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TomTom on the iPhone May Not Be Completely Dead
Posted by Sean Fallon at 6:55 AM on June 14, 2008
In an interview with TomTom spokesperson Yann Lafargue, French site Mac Generation hit on a few interesting tidbits about 3rd party navigation software on the iPhone. During the interview, Lafargue confirmed that there was a version of TomTom software running on the iPhone but he does not know if they will ever actually ship the product. You would think that the major reason for not shipping would be the clause in the SDK agreement that states "applications may not be designed or marketed for real time route guidance," but Lafargue insisted that is not a problem.
He believes that Apple is only "trying to protect itself" (from litigation presumably) so the verbiage in the SDK would not be an obstacle. I'm no lawyer, but the clause in the SDK seems pretty air tight to me, so I would take what was said in this interview with a grain of salt. Still, you have to think that developing for the iPhone represents a golden opportunity—so if there is a way, I'm sure someone will find it. [Mac Generation - translated]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
F
Posted June 14, 2008 3:11 PM
The guy actually only says in the interview that he does not see the SDK EULA as an issue, just a way for Apple to protect their ass.
He says Tom Tom has passed testing on the phone and that the only obstacle to release is Apple as in:
- they could want to build they own GPS app and prevent Tom Tom from selling theirs with Apple's backing...
- they may have an agreement with someone else for a GPS application...
Obviously it works, the question for Tom Tom is to value the market if there is a preferred GPS app (how do you distribute, what's the potential market of people putting non app apps on the phone and how do you support the software/hardware combo if you're not tightly joined with Apple...
I can see it happening in Europe, but not really elsewhere...
alexpr
Posted 8:10 AM 14/6/08
I agree with max_k. I'm sure Tom Tom would get into some agreement with Apple just like Google has with them.
alexpr
greggantic
Posted 8:07 AM 14/6/08
apple might beworking on there own gps (igps,ifollow,idrive maby?)
greggantic
Groggy Banana
Posted 8:06 AM 14/6/08
@jpbraconi: Certainly not a gps app.
@bobdobbs' MBA misses LindsayJoy's MBP: hmm..
Groggy Banana
ballsly
Posted 7:59 AM 14/6/08
as gps was a bigger reason for me to wait for iphone 2.0 than 3g was.. i found apples SDK clause annoying. apple gives some glimmer of hope on its own page when it states "get directions to wherever from wherever. view turn-by-turn directions or watch your progress with live gps tracking" that at least shows software like tom tom will work- as in- it does have live gps-- anyway- if apple nixes a solid gps application- or did not add landscape maps ability.. im not buying it.
ballsly
Lupison
Posted 7:58 AM 14/6/08
looks like a piece of plastic covering ot me.
Lupison
jpbraconi
Posted 7:56 AM 14/6/08
[www.viddler.com]
check out on 6 sec, top left of the iPhone...... what does it look like for u guys??
jpbraconi
tenio
Posted 7:56 AM 14/6/08
why can't they just release an app and have a warning saying "not for real time use" even if using it for real time is possible
tenio
max_k
Posted 7:46 AM 14/6/08
Just because Apple is offering the SDK to the public at large under specific licensing terms does not mean that they are obligated to do so for everyone.
If Apple wanted to they could easily license the SDK to TomTom under different terms. They are the copyright holder for all the tools in the SDK, and can license the SDK to whomever they want, whenever they want, under whatever terms they want.
Now.. that's not to say that Apple might not want a good healthy fee for licensing this to TomTom, and that might explain TomTom's trying to play it cool here, and act like they're only moderately interested.
max_k
bobdobbs' MBA misses LindsayJoy's MBP
Posted 7:36 AM 14/6/08
@Groggy Banana: Don't blame the Giz.
bobdobbs' MBA misses LindsayJoy's MBP
Groggy Banana
Posted 7:32 AM 14/6/08
@Groggy Banana: [www.neomax.ro]
No love for images giz? Again?
Groggy Banana
Groggy Banana
Posted 7:30 AM 14/6/08
Asus' modified iGo interface [www.mobile-phones.ro]
is one of the best IMO, in terms of looks and ease of use. If take a look at their icons[www.neomax.ro] you can see that they know about the iphone.
In any case, Yahoo could be "other" major map app.
