Introduced earlier this month for the European market, TomTom announces today the U.S. availability of the TomTom car kit for iPhone which can be purchased either on the TomTom website or at the Apple online store. Just to recap the features, the TomTom car kit for iPhone comes with:

• Secure mount which docks the iPhone in the desired position on the car windshield or dashboard, using a twist-and-lock motion
• Adjustable mount securely rotates iPhone to either portrait or landscape mode
• Easily removed with one twist upon arrival at a destination
• Built-in GPS receiver reduces the chance of signal drop in areas where GPS reception is limited, such as cities with tall buildings or forested areas
• Significantly improved positioning accuracy in all areas
• Built-in speaker for clear voice instructions
• Integrated microphone and speaker allowing hands-free calling
• Charges iPhone while on the go, so it stays fully charged
• Plays your iPhone music through the AUX OUT port over your car stereo

The TomTom car kit for iPhone is available now for $119.95. Keep in mind you’ll still need to buy the TomTom application for the iPhone.

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Owners of the TomTom app for the iPhone will be interested to hear the company has announced a new car kit for the iPhone in Europe. The TomTom car kit for the iPhone is designed to provide a safer driving experience with the iPhone as well as increased GPS performance thanks to a built-in GPS receiver. The full feature list includes:

• Secure docking using the EasyPort mount
• Built-in GPS receiver enhances the GPS signal especially in areas where GPS reception is limited
• Built-in speaker and volume control
• Hands-free calling via built-in microphone
• Charges iPhone while driving
• Rotates for optimal viewing
• Line out port to connect to car audio system
• Compatible with iPhone 3G and 3GS

If you’re living in Europe, you can purchase the TomTom car kit for the iPhone at the TomTom website or at the Apple online store for $99,99 euro. The car kit will be available in the U.S. in the near future. Note – the car kit does NOT come with the TomTom app – you’ll still need to purchase the app for the iPhone.

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In an interesting change of heart that was no doubt spurred on by a recent FCC inquiry, AT&T announced today it has “taken the steps necessary so that Apple can enable VoIP applications on iPhone to run on AT&T’s 3G wireless network.” VoIP applications (such as Skype) were previously allowed to run only over a Wi-Fi network and not over AT&T’s 3G wireless network. With today’s announcement, VoIP applications can now run on both the Wi-Fi network as well as AT&T’s wireless data network.

According to Ralph de la Vega, President and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, “Today’s decision was made after evaluating our customers’ expectations and use of the device compared to dozens of others we offer.”

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Technorati Tags: AT&T Wireless, Apple iPhone, VoIP

Elgato EyeTV users will be happy to hear that the company has released an EyeTV app for the Apple iPhone/iPod touch allowing users to watch live TV or recorded TV directly on their devices as well as browse the detailed program guide. Other features include:

• The ability to connect to any Mac running the latest EyeTV version (3.2)
• Automatically finds Macs on a network via Bonjour
• Remote access Macs running EyeTV using a free locator utility called “My EyeTV” also being introduced as part of EyeTV 3.2
• Support for Apple’s new HTTP streaming technology introduced with iPhone OS 3.0. Relies on Apple’s specs for adaptive streaming using H.264 video and AAC audio codecs. Also uses iPhone’s hardware acceleration for playback
• Once connected to a Mac, plays live TV, change channels, watch EyeTV recordings, browse the Program Guide, and start/schedule recordings
• Requires Wi-Fi connection (sorry no 3G support here)

EyeTV is available for a price of $4.99 at the iTunes Store. EyeTV 3.2 is a free update for EyeTV 3 users. Now if someone would only release a Windows Media Center compatible app for the iPhone…

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Technorati Tags: Elgato EyeTV, iPhone Application

If you’ve been longing for a physical keyboard on the iPhone, then you’re in luck. Toronto-based Mobile Mechatroncis has introduced the first attachable keyboard for the iPhone called the “iTwinge”.

Originally designed as a training device for the iPhone’s virtual keyboard, the iTwinge became so popular that no one wanted to go back to the virtual keyboard. Who can really blame them? There’s nothing like a physical tactile keyboard!

The iTwinge comes in a sleeve-like form factor which you slide onto the bottom of the iPhone, turn-on, and then start typing.

The company is now accepting pre-orders on the website for $34.99 (which includes $5.00 dollars for shipping and handling so it’s really $29.99) with shipments expected to begin on November 19th.

[Check it out via NY Times]

Technorati Tags: iTwinge, iPhone keyboard, Mobile Mechatronics

Are you worried about the low levels of radiation being emitted by your iPhone’s antenna? If so, then you’ll want to check out Pong Research’s newest product, the Pong iPhone Case, which reduces the amount of radiation a user is exposed to.

