Apple cutting rivals out of iPhone navigation?
updated 09:55 am EDT, Wed June 11, 2008
iPhone SDK & GPS nav.
Apple may be attempting to block competition when it comes to GPS navigation on the iPhone, developers have observed. In the most recent version of the iPhone SDK, Section 3.3.7 of the license agreement tells users that "applications may not be designed or marketed for real time route guidance; automatic or autonomous control of vehicles, aircraft, or other mechanical devices; dispatch or fleet management; or emergency or life-saving purposes."
The language effectively bans much of the third-party software that might exploit the iPhone 3G's new GPS module, which could in theory be used to provide in-car or on-foot guidance beyond the static options present in Google Maps. The rules may prove especially frustrating for nav-unit maker TomTom, which yesterday told Reuters that it has already developed navigation software for the iPhone and plans to sell it commercially.
It is speculated that Apple may have the intention of developing its own real-time navigation software, but it has not announced any such plans to date.









bah
06/11, 10:02am reply
"real time route guidance; automatic or autonomous control of vehicles, aircraft, or other mechanical devices; dispatch or fleet management; or emergency or life-saving purposes"
No thats not locking out companies thats called protecting Apples butt from lawsuits. If the Program or iPhone failed in any one of those situations, that could leed to a nasty lawsuit.
Athens
Addicted to MacNN
Joined: Jan 2003
Athens,
06/11, 10:18am reply
Exactly what I was thinking.
Horsepoo!!!
Banned
Joined: Jun 2003
yep....
06/11, 10:20am reply
...sounds to me more like the usual legal language to make sure the company is absolved of any liability...
"applications may not be designed or marketed for real time route guidance; automatic or autonomous control of vehicles, aircraft, or other mechanical devices; dispatch or fleet management; or emergency or life-saving purposes."
ZinkDifferent
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2005
so does this mean?
06/11, 10:34am reply
that Apple will reject any company's product from their "cattle-shoot" distribution system if they add in the ability to do any of those things?
UberFu
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Joined: Oct 2002
.
06/11, 10:34am reply
I'm waiting/hoping for some good geocaching software.
ebeyer
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2004
.
06/11, 10:34am reply
I'm waiting/hoping for some good geocaching software.
ebeyer
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2004
Huh?
06/11, 10:39am reply
WTF is a "cattle-shoot" distribution system?
I agree with the above posters - this sounds more like something that came down from the legal department than locking competition out. I can't really envision a situation where real-time navigation is so strategically important to Apple that they would lock everyone else out. What it may mean, however, is that the GPS unit in the iPhone either sucks or is not ready for prime time.
dogzilla
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 1999
Bad Mix
06/11, 10:46am reply
Lawyers and Media.... not a good combination for the truth.
Deal
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2001
Don't care who does it...
06/11, 10:43am reply
But someone better have Navigation software on the iPhone. I'd leave it up to Tom Tom. Hopefully this IS just boilerplate.
Roehlstation
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Apple liability?
06/11, 10:45am reply
It sees more like a liability issue with the software manufacturer, although I suppose Apple could get dragged into it... but it also seems like shutting off a reliable revenue stream.
A few days ago we were reading that the dedicated GPS manufacturers were scared to death of a GPS-enabled iPhone... so there's a real opportunity here. 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.
eggman
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2002