iPhone Tom Tom

Information on the eagly anticipated TomTom for iPhone. This combination of an iPhone app providing turn-by-turn driving directions and a hardware accessory, the Car Kit for iPhone, that enhances the app will enable the iPhone to take the place of a standalone GPS unit for many users. Unfortunately, TomTom CTO Peter-Frans Pauwels didn’t provide many details during that demonstration other than to say that TomTom for iPhone would be available “later this summer.”

iPhone Tom Tom Video

iPhone challenges

While other vendors have announced, and in some cases already released, navigation apps for the iPhone (AT&T’s Navigator and Sygic’s Mobile Maps are a couple of the latter), Murray noted that TomTom for iPhone is unique because it’s a two-part solution. By combining software and hardware, the company says it can provide an experience that’s much more comparable to that of a standalone navigation unit than an app on its own.

According to Murray, the biggest challenge presented by an iPhone-based navigation solution is that dedicated navigation devices have better GPS reception than an unassisted iPhone. In addition, the iPhone doesn’t include any of the special technologies TomTom implements in its own navigation units; for example, gyroscopes and other hardware that allow a unit to better approximate its position when it loses the GPS signal in, say, a tunnel. The size of the iPhone is also an issue—4.3-inch screens are becoming the standard for standalone devices, while the iPhone’s screen is only 3.5 inches in size. And few iPhone owners have car mounts for positioning the phone safely while driving.

There are also logistical issues. For example, because the iPhone doesn’t support background processes, any navigation app must shut down during phone calls, making real-time tracking difficult—something that doesn’t happen on a dedicated GPS unit, even one that includes telephony features. And while the iPhone offers far more space for data storage than do most GPS units, the company recognizes that iPhone owners will want to use much of that space for apps and media, so navigation apps need to avoid abusing the opportunity.

Car Kit not required, but recommended

iPhone owners will be able to purchase and use the TomTom software and maps without the Car Kit hardware accessory; however, the Car Kit for iPhone was designed to enhance the software by addressing several of the limitations mentioned above. For starters, the Car Kit includes a separate GPS receiver that performs better than the one built into the iPhone; Murray said this receiver is closer to what you’d find in a dedicated GPS unit. The TomTom app uses this receiver when your iPhone is docked in the Car Kit, allowing for improved real-time navigation, especially in cities with large buildings or in locations with lots of trees or other natural obstacles. The Car Kit also includes a built-in speaker that provides better audio quality and considerably louder output, making it easier to hear spoken directions.

The Car Kit is also a car mount for placing your iPhone in a safe location for driving. The unit includes the same EasyPort mount as TomTom’s recent standalone GPS units, letting you adjust the cradle’s angle, rotation, and relative position (you can position the cradle sitting on or hanging from the mount). The mount locks in place when in use, and folds flat for easier storage. The Kit's power cable plugs into your car’s accessory jack or any USB power source and charges your iPhone while docked.

Finally, the Car Kit includes several additional audio features. For example, it includes a 1/8-inch audio-output jack for connecting the iPhone and Car Kit to any car stereo with an auxiliary-input jack; this lets you listen to both navigation directions and iPhone audio—including music—through your car stereo. You also get a microphone that lets you use the Car Kit as a Bluetooth speakerphone. (Yes, even though the iPhone physically connects to the Car Kit, it uses a Bluetooth connection for phone calls.)

We asked TomTom how the company will promote the TomTom for iPhone package, given that the software and hardware will necessarily be sold and distributed separately—the app through the App Store, the hardware through other outlets. The company says it intends to sell each separately, as well to bundle the two, but that making people aware of the hardware if they purchase the software first will be the biggest challenge.

TomTom features, iPhone UI

While the iPhone’s hardware can’t match that of a standalone GPS unit, Murray noted that TomTom is taking advantage of the iPhone’s own unique features to enhance the app. For example, unlike TomTom’s dedicated GPS devices, the TomTom app’s interface has portrait and landscape modes depending, of course, on how the phone is oriented. You can also use the iPhone’s multi-touch gestures—tap, swipe, pinch, and zoom—to navigate the interface and zoom in and out of maps. You’ll also be able to access your iPhone contacts from within the TomTom app, letting you quickly choose a destination or starting point from a contact’s information. (Integration with other apps has not yet been announced.)

