The GPS manufacturers assume the same liability risks that everyone is saying Apple wants to avoid here, and which - I expect - could be deflected with some disclaimers in a software license agreement with end users.

I expect that it's a case of Apple wanting this market to themselves. But either way, I think it's a shame.

What's the liability for allowing 3rd party real-time navigation software? Someone is going to get lost when they receive a phone call in the middle of their trip? I would understand the limitations for emergency services, but real-time route guidance is not a legal liability for a phone manufacturer. Look at how many competing phones have real-time GPS navigation software for them, without any problems whatsoever. This seems strictly anticompetitive just from the breadth of this restriction.

If it is in fact boilerplate, and a legal disclaimer to absolve Apple of liability, it won't work. It is one thing to tell developers what they cannot develop; if they go ahead and develop it, it may still end up being Apple's responsibility for selling this app through the AppStore. After all, only Apple-approved apps will be available on the iPhone. A real-time GPS navigation is not something that could slide under the radar and into the store.

It's probably there to give Apple a little more time to finish their own application.

If this is true and not just legal boilerplate to protect Apple from any liability then I fully expect TT and other will file legal actions, and very likely win, for unfair business practices.

The old OS, system 6 through 9 also included use ristrictions of the Macintosh, example mission critial use like Air Traffic Control. This is just another example of protecting itself.

What's the liability? You must not live in America. Want a scenario?

I'm suing you Apple because I relied on your GPS to get me to a critical job interview and it didn't work properly costing me a 6 figure job.

Or how about:

I didn't get to my wedding on time because of your GPS iPhone and my fiance left me. I'm suing.

It's sad, but this is the kind of c**p that goes on in America now.

This has got to be disclaimer protection on Apple's part. Any serious attempt by Apple to stop 3rd party GPS navigation apps with the intention of keeping it to themselves, would find Apple on the wrong side of European Competition Law. As the EU have demonstrated with Microsoft, they will not take that sort of thing lying down. Such a move would also not be in the best interest of consumers, who are best served by choice.

If Apple or even Google intend to develop a dedicated iPhone mapping App that doesn't require a 3G or Wifi signal, then they should succeed because they are better at it than the competition, and for no other reason. Anyhow, this is all just speculation right now.

Athens, I'm pretty sure OS X has that same language in it as well.

Apple cannot and will not guarantee the accuracy of the GPS for life or death situations... Don't think it will be a problem for Tom Tom...

Doesn't that look a lot like the Google Maps API disclaimer?

Every time you turn on the Tom Tom and every time you give it a place to go to, it gives a warning that you have to attest to. Must say that I have never read it, but I sure do attest to it every time.

If you are a manufacturer, you have to say things like that.

cellphone manufacturer to have these restrictions. It's OK to allow these types of applications on a WinMo or Symbian based cellphone? MS doesn't worry about being liable for any type of lawsuit? Only Apple is the bad guy.

It does look like mostly boilerplate, but as another person pointed out, if Apple then allows a developer to distribute such an application on the App Store, that would pretty much negate this dislaimer.

But now look at this in light of the recent patent application recently uncovered (about two weeks ago?) where Apple applied for a patent for pretty much every obvious application that someone might write for the iPhone. With that, it's starting to look more and more like a play right out of MS's playbook.

Here's a URL to one article talking about Apple all-encompassing patent:

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/06/02/allencompassingiphonepatentfilinghintsatgpsvideo_chat.html

This language is in the DEVELOPER software because Apple doesn't want to be held liable for errors in TomTom's (or Garmin', etc.) maps or directions. What if you're rushing to a hospital and the map tells you it's on 4000 S Main St. instead of 4000 N. Main St.?

Any GPS software provider will have to meet Apple's approval (which opens the door to Apple being held liable anyway), but that software provider will take liability for errors.

Apple has this language to prevent Joe Schmoe developer from putting an app on his website and not selling through the AppStore. Because you know people will find a way to get apps on the iPhone and get around the AppStore. This way Apple can say that they violated the developer agreement and thus Apple isn't liable.

Hypercard had a warning against use in control systems for nuclear power plants from what I remember and the original IBM PC had a a warning to the effect that it may or may not be a computer and if it turned out not to be you couldn't sue.

If Apple attempts to lock out competitors in the navigation market to anyone other than themselves they will find out quickly how fast the E.U. will take action against them for uncompetitive behavior

It sounds to me like Google is going to upgrade Maps to include GPS input and Apple's protecting Google's place.

I do not think it is matter of liability. I think the map suppliers Navteq and Tele Atlas who do not want their data to be used on the iPhone without their permission. Navteq (=Nokia) and Tele Atlas (=TomTom) are direct competitors since the recent market consolidation.

In general, mapping companies charge a higher price for navigation, than for routing and mapping.

I do not think it is matter of liability. I think the map suppliers Navteq and Tele Atlas who do not want their data to be used on the iPhone without their permission. Navteq (=Nokia) and Tele Atlas (=TomTom) are direct competitors since the recent market consolidation.

In general, mapping companies charge a higher price for navigation, than for routing and mapping.