Human drivers can live with a GPS system that tells them they're on a side road when they're actually in a parallel street right next to it. But for driverless cars we need higher precision, and that's what TomTom is working on with HD Maps and RoadDNA.
It really was an excellent idea... to be guided to your destination by Jeremy Clarkson - one of the most iconic petrol-heads in the world, courtesy of the hugely popular Top Gear, (or would it be that Top Gear is popular. because it has Jeremy Clakson?... Guess we'll never know! :) in the latest TomTom Top Gear edition navigation system.
Sure enough, each instruction would be "enhanced" by Clarkson's unmistakable remarks, like: "after 700 yards, assuming this car can make it that far, you have reached your destination, with the aid of 32 satellites an me – well done!"
Unfortunately... with over 50k units already built - some of which already in the stores - BBC stepped back from the deal, only then remembering its own editorial guidelines:
“Those working on consumer programs must take particular care not to endorse any product or service which could be covered in the programs on which they work and they should have no commercial or other links which could appear to influence their BBC work”.
It's really a shame... But I suspect these - now rare - TomTom Top Gear edition GPS units will soon pop up in ebay and other online stores for Top Gear die hard fans to bid their hearts out to get it - though I would assume that voice pack will eventually make its way into the internet "underground" and be available to anyone really wanting to get it.
The latest TomTom for iPhone update has several improvements. Not only you now have retina display support on your iPhone 4 and faster operation, you can now navigate to places where photos were taken.
Of course, this doesn't involve any sort of advanced image recognition (like Google Goggle) - it simply uses the geotagged photos of your iPhone so you can quickly return to any place you've been... provided you snapped a photo there.
Not exactly rocket science, but a nice touch nonetheless! :)
While most of us have been anxiously waiting for TomTom to offer the iPhone version of its popular GPS navigation software, which was announced at Apple's WWDC, it seem we'll have to wait some more.
As a matter of fact, TomTom for the iPhone won't be a software only product, and will be launched at the same time of an accompanying Car kit for the iPhone.
We're all aware of some "unique" challenges the iPhone poses.
The GPS signal reception isn't that good (when compared to dedicated GPS navigation units), something that has been noticed by anyone using the already present navigation Apps in the App Store.
It isn't that hard to lose GPS signal while surrounded by large buildings, or entering tunnels (dedicated units often have gyroscopes and other hardware to compensate for that.)
I hope they'll be able to use the iPhone 3GS digital compass and its accelerometers to mimic that somehow.
Next... most iPhone owners don't have a car stand to allow safe use while driving.
And last but not least, as Apple doesn't allow background running apps, whenever you receive a phone call the App will be forced to close, leaving you... driving without directions.
That's why TomTom chose to develop this TomTom Car Kit.
This kit has its own dedicated GPS receiver, with better reception, that keeps you on track no matter where you're driving through. The TomTom iPhone app automatically uses the enhanced GPS when docked, and reverts to the internal GPS when away from the vehicle.
This car kit also includes a speaker with better audio quality and louder volume, which is appreciated for the voice directions. It also has a microphone, allowing you to use it as a bluetooth speakerphone; as well as an audio out jack.
That's why I'd find it really hard to believe this can come out at an "interesting price"; considering you can now buy dedicted GPS navigation units for under 100 euros, and some iPhone GPS navigation Apps alone cost nearly as much.
With the car kit and all... I'm sure you'll be able to buy a complete unit - that keeps giving you directions even while you receive a phone call - for a lot less than this whole deal will cost you.
But... I hope I'm wrong, and this turns out to be a great deal for everyone.
At last!
One of the major disappointments of the iPhone 3G and its GPS was the inability to replace your existing GPS navigation unit.
Sure you won't get lost with your iPhone, however there was no way to have it working like you TomTom or Garmin units with turn-by-turn directions.
This has mostly to do with the terms of use of Google Maps that explicitely prohibit this kind of use (most likely so they don't get sued should someone get lost because they lost Internet connection.)
People knew Telenav was already working on this, and even TomTom has rumoured to have their software running on the iPhone... however, it seems they'll both be beaten to market by XRoad which is about to launch their G-Map for the iPhone this month. (Keep your eyes open in the App Store.)
The maps are downloaded from the Internet and stored in your iPhone, meaning you won't require any kind of Internet connection to navigate wherever you please.
Now...I just wonder how much longer it will take for the other companies to jump into the bandwagon and start launching their GPS navigation Apps.
While most of us have been anxiously waiting for TomTom to offer the iPhone version of its popular GPS navigation software, which was announced at Apple's WWDC, it seem we'll have to wait some more.