Mapping and navigation will apparently work much as they do on the company’s standalone units, with a similar interface, most of the same core features, and similar voice-guided navigation. The app will include TomTom’s IQ Routes feature, which takes advantage of other TomTom GPS owners’ driving experiences to determine the actual speeds driven on particular routes at particular times of day. Murray said the “trillions of bits of data” lets IQ Routes provide accurate information about historical drive-speed norms, generating more accurate drive times and letting the software choose the actual fastest route, which may not be the same as the shortest route.

One feature Murray couldn’t yet confirm or deny is Map Share, which lets users make route corrections—for example, road closures or incorrect street information—on their devices and then sync those changes with TomTom’s servers to share them with other users.

(When asked which TomTom GPS unit the iPhone will most-closely compare with, Murray said there is none—the iPhone’s screen size makes it similar to the older, 3.5-inch-screen models, but features such as IQ Routes make its software more similar to that of newer models.)

Pricing and availability haven’t yet arrived

Unfortunately, TomTom wasn’t able to provide concrete information about pricing and availability—the company is still saying simply “later this summer.” However, Murray did tell us that the company is leaning towards a set price for the application and maps, rather than taking the subscription approach of AT&T. The application you purchase through the App Store will include the TomTom navigation software and the latest TeleAtlas maps for your area; North America and Europe will be the initial areas offered.

Due to the size of the maps, the download will be quite large for an iPhone app—close to 1GB. (TomTom doesn’t yet know if the download will be restricted to WiFi connections.) iPhone users will be able to update their maps, although the policy and process for updating—for example, via in-app purchasing, App Store updates, or using software similar to TomTom Home—has yet to be determined.

Get free iPhone ringtone from iTunes in 16 steps

Want to make an iPhone ringtone from a song in iTunes for free then follow these 16 steps. You don't want to pay for a song twice to get a ringtone. There are plenty of songs in your iTunes music library, but no way to make ringtones from any of them. Actually, with a little bit of trickery (nothing illegal) you can create ringtones from any one of your non-DRM songs in your iTunes library easily, and for free. This works on both Mac and Windows PCs. Follow these 16 steps or the videos below:

Step 1
Find the song on your itunes pc or laptop that you want to make into a ringtone.

Step 2
Listen to the song and find the part of it you want to use. The chorus may be a good place to start.

Step 3
Write down the start and stop times of the clip.

Step 4
Right-click the song and select "Get Info."

Step 5
Click the "Options" tab.

Step 6
Type in the start time of your ringtone in the text box next to "Start Time" in the minutes: seconds (i.e. 2:01) format.

Step 7
Type in the end time of your ringtone in the text box next to "Stop Time." Make sure the ringtone is no more than 40 seconds long.

Step 8
Click "OK".

Step 9
Right-click your song again and select "Convert Selection to AAC". Wait for iTunes to convert your song. It will create a duplicate version.

Step 10
Right-click the ringtone and select "Delete".

Step 11
Click on the "Keep Files" button.

Step 12
Find the file. It's usually in your User folder under Music > iTunes > iTunes Music and under the band's name. It will have an extension of "m4a."

Step 13
Replace the "m4a" extension of your ringtone with "m4r". You can either double-click slowly to re-name your file, or right-click and select "Get Info" on a Mac or "Rename" on a Windows PC.

Step 14
Click "Use .m4r" or the PC equivalent when the system warns you that the change may affect the use of your file.

Step 15
Double-click the ringtone file. ITunes will automatically add it to your ringtones folder in your iTunes Music Library.

Step 16
Connect your iPhone and sync your ringtones.


iPhone Ringtone Videos

This way of converting your song in iTunes to make a ringtone for your iPhone i'm sure will not be available for long, but it still works today (06.07.09)

Mover - Transfer pics and contacts between iPhones

Check out this cool iPhone app called mover which allows you to transfer photos or contacts through iPhones (or iPod Touchs, too). All you need is an wi-fi network and other device(s) running the app. The best part is, all this coolness is for free!

