPod player control ensuring drivers can conveniently control their music from within the application.

“The TomTom app for iPhone is a priority for us and we are committed to both its long term development and everyday improvements,” said Benoit Simeray, TomTom’s senior vice president, On-board Mobile. “Current and future customers of our application for the iPhone can count on more great updates from TomTom for free.”

This update will be for: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Australia and New Zealand
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Mike Barrett

ttrevor · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:12 pm Post subject:

Great news thanks Mike, I am pleased TomTom have updated there program as it was a very poor start and I hardly ever use it, I have there TomTom kit and I must say it is brilliant.
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Iphone x 64gb IOS 11.3.1 / IPhone 6 Plus 32gb IOS 12 beta /Volkswagen Scirocco R 280 bhp /Suzuki Vitara swb vvt+ /Suzuki Jimny special/running Apple Mac Mini / Apple air/ iPhone x /6 plus navigation / Apple car-play

mikealder · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:43 pm Post subject:

After this update all we need adding to the app is Live services and an easy way to add custom POI files, I wonder if the old modified data.chk could be employed for spoken alerts with PGPSW speed cams for those using a JB phone - Mike

MikeB · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 7:08 pm Post subject:

SSR · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 26, 2005 Posts: 432

Well there's a turnaround. Did heads roll somewhere at TomTom?

Ditto on Live Services and custom PoI files.

Seamaster · Frequent Visitor Joined: Jun 05, 2006 Posts: 331

Devdarshan · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 07, 2007 Posts: 5

Does this update mean that we can now have PGPSW speed cam database on the iphone with warnings?

mrg2003 · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 1:14 am Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 10:50 am Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 10:56 am Post subject:

mark1968 · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 10:50 pm Post subject:

I hope that they have included itinary planning this time and also the abilityh to add the location to a POI file.

In addition traffic would be very welcome.

Does anyone know how long it takes apple to approve apps?
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SSR · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 26, 2005 Posts: 432

Darren: Perhaps referring to the current TomTom version on the iPhone? Wink

mark1968: Seems to be weeks more than days, although I don't know whether updates go through an identical process to new apps.

alan_dr · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 12:23 pm Post subject:

I think updates have a fast track, and emergency fixes are even quicker. Due to a change in the apps store data, an app I use started failing on a Saturday, I reported the problem which was fixed immediateyl, and by Thursday the update was released.
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Alan - iPhone 5 64GB, with CamerAlert, TomTom Europe & CoPilot

SSR · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 26, 2005 Posts: 432

Fingers crossed it's quick, but in some senses it's too little too late from TomTom. Navigon and CoPilot aren't far off having their traffic systems in place, and Navigon's is a fraction of the cost of TomTom's standalone equivalent.

As for this being a "FREE" update - which I meant to mention a few replies back - if TomTom had charged for this I would never buy one of their products again. Albeit I'm not sure I will anyway unless they can really turn it around.

nashmills · Regular Visitor Joined: Nov 10, 2006 Posts: 131

I think if the update is all it seems, tomtom's app will easily be the best of the current crop on the iPhone. Even now, I find its routes are far better than Navigon's and although I haven't tried Copilot, I've read that a lot of trial and error is involved in tweaking the settings to get anything sensible.

I assume tomtom's trump card is its IQ routes data which seems to work for me. After all, the main reason for a sat nav is to be told the best route from A to B. After the update all it will need is live search and traffic to be perfect - I can but hope!

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