TomTom iPhone App – Is it worth $100?

Attention iPhone users. There's a new app out that promises to keep youfrom getting lost and will set you back a cool hundred bucks. OK, a hundredless one cent, but who's counting?

TomTom International, the company that specializes in getting drivers from point A to point B by a Global Positioning System with turn-by-turn instructions, makes it possible to transform your iPhone into a TomTom device. (http://iphone.tomtom.com/)

I haven't downloaded this app yet, and probably won't, based on a scan of the 150 or so reviews left by users. The current rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars, but the negative comments are scaring me off.

Commenters said the system seems lacking in its audio offerings and has an unfriendly interface with the iPhone’s contacts list. One user review said: “Needs text-to-speech to allow for announcing of street names. It only says ‘Bear right’ or ‘Turn right.’ How hard it is to say, 'Right on Second Street?’ ”

Another reviewer said: “Addresses in my address book on my iPhone do not work. A totally correct and legal address in New Jersey leads me to upstate New York somewhere. Very bad.”

Several reviewers said they prefer the Navigon iTunes App, which sells for $69.

“As a TomTom fan, I will wait for the next update and then write another review,” one person posted. “Till then, I will keep both Navigon and TomTom. As of now, Navigon gets 6 out of 10, where as TomTom gets only 4 out of 10. It is not worth $99. At $69, Navigon is better than TomTom.”

Some users, though, like the app.

One commentor said: "AWESOME!!!!!! Five stars, because I can't give it any more. This app is just what I've been waiting for. Downloaded it about an hour after it came out. I've tried going back and wrong turns never missed a turn and would recalculate immediately. Well worth the money. I was looking to purchase one of these GPS devices but with the app on the iPhone no need.”

Directional abilities aside, the app seems to be missing a certain apropos celebrity voice, several reviewers said.

“Is there any way the Homer Simpson voice can be downloaded or added to the voices?” one person posted.

D'oh! Think I'll wait until updates make this app worth the bucks.

Any more comments? Send ’em on.