No TomTom Car Kit Compatibility for iPod Touch? [Updated]

AppleInsider has received word from TomTom that the company's iPhone Car Kit, just now starting to become available, will not be compatible with the iPod touch or first-generation iPhone. There is some uncertainty, however, over the exact status of the situation.

Since it appeared for order on the Apple Store last week, the hardware's Web page has read: "Note: The TomTom app for iPhone is not included with this TomTom Car Kit. The Car Kit dock is compatible with all iPhone models, but the Car Kit app only works with iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G."

When asked whether the application could be updated to allow it to work with the iPod touch and first-generation iPhone, a company spokesman simply said that TomTom has not made any "public announcements."

It is not entirely clear whether the reference to "Car Kit app" in the Apple Store listing refers to the paid TomTom navigation software sold separately or the free Car Kit tool [App Store] released today that provides diagnostic information on the car kit. The Car Kit tool's App Store description, however, does indicate that it is compatible with all iPhone models. Regardless, TomTom's comment does not appear to entirely rule out the possibility of adding compatibility with the iPod touch in the future.

Many iPod touch users had been hoping that the car kit, which utilizes a built-in GPS receiver, would bring turn-by-turn navigation to their devices, and comments from a TomTom public relations manager had previously suggested that the functionality would in fact exist. There is also no word on the claimed car kit support for third-party GPS applications, although TomTom may not specifically need to offer any such support, as the burden likely simply falls on the developers of other applications to utilize the features offered by the car kit.

iPod touch users may ultimately have to rely on other solutions such as the PosiMotion G-Fi router coupled with GeoLife's forthcoming Navmii application in order to obtain GPS navigation capabilities on their devices.

Update: Several readers have pointed us to videos showing users taking advantage of the TomTom Car Kit to utilize Google Maps and Navigon GPS compatibility with the original iPhone, which lacks built-in GPS functionality. The demonstrations agree with TomTom's claim that the Car Kit is compatible with all iPhone models and does support the claim that other developers' GPS applications can take advantage of the car kit's functionality, but we have yet to see evidence of the iPod touch exhibiting similar functionality with GPS applications from TomTom or other developers.

Related Forum: iPod touch and iPod

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

iOS 17.4.1 Update for iPhone is Imminent

Monday March 18, 2024 5:27 am PDT by
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. ...
M3 iPad Feature 3

New iPads Likely to Begin Shipping in April

Monday March 18, 2024 9:52 am PDT by
Apple's new iPad Pro models with OLED displays will likely begin shipping to customers in April, according to information shared today by Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also said the new iPad Pro models might not ship until "deeper" into April in his Power On newsletter on Sunday:I've repeatedly said that new...
iOS 17 Passkey With Apple ACCOUNT Feature

'Apple ID' Expected to Change to 'Apple Account' Starting With iOS 18

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:13 am PDT by
MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to rebrand "Apple ID" to "Apple Account" across its software platforms and websites like iCloud.com as early as this year, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has corroborated this change. A mockup of the new Apple Account branding In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new "Apple Account" branding will start to be used later this...