TomTom

Closely following the announcement that Magellan's car kit and iPhone nav app, RoadMate 2010 North America [App Store, $79.99] TomTom has announced that they plan to release a second car kit geared directly to the iPod touch.

TomTom today released an update for all versions of its turn-by-turn navigation application for the iPhone. This new version, which we reported on last week, includes quite a few improvements, including support for the original iPhone and all versions of the iPod touch.

The TomTom navigation app for the iPhone [App Store, $99.99] will soon receive a major software update, per a company announcement on Thursday. Some planned changes include the addition of text-to-speech, a feature common to most dedicated GPS devices, providing an audio description of directions for busy drivers. The update will also include lane guidance, showing necessary switches at difficult intersections.

Contradicting previous rumors, TomTom has stated that their recently launched TomTom GPS Car Kit will not add GPS capability to Apple's touchscreen handhelds that do not have GPS chips of their own, namely the first generation iPhone and all current and past models of iPod touch. The car kit has a GPS unit built in that it uses for navigation with the iPhone 3GS to enhance functionality, leading some to believe that it could be made to work with non-GPS devices.

The TomTom car kit has appeared once again on the online Apple Store for $119.95, this time in the US store. The kit not only puts your iPhone within easy view and of the driver, but also enhances its GPS capabilities. It also provides hands-free calling and an audio-out connector to plug it into your car's audio system, though the cable is not included.

You can get the TomTom car kit in the US Online Apple Store for $119.95.

For those of you hankering for an iPhone GPS system in your car, GPS outfit TomTom has announced that its car kit for the iPhone will ship in October for $120 (or €99 if you live on the other side of the Atlantic from me). Per Macworld, the kit will include a powerful GPS chip, built-in speaker, power cable, and more.

TomTom's highly anticipated hardware accessory for the iPhone and iPod touch with an external GPS receiver recently became available in several European Apple online stores. They are priced at £99.95 (US$164.10) in the UK and 99.95 Euro (US$147.90) in other European countries, and includes the companion iPhone application.

As much as you want the TomTom iPhone Kit, you'll have to wait a bit longer.

According to AppleInsider, TomTom spokesman Kevin Carter has confirmed that the company's iPhone hardware kit will not be available for its previously announced summer release deadline, though no specific reason was given. The accessory is a cradle that will interface with the iPhone and provide enhanced GPS capabilities.

If you were doubting the probability of a TomTom Car Kit for the iPhone, Engadget is reporting that the company just received full FCC approval for the device.

TomTom has also confirmed that their GPS car kit will work with the iPod touch as suspected, as well as with 3rd party GPS apps. According to TomTom PR representative Yann Lafargue:

Oui, je confirme et il fonctionnera avec un iPod Touch ou d'autres logiciels de navigations concurrents. Pour la disponibilité, je ne peux pas répondre.

It will work with the iPod touch and other competing GPS (iPhone OS) software. I can't comment on availability.