TomTom rolls out iPhone GPS service

IQ Routes uses collected data from other TomTom devices

TomTom has released its first navigation tool for the iPhone. The €69.99 (£60) application will allow iPhone owners to use the handset as a GPS navigation tool for driving and route-planning directions.

Apple already sports GPS hardware in the iPhone, and users can obtain mapping and driving directions from the built-in Google Maps feature on the handset. But TomTom is hoping to appeal to users looking for a more advanced and accurate navigation system.

TomTom said that the application will use its IQ Routes navigation tool which calculates routes and arrival times based on collected data from other TomTom devices, rather than estimates based on distance.

"With TomTom for iPhone, millions of iPhone users can now benefit from the same easy-to-use and intuitive interface, turn-by-turn spoken navigation and unique routing technology that our 30 million portable navigation device users rely on every day," said TomTom managing director Corinne Vigreux.

"As the world's leading provider of navigation solutions and digital maps, TomTom is the most natural fit for an advanced navigation application on the iPhone."