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Apple Developing Car Navigation System?

Something else to consider...

Personally, I think Apple would do a great job with this, no doubt integrating a lot of functionality beyond just navigation.


And what would this device look like?

A compact form factor, high-res multi-touch screen, maybe 9 - 12 inches, running OS X.


It's the mythical Mac Tablet.
 
lou2000 said:
Ok, I can almost see the commercial.
So you're driving in san fracisco listening to Jimmy Buffett. Did someone say Cheeseburger. Stopping at a red light you punch in burgers. This one is closest. Give me directions. Call your buddy. Meet me at Popeyes?

No parking nearby. Park a few blocks away. Take the Apple nav system with you.

it still works as a navigator to get you there on foot. Out of the car its an iphone with GPS. Put it in its dock in the car, it charges and uses your cars speakers. some cars may have steering wheel controls for it.

hmm. are Head Up displays legal? the car should project the screen onto the windshield.

I hope to see this announced next January.

I really do see this as a evolutionary and obvious direction.

Phones got mp3 players. ipods got phones.
Car navigation systems got mp3 players. iphones got navigation systems.
Click to expand...

AFAIK Nav systems can't have directions put in them (legally) without the parking brake set. I think the portable units are the exception.
 
This gives new meaning to when Jobs said, "we are in your den., we are in your car..."

I can see this happening. It may just be iPhone integration or it could be a full out Apple infotainment system for cars. It seems that someone at Apple (Steve Jobs?) has realized that the embedded device market is now a huge potential win for Apple.

In the mid 90s, everyone thought MS was going to dominate embedded devices. We'd have Windows CE running on gas pumps, ATMs, microwave ovens, etc.

Apple is beginning to believe they they are the company to bring an elegant hardware and software solution--an integrated solution--to consumers. Just think of all the devices you interact with. From a simple digital music player to your TV, phone, car navigation system and computer. Apple wants to deliver them all.

What can Apple bring? Solid, well designed software, elegant user interface and human/computer interaction, and integration with other devices/services (download iTunes songs right to your car).

No matter what Steve said at the "D" conference, he still wants to "win". He's found a way to change the parameters of the game away from traditional computers (mac vs Windows) and into the whole world of computing devices that humans want/need.
 
Macrumors said:


German Magazine Focus is reporting (Google translation) that Apple is working on car navigation and sound systems. Apple is said to be working for an introduction in 2009, working with Mercedes exclusively for 6 months.

The system is reported to include "maintenance, communication, and navigation," similar to devices already on the market.

Focus is a popular German magazine, though its track record in Apple rumors remains unproven.
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Like I said in my other post - Apple's getting snobbish...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/311454/
 
Intel's using WiMax for car media centers....

T'hain Esh Kelch said:
But I see this as a car-mediacenter, instead of a GPS-thingy. Transfer music to your car, like having a built-in iPod, but with included GPS. Would be nifty. But how to transfer music, well... Over Wifi prehaps, or by using a laptop? o_O.
Click to expand...

Last year Intel was showing a media center in a VW Passat that used WiMax to transmit data around the car (to/from PC/UMPC, to remote video displays, GPS navigation, ...)

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/28871/113/

Photos:

http://www.tgdaily.com/index.php?op...18&Itemid=41&slideshow=200609291&currentPic=1

1.jpg
 
walangij said:
and I've seen many friends lose windows and tom toms b/c they would leave them in the car. I've never seen someone try to jack the integrated GPS from a car. It'll be interesting to see how Apple handles this market.
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Sure but that's just user stupidity. You don't leave your iPod or cell phone in plain sight either. And you should always take off the little arm as well, even if the GPS itself isn't attached.

I prefer built-in systems. But there are a lot of reasons to get a portable unit. Why do you think they are so insanely popular compared to built-in systems ?
 
dhc said:
Ha - first thing i thought of was the fleeting scene in one of the Men in Black movies where we get a quick glimse of OSX running on the display of the dashboard of the car... I'll try and dig out a screen shot.
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MIB II Chapter 12, 00:36:00

Screenshot_1.jpg
 
I think this is a fantastic idea, especially in SUVs, a logical extension of the rear entertainment center concepts. MB's GPS system currently sucks and they hear it all the time from their customers. The expansion of the computer into the car has a very ripe future as all the Mac Mini mods attest to. Sign me up for a trade in for '09...I'll take an ML63 AMG with Apple Command please!
 
paquetja said:
Man, I'm really starting to miss "Apple Computers".
Click to expand...

Oh...so am I.

What the hell are they thinking.
This is the classic mistake made by hundreds of companies that strayed out of their marketplace through ego and greed and end up diluting all the good things that made them what they were.

There is no doubt that Apple are letting the computer side of the business take a back seat to all this consumer electronics crap.

I have been a very loyal Apple fan for 20 years but right now I am seriously starting to worry about these latest moves away from their established business.

