A simple app transforms your iPhone into a fully functional navigation system. But how good does it work? That's what we tested for you.

Before summarizing our experience with TomTom for iPhone we would like to thank TomTom International BV as well as Hill & Knowlton International Belgium for having given us a free test version of this application. We are also waiting anxiously for the TomTom car kit which we hope to test very soon.

The following applications work on iPhone 3G and 3GS.

It is maybe important to let you know that we are already users of TomTom navigation systems since a couple of years. We first used a version of TomTom for HP iPaq before buying a TomTom Go about 3 years ago.

To at last be able to simply use one single device to handle everything (telephone, agenda, navigation system etc) is a real advantage.

Concerning the app on the AppStore, here is what is available in Europe:

The residents of the Benelux countries have the choice between 2 versions, TomTom Benelux for 69,99€ and TomTom Western Europe for 99,99€. Admittedly, there is a difference of 30€ between the 2 versions, but when you check the list of countries included in the TomTom Western Europe version, you will quickly understand that it's worth getting the more complete version.

The price of the TomTom application is less expensive than a classical TomTom Go solution, even if the difference in price is not as huge as we would have expected. Let's not forget that Apple cashes in on 30% of the total price of the application, which forces sellers to «mark-up» a bit their apps.

So, what's the difference between a stand-alone TomTom device and the TomTom for iPhone?

They both have common points like the speaker, the GPS chip, the touch screen etc. But when we have a closer look, the iPhone is a lot nicer to use. The screen has more brilliance, the tactile functions are more precise and the graphical accelerations are a lot more fluid.

Only disadvantage: the iPhone's battery life suffers more than the stand-alone TomTom Go. The car kit, which is being launched soon, includes a charger so you can charge your iPhone at the same time as you use it. The GPS chip is a little less strong because it is surrounded by a number of component. Nevertheless we must say that during our tests we didn't see any difference between the two devices, even so that the TomTom for iPhone recalculated the trip quicker than the TomTom Go.

In general, the maps, the interface and the functions are the same as with a classical TomTom, just presented in a slightly different and more user-friendly way.

Nothing revolutionary concerning the proposed functions. They are comparable to those of the classical TomTom devices. What kept back our attention were the points of interest (hotels, restaurants, railway stations, etc...) which are detailed and can be represented in form of a list. In less than 2 clicks you can find the closest restaurant and the precise distance to get there.

Another nice option is the fact that you can use your TomTom app on your iPhone as well in landscape as in portrait mode. Simply flip your iPhone to switch between both modes and your application will follow instantly.

No need to write long praises with lots of screenshots...the app is very complete and has all options you need to never get lost again. For those who were hesitating to get the iPhone version, we can reassure you that you won't miss any option compared to the classical TomTom Go and that you will even prefer the fluidity of the screen and enjoy the navigation through the menu thanks to a more sensitive screen on the iPhone.

Here a video showing the app and the soon to come TomTom car kit for iPhone:

If you wish to buy this application, find below the direct links to the different pages of the applications on the AppStore:

TomTom Western Europe (AppStore link)

TomTom Benelux (AppStore link)

TomTom Australia (AppStore link)

TomTom U.S. & Canada (AppStore link)

TomTom New-Zealand (AppStore link)