According to Pong Research, the Pong iPhone Case is the first product proven by FCC-certified labs to reduce cell phone radiation. The case supposedly reduces the “specific absorption rate (SAR)” by 60% and reduces “intense hotspot cell phone radiation” by 85%.

How does the case work? Here’s what Pong had to say in their press release:

“The Pong case merges high science and breakthrough technology with contemporary industrial design. Its patented technology module employs principles of antenna theory and physics to channel the emitted radiation into a ‘chimney effect,’ pulling the radiation up and away from the phone. Full signal strength is maintained, so that the phone’s function and battery life are not compromised.”

The Pong iPhone Case is available now at www.pongresearch.com for a price of $59.95. A case for the BlackBerry will be available later this year.

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The new Bose SoundDock 10 digital music system is the latest iPod one-piece speaker system to come from Bose – joining the ranks of the SoundDock Series II and the SoundDock Portable system. Features of the SoundDock 10 include:

• Incorporates the latest version of Bose’s proprietary waveguide technology – developed specifically for the SoundDock 10
• New waveguide reduced from 75 inches to 52 inches without compromising audio performance
• Newly designed Bose woofer which delivers four times the efficiency of a conventional woofer
• Two proprietary Bose Twiddler transducers optimally positioned in front of the system to complete full range of music reproduction
• Proprietary digital signal processing algorithms improves sound reproduction
• Internal switching power supply eliminates the need for external transformer
• Proprietary vibration isolation structure used to maintain iPod and iPhone performance
• Made for iPod and Works with iPhone certified
• Compatible with any click-wheel iPod or iPod touch and iPhone 3GS, 3G and original iPhone
• Optional Bluetooth dock allows you to stream music wirelessly from a stereo Bluetooth music phone. New docks will be made available to support new devices over time
• Auxiliary input
• Video output
• Infrared remote control
• Measures 9 x 17 x 10 inches

The Bose SoundDock 10 is available from Bose for a suggested price of $599. The optional Bluetooth interchangeable dock is available for $149. Both products will be available starting on September 21st.

Technorati Tags: Bose SoundDock 10 Digital Music System

iPhone owners who are also fans of TomTom GPS navigation products will be thrilled to hear that the TomTom App for the iPhone is now available for purchase via the Apple App Store for $99.99 (though you might not be thrilled with the price point). The TomTom App for the iPhone provides the same easy to use, intuitive user interface found on today’s TomTom Personal GPS devices – except they’re now available on the iPhone instead.

The TomTom app is available for both the iPhone 3G and 3GS and includes a map of the US and Canada via Tele Atlas. Features of the app include:

• IQ Routes technology which bases route calculations on actual experiences of millions of TomTom drivers to calculate the fastest route
• Fast route planning and clear voice instructions
• Automatic re-routing if a turn is missed
• Route demo or map of route when trip planning
• Alternative route options if avoiding roadblocks, toll ways or looking for high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes along route
• 6 million POI
• Optimized for iPhone
• Multiple display options including portrait and landscape mode
• Night and day color mode
• Support for 18 languages
• 3D or 3D map display
• Support for multi-touch gestures
• Navigation to contacts in the address book
• POI search and call capabilities from iPhone

TomTom claims to expect compatibility with the iPod touch and other iPhone models (I assume the 1st gen iPhone??) to come soon.

Below is the WWDC presentation of the TomTom App

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Here’s an interesting tidbit courtesy of the folks at the Boy Genius Report. Apparently Rogers in Canada is in the process of shipping 8GB iPhone 3GS models to their stores. Although this has yet to be confirmed, it makes you wonder whether these 8GB units are meant to replace the older 8GB iPhone 3G units that went on sale when the 3GS was announced. Could these supposed 8GB iPhone 3GS units make their way to the U.S. market anytime soon? If so – would they be sold for $99 dollars also? Interesting thought eh?

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Speck expands their CandyShell iPhone 3G/3GS case lineup with the introduction of five new two-tone color combos. The new style (known as “Ombre”) is available in the following colors: BubbleMaker Pink, BatWing Black, AquaBerry Blue, WaxStick White, and JamJar Purple.

The CandyShell case was introduced earlier this year and offers a unique combination of hard shell protection and a soft interior.

The new CandyShell cases are available at either the Apple Store or at www.speckproducts.com for a price of $34.95.

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Technorati Tags: Speck, CandyShell case, iPhone 3G case, iPhone 3GS case