Don't say it makes zero sense for Apple to do anything like that. Because I remember when I called Apple once to ask them when is Apple going to make a Phone, I was told that we are a computer company and we are not in to phone business. So after there, apple comes out with the iPhone. So I know if Steve had a chance to make a car it would have been wonderful.
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Apple Board Member Mickey Drexler on Steve Jobs' iCar Dreams, Apple's Living Room Push
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I just want a car with an iPad in it instead of that overpriced, outdated navigation/jukebox system they put in.
Regular car companies like Honda, Toyota, Ford, GM, etc should buy car technology from Apple. Not for actual mechanics, just as a navigator, jukebox, phone, etc and some apps that do neat things like keep statistics of your driving.
Regular car companies like Honda, Toyota, Ford, GM, etc should buy car technology from Apple. Not for actual mechanics, just as a navigator, jukebox, phone, etc and some apps that do neat things like keep statistics of your driving.
Design wise, I wonder what a car designed by Steve Jobs would look like.
Would it be a midsize 4 door hatchback like a Prius? Or would it be a 2 door hardtop convertible like the Mercedes he drove? Would he have gone for the swooped hood-into-A-pillar look, or been more for the defined hood/windshield look like a Corvette or something?
All things we'll never really know. While everyone's busy getting it on about how the car would be electric or have a stereo that can read your mind, I'd just wonder how it'd look like.
I suppose we'll never know.
Would it be a midsize 4 door hatchback like a Prius? Or would it be a 2 door hardtop convertible like the Mercedes he drove? Would he have gone for the swooped hood-into-A-pillar look, or been more for the defined hood/windshield look like a Corvette or something?
All things we'll never really know. While everyone's busy getting it on about how the car would be electric or have a stereo that can read your mind, I'd just wonder how it'd look like.
I suppose we'll never know.
Does anybody else see XXX Showgirls at the bottom of this page?
I recommend AdBlock. Your Google Ad results are a bit embarrassing
Well Google is trying all kind of various industries:
Google's Revolutionary Self-Driving Car:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404199,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03079TX1K0000585
I believe there's lot of things/problems in the planning and actual construction of a car where Steve's vision could be helpful... aesthetics is not one of them.
I can think of 10 cars since the eighties that had great aesthetics in probably 30 seconds (maybe not Japanese but still...cars), and I'm not really into cars, on the contrary.
Google "car on a stick" "Ross Lovegrove", I personally hate the aesthetics (and I believe that's always a very personal choice/taste anyway), but see the TED Talk if you want to understand some of the things that are absolutely wrong with car's planning and fabrication today, and most of them have been wrong since they where invented anyway.
EDIT: If anyone's interested in Lovegrove's TED Talk , the car related bit starts at about 13min.
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I found this rant to perfectly summarize everything I've been thinking regarding this subject. The iCar could have been great, and it could have been yet another revolution. We know nothing about it because it was only ever a twinkle in Steve's eye. Who's rightful to criticize something that we know absolutely nothing about - furthermore, something that never existed?
"The man wasn't finished" sums up exactly what I feel about his loss. I feel sad that he's gone. I feel an emptiness in my generation's leaders. I feel that there's a void that I will never see refilled in my lifetime. Most of all, I feel an angry bitterness that he was stolen or taken way before his time, and it could have been prevented just like the rare and treatable form of cancer he had.
Then things went wrong and he was lost. In the worst way - unexpectedly and early. Now, who knows what the world will miss out on if he had stayed with us. Maybe he had another 10, 20, 30 or more years left in him to create, innovate, and revolutionize. Maybe he was near retirement. Again, who knows, but how much does all the speculation really matter in the face of death?
About the only thing that makes me happy when we discuss Steve around these forums is the "Oh, wow" quote that came out regarding his final moments. I'm comforted in the fact that he saw or felt something beautiful and wondrous as he departed. In the face of being reminded that he'll never design his iCar, he'll never sail on his dream yacht, he won't be able to enjoy his vegetable garden, and he won't be able to live out retirement with his wife, that one quote makes me happy. At least he went peacefully.
Now that I've gotten that out, I want to retouch on the topic at hand. I can't stand the critiques about what could have been, but really wasn't. There's no need to viciously debate anymore. Discuss, certainly, but debate heatedly? No. Something seems much more fragile when you're talking about the work of someone that isn't around to defend it. I don't mean to be a stick in the mud, but I'm not up to defend the critics anymore.
I'm glad users like the one above can do it for me, but the world has become way too mean. It's about time we stop and appreciate what we have, and not dwell on and gripe about the flaws in what could have been. I'm sorry to sound like an old buddy-duddy, but for some reason, this got to me today. I feel better that I've said what I said. Now, please return to your regularly scheduled programming.
swingerofbirch
macrumors 68040
Steve Jobs favorite car was from a manufacturer that has the second worse reliability in the industry (Mercedes); although, he likely never ran into those issues as he replaced his ever 6 months. It's possible you could infer from what he liked what type of car he might design, not that he would design an unreliable car on purpose, but perhaps he might have found a way to get consumers to upgrade cars more often (as they do iPhones).
When the J Crew guy says car design is a tragedy in the US, is he saying that US manufacturers' cars are less fashionable than other ones, or that they are designed poorly in terms of the actual function of the cars? I would agree that some makes like Mercedes make nice looking cars, but I wouldn't buy one over a Ford, for example (but I wouldn't buy a Ford over a Toyota).