Features

• No pairing needed. Just run mover on devices on wi-fi, and you’re ready to share
• No hassle over what’s coming and going; everything is saved in place automatically
• Multiple peers allowed; as stated, share your things as easy as dealing cards to your friends.
• Comes also with Russian, Swedish, French support
• Seeing is believing; see Mover on action.
  

Now get Mover from app store, for free!

Watch Mover iPhone App Demo Video

Cool iPhone Apps

Get the most from your iPhone with these 64 cool iPhone apps. Lots of cool tools and gadgets including weather, sports, news, games, music, an eBook reader, even time management apps: they’re all here. Check them out!

Personal Productivity

1) Befree 4 iPhone
Enables remote control of your PC from your mobile device. It’s freeware, but the paid pro version allows you remote access to all the files stored on your PC hard drive.

2) iBay
Search eBay on your iPhone. (You bought that handheld to help you shop, didn’t you?)

3) iWebSaver
Lets you save your favorite Web sites and applications to your iPhone (or iPod). It’s simple: type in an URL, click “Save it now,” and chose “Add bookmark.” Also available as the iWebSaverFavlet

4) 911 Help
Turn your iPhone into a safety device: this app displays a big bold red 911 sign visible dozens of feet away from the device. It flashes to help others realize you need assistance.

5) Can I Drive Yet?
Helps you calculate if you’re sober enough to operate a motor vehicle; enter your relevant data (how many drinks, your body weight, etc.) and it spits out an answer, using national blood alcohol standards.

6) BarCheck
When you’re shopping in your neighborhood store, enter the numbers on an item’s bar code to get review and prices from Amazon, Google and Yahoo. Yup, it’s smart shopping.

7) Widgetop
Helps you manage your collection of widgets. (A widget is a software app that lets you do something. An example is a menu bar or a toggle switch, but there are zillions.)

8) Dictionary
Not just a dictionary, but also a thesaurus. Comes in handy when you’re typing that business email and you want to seem suave.

9) Calorie Counter
Calculate your daily calorie intake based on age, weight and exercise level. If you’re feeling disciplined, it also gives you a number to shoot for to lose weight. (Cupcake, anyone?)

10) Currency Exchange
Keep track of the relative value of the world’s major currencies. Watch the dollar’s precipitous fall right there on your handheld. You might also try eSignal’s Currency Exchange Calculator. In theory the two apps should produce the same numbers.

11) Mortgage Payment Calculator
Calculate your monthly payment on that monstrously expensive house that you can’t afford. (I haven’t yet found an iPhone app that calculates foreclosure costs.)

12) ModGuitars.com Tuner
Helps you tune your guitar. Very useful for those lunchtime gigs that help you pay for your pricey gadgets.

Fun and Enjoyment

13) iDoodle
Let’s face it: you’re too productive. But with iDoodle, you can wile away the hours drawing on your iPhone – circles, polygons, many colors. Designed specifically for the iPhone.

14) xRay
No, it’s not real, but it might fool some of the people some of the time. Tap the screen, hold it over a friend’s hand (someone who scoffs at the iPhone, for example) and tell them you’ll “xRay” their hand. A stock photo of an xRay will show up. Very juvenile, and very cool.

15) Free-Tunes.net A collection of the free songs on iTunes. Sure, they’re little-known bands now, but the price is right, and you might discover a real gem.

16) Podcaster An incredibly useful program to stream audio and video podcasts, using an iTunes-styled control panel.

Illusionist for the iPhone

17) Stripr (for Comics Fans) Helps you manage and view all those online comics you enjoy. Plus: give feedback on comics. Thumbs up or thumbs down on Marmaduke?

18) iPhones Wallpaper Give your iPhone a forest background, or urban, or sunset, or psychedelic. Those pretty flowers are nice, but then there’s also that mountain view…

19) MacLight Turn your iPhone into a flashlight, or give it a “campfire” flickering look, or a strobe light. Might be useful the next time the power grid goes down.

20) The Illusionist Strange, trippy visuals on your iPhone: rolling cylinders, brain conflicts, Escher-like optical mind-twisters. Don’t look at it after your daily double espresso.

