The race for the first turn-by-turn navigation iPhone app to take advantage of iOS 4’s multi-tasking ability to run apps in the background has been won by TomTom, whose version 1.4 app is now available for download in the App Store.
TomTom beat out Navigon – which also announced support but is as of yet not available for download – Google Maps and all other comers. The app runs on the iPhone 3GS, 3rd Gen iPod Touches (though who would use it for this purpose is unclear) and of course the iPhone 4.
The TomTom app lets you continue to hear the audio turn-by-turn directions while using other apps, which should be expected, but is nice to confirm that iOS 4 has that capability.
As we said yesterday, free Google Maps navigation right now is a strong reason to like Android (no news yet on when it will come to the iPhone, but it is coming) but if you’re willing to spend $49.99 for the TomTom app (or already have) you can have turn-by-turn running now in the background with your iPhone 3GS (or tomorrow/Thursday for the iPhone 4).
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