TomTom iPhone GPS navigation app: Review

Software from this brand-name navigation company is among the best

TomTom, the portable navigation device maker, has expanded into software applications with a turn-by-turn iPhone application. It brings the easy-to-use interface from its dashboard devices to the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S, though at a hefty price.

The TomTom application uses the one-time fee instead of a subscription-based pricing plan. By purchasing the software rather than subscribing to a monthly service, a user gets all points of interest and map data preloaded and the POI does not need cell coverage for navigation. But the preloaded data may not be as current as data from a server-based, cell-phone application, though we favor onboard data for convenience and speed.

We paid $99.99 for version 1.2, which included a map database covering the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It uses 1.3 gigs of memory.

Key features include:

• POI calling
• 18 languages
• Historic traffic data
• Automatic rerouting
• iPod integration
• Text-to-speech
• Lane assistance
• Reality view
• Address-book integration
• Full North American maps
• Landscape and portrait view

Initial impressions

Navigating menus is similar to using TomTom personal navigation devices, with familiar icons and function choices. Benefiting from the iPhone's native abilities, the graphics are displayed with more-vivid colors and crisper details than those on a traditional TomTom navigator. The navigational abilities are true to the TomTom form, providing good verbal directions and displayed information. But the on-screen data and buttons can feel small.

The iPhone application includes TomTom's IQ Routes, a helpful feature that can plan routes and estimate travel times based on historic travel data. While not a substitute for real-time traffic information, it does add intelligence to the routing, smartly accounting for the differences between rush hour and off-peak traffic flows.

The TomTom app lacks some features found on other iPhone software and common to PNDs. For example, it does not provide multi-destination routing, or coordinate entry—an alternative to address entry to find a location that can be useful in newly developed areas, remote locations, or aiding in roadside emergencies. Less obvious omissions are keyboard preferences (ability to switch from QWERTY to alphabetical), and speed-adjusting volume. Those shortcomings reduce the appeal, given the heady price tag.

As experienced with other iPhone applications, the GPS accuracy is adequate but not on par with traditional, portable navigators. The lack of precision can lead to odd location displays, unwanted recalculations, or delayed routing instructions. Another common complaint we have had is with poor voice quality and low volume. Luckily, TomTom makes a "car kit" that includes a built-in speaker and a GPS chipset that enhances reception and provides a mounting and charging solution. Other benefits of the Car Kit are hands free calling and an audio output. It sells separately for $120. (Read our test drive of the TomTom Car Kit.)

While it has a few limitations as a pure navigation tool, the app does integrate well with the iPhone. For example, navigation automatically restarts and resumes the guidance after a call is ended, with no need to touch the screen. It operates in landscape and portrait view, contact information can be used for destinations, and the software also allows a user to call a POI with the touch of a button.

An iPhone running the TomTom application can play music while navigating, though without the ability to pick songs from the user's library, or the ability to set volume levels for music and navigation instructions separately. It simply runs through a play list or music catalog, with play/pause, previous, and next control. The music is muted when a navigation instruction is given, as with factory in-dash systems.

CR's take

The TomTom iPhone application feels familiar, sharing its basic functions and configurations with the company's well-rated PNDs. The application coupled with the Car Kit really puts it on level playing field with a PND. For consumers seeking an all-in-one device, the bundling of the application and Car Cit presents a good option. However, this combination of products is expensive. For example a portable navigator such as the One 140S can be $100 cheaper, provide good navigation, and be readily shared with other drivers—something that is not likely with a personal cell phone.

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