Games

21) Castle Feud Slaughter your opponents and leave them dismembered on the field of battle. Cool! A multiplayer game.

22) iSudoku Having this app means never having to be away from your Sodoku addiction. Hey, you can quit whenever you want to, you just don’t want to…

23) Speed Type Measures your typing speed, with the top 200 scores saved. This game is not only fun but also improves your iPhone emailing skills.

24) iConnect4 If you like Connect, you’ll be happy to see iConnect. Can you connect four chips in a row before the iPhone does?

25) mobileLife A cellular automation game, “Game of Life,” has been developed specifically for the iPhone and iPod touch.

26) Madelinette In this game (originally European) you attempt to block your foe from moving. Who will goof up first?

27) Mines Find all the mines that are hidden underneath the boxes – or else.

28) Gumball Bingo A multiplayer game that lets you chat with others while you wait for your winning combo. Plus: play 3 bingo cards at the same time.

29) iget4 Play against your iPhone – and your computer opponent will always shift moves. This game forces you to think.

30) Olympic Sports Compete virtually against the Olympic greats to see if you can capture the gold. Earn glory without the sweat (except for a few cramped fingers).

Information/Updates

31) iNews Scan and read the news from high-profile publications, read RSS feeds, and take a Quick Look at the most critical news. In English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and other languages.

32) PressDisplay Access dozens and dozens of magazines and newspapers from across the globe. Zoom in or zoom out on images.

33) PolitickerScandal, polls, results, breaking news – all the developments about politics.

34) Sticher Radio Pick a radio station and start streaming: comedy, sports, news, finance, and more.

Manage Your Life

35) TouchMailManage and read your email from any of your accounts, including Gmail, Yahoo, or MSN. Lets you read your emails even if you’re stuck behind your company’s firewall.

36) Goal TrackerMonitor your progress toward your personal goals, focusing on using your time more effectively.

37) BudgetBusterTrack your daily-weekly-monthly expenses. How deep in debt are you today?

Olympic Sports for the iPhone

38) ezMemorize Helps you remember all those pesky little factoids that enable you to navigate through life.

39) Noter A to-do list application that works offline or online. In theory, it helps you list all those things you need to do. But do you ever get past item No. 4?

40) Phone Number Trace Learn the identity of who just called you by entering their phone number into this search box. The free info includes location and type of line (landline, cell phone); actually finding the name will cost you $15.

41) Free Stuff Times A list of free stuff on the Internet that’s constantly updated. Yeah, a lot of it’s junk (c’mon, it’s free) but you never know what you might find. How about a free Journal of Accountancy Calculator Calendar (thrills!) or a free Clear Wood Finish shirt? (snazzy!)

42) Song Lyric Search You just can’t get that tune out of your head – but what the heck are the words to the verse?

43) About People Search Use your iPhone or iPod Touch to look up anyone in America by phone number or by name. A useful little app.

44) Pinpoint Location Search Quickly find a gas station, restaurant, wi-fi hotspot, or a residence. Plus: get traffic updates to help you avoid the rush.

45) Background Check Check out an individual’s background, based on public records. The summary result is free, the real dirt costs.

Social Networking

46) Facebook for iPhone Allows you to access the version of Facebook that’s optimized for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

47) Floort – We Know What You’re Thinking A site where you can share your opinions with the world – on any topic – and start a dialogue. “Think of it as your own personal brain blog,” says Floort.

48) webChattr – Live Chat Rooms Easy and free, webChattr is your own personal chat room, whenever you need one. Chat with your whole crew instead of texting each person. The webChattr app is on Bebo and Facebook.

49) PhoneMeeter Share photos, text chat with friends, find a location on a Google map, check out events posted by bars and nightclubs. Think of PhoneMeeter as a mobile network community builder.

50) Fluther Got a question you need answered? Post it to Fluther and get an answer from the crowd. Recent examples: What’s a good place to take pictures in Chicago? What should I get for my birthday?

Sports

51) ScoreMobile iPhone Edition All the sports scores, instantly. NBA, NCAAB, NFL, MLB, NHL. The moment the ball/puck/birdie goes in the hole/hoop/goal, you’ll know about it. Or, you can also use Live Scores, which is updated every 30 seconds.

