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Apple Developing Car Navigation System?

diehldun said:
It would be nice if Mercedes could have their entire COMAND system powered by Mac OS X, because their current system (at least in the S-Class) is still hard to use, even compared to iDrive and MMI.
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There is certainly nothing intuitive about it and worse, if you go to look up, say, California Pizza Kitchen, instead of showing the closest one, (Newport Beach) you are directed to Florida... what's with that?

Now, in this thread there has been much praise given to other automakers- Lexus was one- but the latest version of their system was hardly better and I much prefer the woman's voice in the MB. Moreover, my neighbour and I compared routes and the MB software more often found a better way.

If there is any truth to this, it might be that it is another way to get OSX in enterprise. GE uses Windows in its ultrasound machines and you have to live with all the dopiness that brings, especially since they remain at least a generation behind. I have so often wished it were OSX powering the machines. Just organizing and finding images is a nightmare. But it is typical of engineers out there who think NOTHING about the user experience. This software comes out of Switzerland-- you can see the issue.
 
apple's branching off into other markets too fast...

watched the 1997 keynote the other night "stick to what we're best at" seemed to be the main message, now look whats happening...
 
Wingsy said:
Forget about driving in Washington DC. That city confuses the hell out of her everywhere you go.
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DC will do this to any Nav system out there :D

However if anyone can improve upon this, it's Apple and 2009 is about the time for me to get a new Benz anyway.

So I would love the idea of Apple to build the whole computer part of Mercedes .
My two favorite companies.
 
If this is really true, then I'm a bit concerned.
Apple is probably spreading out too thin.
The lack of hardware and software released this year shows.
Leopard fell a lot shorter than what it was hyped up to be.
 
This makes sense in terms of what Apple could offer, imagine using Google maps for navigation, Itunes for music, and then being able to use DVd player, ITuesn and more to play video on the back seat LCDs in say an S class.

My only problem with this is that why would Apple go with MB when they already have contracts with firms like VW and BMW for Ipod integration (I do not believe they have the same with MB) it just seems like they would work with one of those companies again.
 
P-Worm said:
edit: On second thought. All of those GPS navigation devices have the ugliest and hardest to use GUIs imaginable. I guess that's what Apple could bring.
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Apparently you've never used a Garmin Streetpilot of Nüvi. So easy my mother figured it out and was a pro after one trip out. I'm really not sure how Apple would improve on it really but who knows. I do agree that all the other brands suck though.

hdasmith said:
I'm calling BS. I've a Garmin Nüvi 300 and it's great. Touch screen everywhere (fewer hard buttons than the iPhone). To navigate a map, I simply press on it and move my finger around. How's Apple going to improve on that? IF they were to bring in GPS, I would expect it to be in a future iPhone, but doubt Apple are really interested in the market.
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I think the thing to remember here is that intergrated car systems are aweful to use. Apple could definitely improve on those. The best I've seen is the Cadillac STS system. It could look better but it's simple to use. Now that the iPhone will be out soon it definitely makes sense that Apple could be thinking of getting into this arena.
 
Too much branching out can = decrease in quality over time

ortuno2k said:
If this is really true, then I'm a bit concerned.
Apple is probably spreading out too thin.
The lack of hardware and software released this year shows.
Leopard fell a lot shorter than what it was hyped up to be.
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I agree. Each year, Apple should focus first on its present computer and ipod hardware and software first, making sure its present customers receive the very best that's on the market. Apple already stated it did not have enough employees to focus properly this year on Leopard, thus the delay. And we have yet to see iLife and iWork, updated .mac, even more features added to iphone (like 3G, ichat?, 3rd party apps?, etc) this year. imacs are overdue for an update. Apple, if you have a surplus of employees ready to focus on car navigation systems, great - go for it with all of the innovation and creativity and excellence that we love! But please don't sacrifice the innovation and quality and timeliness of your current hardware and software in order to do it. :) Happy current customers => happy, growing, and successful future company :apple:
 
ClaZ said:
Tnx Raul !! :)

Very good Eyes !! It's a selfmade A6 '98 2.8, but with a lot of mod. Very lot...
And an iBook G4 1064 Mhz integrated with A/V system, 3 other PAL monitor at the VGA out of them, used as a extended desktop.

Here the link to the total work:
Experiment on a dead iBook G3 and G4 motherboard and all the peripheral that i have used..
http://www.macitynet.it/forum/showthread.php?t=30423

Here the integration on the car:
http://www.macitynet.it/forum/showthread.php?t=44944

I love this integration and if Apple make an "electronics for the car" like Audi MMI, all the other entertainement device are OUT !!

But i think this is only a dream..
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Oh man I wish I had that....

