The FCC have documents that show that TomTom chose a SiRF StarIII GPS chipset (GSG3f/LPx) from CSR to power the TomTom iPhone Cradle. CSR is also the provider of the Bluetooth chipset powering the hands free call capability of the iPhone holder and the GPS patch antenna inside the cradle is provided from Taiwanese manufacturer INPAQ.
It’s strange why TomTom would choose a SiRF III GPS Chipset when SiRF now have SiRF Star IV chips out. I could understand why the GPS cradle would be so expensive if it had a SiRF Star IV chip in it, but for a SiRF Star III chip that’s been out for a couple of years, it begs the question why is the cradle so expensive when it doesn’t include the app?
If you take a look at twitter there seems to be a lot of what were somewhat loyal TomTom customers ranting about the price and now either canceling their orders, or deciding not to pre-order now that TomTom have confirmed the high £99.95 price tag does not include the app.
Also check out Closer look at the TomTom iPhone Cradle – questions answered
Apple Tax
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By: DrDark on September 27, 2009
at 9:27 pm
Now I, too, don’t understand why TomTom bears the price tag but not the latest SiRF Star IV chip is not in it. I did express my views on this too on twitter. It won’t be long, i’m sure TomTom will hear the rants and come up with another upgrade.
By: TomTom GPS Prices on October 9, 2009
at 4:50 am