52) iphodmeter Find out how many calories your workout is burning, and send all your stats by email. Plus: measure walking mileage.

53) iTeeMaster Where’s the nearest golf course? ITeeMaster will clue you in, and with one touch you can call the proshop.

54) NASCAR Schedule Keep track of all the auto racing events, as well as results. Vroom, vroom!

55) Madness2Go Basketball Bracket A Men’s basketball Bracket game specially formatted for the iPhone. Choose and follow your bracket right from your handheld. Play for free, and if you’re lucky (and talented) there’s a chance to win prizes.

Traveling to New and Interesting Places

56) Taxi Please, for the iPhone Kind of funny little app, Taxi Please flashes the word TAXI in big bold black-on-yellow letters, to help you attract a cabbie on a busy city street.

57) Learnit Lists Teach yourself a new language, in a manageable ten words at a time. Each day the app offers a list built from the 1,000 most common English words. (Is “iPhone” one of those words yet?)

58) iTinerary Manage all your flight information, including arrival gate, weather, and maps to the airport.

59) WORLDview for iPhoneProvides all kinds of pertinent factoids for countries all across the globe: history, essential phone numbers, capital city, and more. Don’t be an Ugly American, learn about the culture ahead of time. (Then go visit the McDonald’s like you always do…)

60) Pocket Express Travel Edition A cornucopia of travel aids: airline schedules, flight status, hotel information, reservation services – it's like have a personal assistant built into your phone.

Weather

61) Weather Forecast with Live Camera Because it covers only Japan, this is a niche app. But it still earns a spot on a list of noteworthy apps – its combination of forecast with an updated photo is so cool, I’m hoping the idea spreads to all locations. Just a matter of time, surely.

62) Weather Made Simple Enter a city or a zip code and get current conditions plus a 10-day forecast. Quite useful.

63) The Weather Channel The classic powerhouse of weather information, right on your iPhone. Tons of current information, from any location, in an interactive format.

An iPhone Reader

64) iReading for iPhone and iPod Touch A free online eBook reader for your favorite handheld. Search for book by author or title, then add it to your favorites list. Bonus: the software remembers where you last stopped reading. (Wait, didn’t Steve Jobs say that people don’t read anymore? Yikes, he needs to check out this nifty app.)

18 Carat Gold Diamond Encrusted iPhone

An Apple iPhone 3G made of 18 carat gold and encrusted with diamonds is laying claim to the title of the world's most expensive phone. It was coming wasn't it! Where there's gold, diamonds are sure to follow.


It's become a familiar pattern, as we saw most recently with an 18k gold Shuffle that was soon followed by a diamond encrusted version. So it was time to start an office pool after a 24k iPhone began making the rounds a few weeks ago.


In classically over-the-top fashion, the U.K. purveyor has adorned this limited edition with 420 diamonds totaling 5.65 carats set in 18k white or yellow gold, with a choice of white, black or pink sapphires. Decisions, decisions! With a price tag of $41,225 price, it laughs in the face of the credit crunch.

Designed by Austrian jeweller Peter Aloisson the customised iPhone is priced at £1.6 million. The handset is surrounded by a white gold line encrusted with a total of 138 brilliant cut diamonds of the best quality.

But the most prominent feature of the "Kings button" phone is its home button that features a rare 6.6 carat diamond.

13 iPhone Desktop Wallpapers

13 cool iPhone desktop wallpapers for your PC or Apple Mac.

iPhone Drink Coasters

Check out these cool drink coasters, based on those ubiquitous iPhone menu icons. Cool idea or what!

Created by the guys over at Brazil’s Meninos design, these icon coasters are a great gift for any iPhone addict. All your favorite applications are there, from Maps to Calculator, from iPod to Settings.


Each iPhone coaster measures 85mm square (about 3.34″) and is made from sturdy MDF plywood, then wrapped with a premium vinyl decal and durable varnish to protect the design. A thin rubber layer on the bottom keeps the coasters from slipping around.

Sets of 16 coasters retail for $60 USD over at the Meninos online shop. Unfortuantely, when I last looked they had sold out but hopefully they will get some more stock in for all us Apple iPhone geeks!