TomTom iPhone GPS navigation app arrives in Australia

Stephen Withers
Monday, 17 August 2009 06:07

Your IT - Mobility

TomTom's turn-by-turn car navigation application for the iPhone was released for Australia over the weekend.

TomTom Australia, a $A99.99 application now available from Apple's App Store provides turn-by-turn directions using TomTom's IQ routes technology to show "the smartest, most efficient route" - not necessarily the shortest.

The software uses familiar iPhone features such as pinching to zoom in or out on maps, portrait and landscape display, and integrates with the contacts list to provide directions to stored addresses.

TomTom Australia is a 157M download.

Given the laws restricting the use of handheld phones by drivers in various states and territories, it would seem sensible to mount the iPhone in a suitable cradle when using TomTom Australia.

TomTom has designed an iPhone car kit "for secure docking, enhanced GPS performance, clear voice instructions, hands-free calling and in-car charging", but there's no indication of when it will go on sale in Australia or at what price.

TomTom was beaten to the punch by Sygic's Mobile Maps Australia and New Zealand, which was released in early June for $A79.99. Like TomTom, Sygic uses the Whereis maps from Telstra subsidiary.

There's also Navigon MobileNavigator Australia ($A69.99), released in July and using Navteq maps.