Groggy Banana
bobdobbs' MBA misses LindsayJoy's MBP
Posted 7:30 AM 14/6/08
This dope is about as believable as that Iranian I'm-a-Dinner-Jacket weasel.
bobdobbs' MBA misses LindsayJoy's MBP
putch
Posted 7:23 AM 14/6/08
yeah, it's probably just that any kind of turn by turn will have some kind airtight EULA that says if you drive off a cliff following those directions you're on your own.
i'm sure an agreement can be reached. although it will largely depend on a) how much money they can make and b) how well the damned thing works.
so, maybe.
putch
draiko
Posted 7:19 AM 14/6/08
Way to go, Apple... Just like last year when they put the world's best mobile browser on a Phone with the slowest mobile data connection... woo hoo.
draiko
DisposableInterloper
Posted 7:18 AM 14/6/08
Apple is undoubtedly trying to protect itself with that clause. I think I mentioned it before.
A user could download a bad GPS app in good faith, regardless of whether the developer was malicious or just incompetent, and use the thing with nasty consequences (like getting stuck in gang-infested territory on a trip for some pizza, or getting lost in the middle of nowhere precisely where traffic is scarce and signals are weak).
A developer could certainly speak directly to Apple and release an app with its explicit blessing. It's a matter of quality control at that point.
DisposableInterloper
hesse00
Posted 8:38 AM 14/6/08
tom tom please bust your ass to get it on there. ill even pay for it.
hesse00
CaptCaveman
Posted 8:34 AM 14/6/08
I was really looking forward to turn by turn GPS. I was also hoping for Text to Speech with whatever GPS software as well. Sorry, but I've been spoiled by my Garmin Nuvi. And having the GPS unit tell you to turn at "street name" vs "turn in 200 feet" keeps my eyes on the road.
I think it would be a mistake for Apple to not let someone release GPS software on the iPhone. I hope they are not doing it just because they want to preserve battery life. Because having the GPS on will should take out an iPhone battery in about and hour or two. But then again, that's what the cigarette lighters in the cars are for these days, to power our gadgets.
CaptCaveman
tucker
Posted 9:34 AM 14/6/08
@max_k: i agree 100%
anybody complaining about the lack of a feature before the damn phone is even out is just wasting their breath.
i have absolutely no doubt that apple will make a "turn-by-turn" deal with someone.
tucker
galbertsprint
Posted 9:15 AM 14/6/08
@max_k - agreed;
It is most likely not a liability issue since when you do use a GPS map device you agree to not hold the maker liable if the map is out-of-date (recently closed road and the like) or the directions are not exact (200ft/210ft).
I think it is most likely that since turn by turn directions and recalculating the map is the most expensive part of GPS software Tom Tom wanted some assurances that their intellectual property would not get undersold.
So if developer Joe creates a turn-by-turn GPS software and sells it on iTunes for $25 and Tom Tom is $100, all Tom Tom needs to do is complain to Apple and Apple can then go to Joe and say 'Hey buddy, the SDK agreement says, no turn-by-turn for you, we are pulling your software. Tom Tom is now happy again.
This also allows Apple to let developers make other GPS software that Tom Tom may not even be interested in like the 'Starbucks java run to the next Starbucks'.
After all who wants to be w/o their $8.50 double shot venti mocha cappa with extra foam?
galbertsprint
im.thatoneguy
Posted 10:04 AM 14/6/08
Couldn't someone just use Live.Local.com APIand make a really nifty Web 2.0 TomTom? No SDK necessary.
im.thatoneguy
jwardell
Posted 12:56 PM 14/6/08
I have $100 waiting for you, TomTom. Unless Dash beats your first.
jwardell
gwolf
Posted 3:56 PM 14/6/08
IF Tom Tom is smart they will make it for less than $50 and get better market penetration.
Is there a technical issue, limitation, with the IPhone 2.0 gps we don't know about yet?
gwolf
Faxmonkey
Posted 4:01 PM 14/6/08
I doubt that's going to be any problem for Tomtom. Just because its in the generic version of the agreement doesn't mean it's going to be in everyone's. I'm sure if TomTom asks Apple will simply give them a different, ammended agreement that applies only to them. One for "partner" developers and one for the public at large.
Faxmonkey
sisiay
Posted 5:27 PM 14/6/08
@greggantic: i think BMW has ruined the iDrive name for them already...maybe iNevergetlost?
sisiay
Karl Roos
Posted 5:59 PM 14/6/08
Just put it out for 200$ and then they get the same for just software as for the hardware and software.
Karl Roos
gadgetplay
Posted 12:48 AM 15/6/08
Apple probably has this in the works themselves for the next model and is in the middle of a bidding war for a partner even as we speak, assuming it's not already a done deal. Maybe iNuvi or iTom?
DisposableInterloper: "and use the thing with nasty consequences"
Like driving into a lake. "IT SAID TURN RIGHT!"
gadgetplay