When the J Crew guy says car design is a tragedy in the US, is he saying that US manufacturers' cars are less fashionable than other ones, or that they are designed poorly in terms of the actual function of the cars? I would agree that some makes like Mercedes make nice looking cars, but I wouldn't buy one over a Ford, for example (but I wouldn't buy a Ford over a Toyota).
What?
He never even got to finish the Apple "Bicycle" mentioned in his biography
All kidding aside, I'm sure he wouldn't have actually designed a car, rather a deal with an already established automobile manufacturer like Mercedes-Benz.
He never even got to finish the Apple "Bicycle" mentioned in his biography
All kidding aside, I'm sure he wouldn't have actually designed a car, rather a deal with an already established automobile manufacturer like Mercedes-Benz.
BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Lexus, Acura already make iCars
the 7 series, A7, S class, LS, and ZDX, respectively
The telematics systems of most vehicles do leave much to be desired, but if Apple wanted to enter into the development arena to compete with the likes of Microsoft, QNX, and others, I'm certain they'd find willing partners. In other words, put up or shut up.
And as Tesla has discovered, the auto business is far more challenging than the Silly-con Valley types have expected. They get full props for trying, and actually going beyond merely installing electric drivetrains into rolling chassis to fully manufacturing a car, but they didn't get there without people who actually had experience in the industry. Making real life durable goods is not the same as making computers or software. Crashes in cars have real life and death implications, not just lost data, and companies can't hide behind EULAs for defects in their products.
As for Drexler, after running the Gap into the ground, I'm not sure people in his own industry would take much heed of what he has to say.
And as Tesla has discovered, the auto business is far more challenging than the Silly-con Valley types have expected. They get full props for trying, and actually going beyond merely installing electric drivetrains into rolling chassis to fully manufacturing a car, but they didn't get there without people who actually had experience in the industry. Making real life durable goods is not the same as making computers or software. Crashes in cars have real life and death implications, not just lost data, and companies can't hide behind EULAs for defects in their products.
As for Drexler, after running the Gap into the ground, I'm not sure people in his own industry would take much heed of what he has to say.
That's an easy one to answer. It would run on iFuel. Available only from Apple, it would be a nice addition to Apples revenue stream. They'd ship it all over the nation & install a special pump in all Chevron & Shell stations. Proprietary iFuel, what a concept.
As far as revolutionizing the auto industry, that would be Apples first massive failure since they revived the company. Despite the complaints about the current dealer sales practices and all, that's not about to change for quite some time. Just wait & see.
First we have the iPhone, which now has people with their heads down 80% of the day, just staring at the screen, myself included. It's something most of us can't live without. Same with our cars, and if Apple created a car, we would all be locked in our vehicles forever, with our iPhones looking down, while the car drives itself. Then, as we're looking at our iPhone, we can check Google maps to see where you are instead of looking out the window.
In retrospect, our world is becoming very much robotic like the famous Apple 1984 commercial. We are herds that move to the instrument of technology now. A new iPhone? Gather around the stores, and wait for hours and hours. It's quite interesting really, can't say sad, but who knows how deep the rabbit whole gets. I guess we will find out eventually.
And by the way, the iCar comes in 3 different flavors, and a battery that lasts for 10 hour per charge. This magical car is also super light weight, only using the latest in carbon fiber technology. And just like every Apple device, it comes with Apple stickers. If someone steals your iCar, login to iCloud and use Find my iCar.
In retrospect, our world is becoming very much robotic like the famous Apple 1984 commercial. We are herds that move to the instrument of technology now. A new iPhone? Gather around the stores, and wait for hours and hours. It's quite interesting really, can't say sad, but who knows how deep the rabbit whole gets. I guess we will find out eventually.
And by the way, the iCar comes in 3 different flavors, and a battery that lasts for 10 hour per charge. This magical car is also super light weight, only using the latest in carbon fiber technology. And just like every Apple device, it comes with Apple stickers. If someone steals your iCar, login to iCloud and use Find my iCar.
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Had to create account as no one seems to have suggested the most obvious link up of Steve and Gordon Murray. Murray is trying to get someone to use his new manufacturing process called iStream to create a new innovative city car. For more information on iStream and Gordon Murray's plans head over to http://www.gordonmurraydesign.com/
Not sure what fuel an iCar would use.
The Chevvy Volt/Vauxhall Ampera is probably the best alternative fuel option for right now - I don't do more than 40 miles most days but with the petrol generator it takes away range anxiety.
All-electric would be cool, but not quite ready for mainstream yet.
Still, the main problem with electric/hybrid cars is that they are basically little more than converted petrol designs - far too heavy, far too old-skool.
I'd hope an iCar would throw everything out and utterly re-think personal transportation.
The Chevvy Volt/Vauxhall Ampera is probably the best alternative fuel option for right now - I don't do more than 40 miles most days but with the petrol generator it takes away range anxiety.
All-electric would be cool, but not quite ready for mainstream yet.
Still, the main problem with electric/hybrid cars is that they are basically little more than converted petrol designs - far too heavy, far too old-skool.
I'd hope an iCar would throw everything out and utterly re-think personal transportation.