Well I also wish I could actually read the links you sent... But the pictures were fun...:eek:

How much did it cost? Do you run the radio through the Mac? or through the actual radio?


------

It make sense they are doing this (as everyone said) and it makes the most sense they are going with a Mercedes since that is what Mr. Jobs himself drives. If I owned a company and that was my vehicle of choice then I would be pushing for my vehicle of choice to get a Apple navigation.

Honestly I see the iPhone docking into a Mercedes and then the screen being transfered onto the mercedes screen.
 
This is brilliant. MS got hooked up with Ford, so Apple goes with MB.

After a few months of being identified with that prestigious brand, Apple works with other companies. People will order these Apple systems as premium extra-cost options like they do now with JBL, Bose, Harman Kardon, etc. sound systems.

Apple is not going to make GPS devices, stereos or any heating and cooling systems. They will just make an interface that is easy and safe for people to use. No hardware, really just an OS.

This is a big deal.
 
Maybe this would be a piece of software I could put on say an iPhone or labtop, but then I guess that kinda scewes up the GPS part don't it?
 
seems like a good idea, BUT...

While this seems like a good idea, it's been almost 10 months since Apple has pushed out a new iMac or mini. Come on Apple, let's see some new hardware!
 
i'm thinking of upgrading my wrangler unlimited '05 to the new 4 door does anyone know how the MYGIG GPS system works in there, compared to other systems on the market
 
voncheech said:
why would apple port safari to the pc, when there is no money involved..?
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This may have been said already as I have not read the entire thread, but Apple DOES MAKE MONEY on Safari. Every time someone types into the search bar in the top right, Google gives money to Apple. You can only imagine that the millions of dollars Apple was getting will increase now by 3,4,10, etc. Brilliant first step on Apple's part to make the iPhone SDK a profit center...lol.
 
apple's design is much needed in the prius' computer interface.

photo_3.jpg

kills me

4zokncw.jpg

but yeah, they'd be cute together. even more so than the ipod & bug.
 
P-Worm said:
I can't really think of what Apple would bring to this market. Sure, you could make the thing more iPod like, but would that really matter?

P-Worm

edit: On second thought. All of those GPS navigation devices have the ugliest and hardest to use GUIs imaginable. I guess that's what Apple could bring.
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I was just thinking that as I read your post. But you answered your own question.

I find current nav systems to be pretty fugly. You think with all the computing power at our disposal someone could create something far more useful an innovative. I think Apple could bring a lot to this space. Video, iTunes with Coverflow, navigation, iPhone syncing and hands off, ect. Too bad it so far off.
 
the gps market will be really hard to break into for good reliability. garmin, *cough* magellan and tomtom have got the market covered for good chips and units.

as for a all in car pc. strip the mac mini case drop in a c2d and put it under the passenger set add a couple of usb port in the car and headphone jacks in the car and your set.

mercedes would be a good partner. it re-emphizes that apple is a serious purchase and is a investment that will last a while.

not sure where apple was going with appletv and mac mini both great and needed products.
 
Kazr said:
I think there are plenty of things for Apple to do in their core business areas without branching into yet another sector.
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well, the iPod's a core business, and apple's been extending the brand by having it adopted into more and more new cars. if a new iPod includes GPS, then it's logical car markers would adopt that function of the product as well. Isn't it a simple and logical step forward?
 
Schtumple said:
watched the 1997 keynote the other night "stick to what we're best at" seemed to be the main message, now look whats happening...
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That was 10 years ago, people change, companies change, goals change.
If Apple had continued to do what "they knew best" they'd be gone, the iPod saved their behind, and they are taking a risk again with the iPhone.

I would think that this particular item seems misinformed. I would think they might push an iPhone interface now, much like they did with the iPods recently.

Either way this shouldn't have been moved up from page two this morning.
 
Schtumple said:
apple's branching off into other markets too fast...

watched the 1997 keynote the other night "stick to what we're best at" seemed to be the main message, now look whats happening...
Click to expand...

This is exactly why you aren't running a multi-billion dollar company. Markets change, and if you, as a company, aren't able to forsee the future and change your company accordingly, you're dead in the water.

Thinking that Apple should have the same goals they held 10 years ago... please.
 
I think that if apple did enter this market, it would be more of an in-car computer type of thing- with gps built in...

also, why would you rate this a negative?

:apple:
 
I don't see Apple losing any money in doing a deal like this with a brand like MB, but God forbid the next keynote an S Class rolls onto the stage and we spend 50 minutes watching Jobs play with an interface that many of us cannot afford!


Yet as many have said it seems that Apple may be spreading itself too thin and relying on our love for the company to keep us happy with products like the iMac which really need an upgrade.
 
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