TomTom car kit for iPhone

TomTom has introduced a car kit for the iPhone. Compatible with the iPhone 3G and 3GS (running OS 3.0 or later), it features a secure mount to dock the iPhone to the desired position on the car windshield or dashboard.

An adjustable mount securely rotates iPhone to either portrait or landscape mode for optimal positioning and widescreen route display. Voice instructions are provided through the built-in speaker and the integrated microphone and speaker also allow hands-free calling while driving.

TomTom claims that the built-in GPS receiver reduces the chance of signal drop out in areas where GPS reception is limited like cities with tall buildings or forested areas. Additional features include an iPhone charging facility and a facility to play music via the audio output (providing your car stereo has an audio input of course).

T-Mobile & Orange to sell the iPhone 3G

iphone3G.jpg

What T-Mobile dismissed yesterday as “merely speculation” looks set to come true from September with both them and Orange to start selling the iPhone 3G on their networks.

O2 is said to be fuming at the loss of their exclusivity, on even the older Apple handset, and is concerned that their prices will be undercut. What a terrible shame.

Apple has been able to secure cheaper component parts for the phones, cutting the cost of manufacture, and there seems little reason to believe that this won’t be passed on to Orange and T-Mobile customers looking to get in on the touchscreen action.

Of course, you can already unlock an iPhone and put it on any network you like but the move will doubtless see floods of customers take up the deal at a more affordable price.

(via Mobile)

RUMOUR: T-Mobile UK to sell iPhone 3G

t-mobile-iphone.jpg

Could it be true? Do we want it to be true? Is T-Mobile really in negotiations with Apple to break O2’s exclusivity on the Jesus Phone? In truth, I don’t know, but a report on the Register says that’s what’s agoin’ on.

Now, bear in mind that this would only be a deal to stock the iPhone 3G and not the 3GS which only arrived a few weeks back. That’s still staying with O2 only but I have heard some time ago that the deal between them and Apple is to run out in the next couple of years; 2011, I believe it was.

The story goes that T-Mobile is keen to climb the UK mobile provider ranks from its current fourth spot and prove to the Deutsche Telekom bosses that it’s worth keeping. Stocking the iPhone would certainly be an interesting way of doing that, providing that the UK market isn’t already saturated with them. The deal would be attractive to Apple who currently rely on network subsidies to keep the cost of the iPhone as low as possible.

Naturally, all parties have refused to comment on the matter apart from T-Mobile who called the report “merely speculation”. It may well be but I thought you’d better hear it just in case there’s a kernel of truth within. Wouldn’t want to surprise you all with an announcement like that out of the blue.

So, let’s say it does happen. Good thing? Would you go for a 3G over a 3GS? Would it make any difference if it was the same price as on O2? And do you think it could spark a mini price war if not?

(via Brand Republic)