Just cos Steve wants to me a pop star doesn't mean Apple have to play these dangerous games.

Why do I get this bad feeling that the name Computer was dropped from their title in antisipation of them abandoning that market in the near future.
What with the Intel switch and things like Safari for Windows we could be looking at a future without a glowing apple on your laptop case :(
 
oldwatery said:
Oh...so am I.

What the hell are they thinking.
This is the classic mistake made by hundreds of companies that strayed out of their marketplace through ego and greed and end up diluting all the good things that made them what they were.

There is no doubt that Apple are letting the computer side of the business take a back seat to all this consumer electronics crap.

I have been a very loyal Apple fan for 20 years but right now I am seriously starting to worry about these latest moves away from their established business.

Just cos Steve wants to me a pop star doesn't mean Apple have to play these dangerous games.

Why do I get this bad feeling that the name Computer was dropped from their title in antisipation of them abandoning that market in the near future.
What with the Intel switch and things like Safari for Windows we could be looking at a future without a glowing apple on your laptop case :(
Click to expand...


You are very disillusioned my friend...

Apple is doing so because they have a nearly unlimited capacity for development and production as a result of the continuing success of their computer department.

They have reached a peak growth rate with their computer division, and will continue to develop other products that may be outside of their original cash cow, but are creating new means of success that fit an over all spectrum of advanced consumer electronics. As long as there is someone to drop money on their latest sexy gadget, there will never be a problem for them.

...and above all else, Apple's computers are far more advanced than any thing else on the planet, what are you worried about?
 
TenaciousPZ said:
You are very disillusioned my friend...

Apple is doing so because they have a nearly unlimited capacity for development and production as a result of the continuing success of their computer department.

...and above all else, Apple's computers are far more advanced than any thing else on the planet, what are you worried about?
Click to expand...

Unlimited capacity? Says who:confused:
By their own admission Apple had to pull vital personel from Leopard development into the iPhone department thus delaying Leopard for at least 4 months.
Unlimited capacity? Is that why the iMac, MacPro and Powerbooks are still basically 3-4 year old designs and the displays...well we won't even mention those dinosaurs.
And please don't bore me with same old story about the many "upgrades" these computers have had recently. That's all they've been....upgrades.

Just because they are still great machines does not obviate the stagnation that has occured in the computer division of late.
My old TiBook is as great a computer as ever but it sure ain't cutting edge anymore. But back in the day it sure as hell was.
Unlimited capacity......
When will we be getting iLife'07, in this life?
How about a replacement for the iSight. The cancelation of which was as big an idiotic marketing and business decision as I've seen in a while from our beloved company.

Apple has always meant innovation and because of their new, broader vision and lack of unlimited capacity that innovation is going into expensive phones, underperforming TV boxes and now car players for Mercedes owners :mad:

What the hell is this headlong rush to spread themselves so thin and enter markets they know nothing about? Espresso machines anyone?
I guess it just boils down to profit....that's all.
It kinda reminds me of the George Orwell classic, Animal Farm.
Where the pigs revolt against the evil farmers and after taking over the farm gradually turn into evil farmers themselves.
Apple and M.S. :eek:
Ironic considering it was the Orwell inspired 1984 advertisment that started it all :rolleyes:
 
Chupa Chupa said:
Too bad Apple is going with MB. I only drive Bimmers. You'd think Apple would go with BMW since they worked with them to produce the first OEM car iPod adapter. Plus BMW REALLY needs a new Nav system. A $300 Garmin blows the BMW Nav away. It's embarrasing.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I have the OEM BMW Navigation system on my '05 E46. The Navi. is cumbersome. I enjoy it and it's prevented me numerous times from getting lost, but it's not easy to use (like when searching for stores/restaurants/post offices etc.).

The GUI is soo mid-90's.
 
oldwatery said:
By their own admission Apple had to pull vital personel from Leopard development into the iPhone department thus delaying Leopard for at least 4 months.
Click to expand...

Who says these people were not working on Leopard?

Except for the software in the iPods, everything that Apple develops is based on MacOS X. Macs, Apple TV, iPhone, everything is running MacOS X.
 
gnasher729 said:
Who says these people were not working on Leopard?

Except for the software in the iPods, everything that Apple develops is based on MacOS X. Macs, Apple TV, iPhone, everything is running MacOS X.
Click to expand...

Apple said they had to move people from Leopard to the iPhone.
I didn't make it up....that was the reason they stated when they announced the delay in Leopard.
 
oldwatery said:
Apple said they had to move people from Leopard to the iPhone.
I didn't make it up....that was the reason they stated when they announced the delay in Leopard.
Click to expand...

I think you didn't get my point: Yes, they were working on the iPhone. But what kind of work do you think they were doing? They were working on Leopard. The iPhone runs MacOS X.
 
I think there is a clear need/niche here. I hate current GPS units (not tried all - but a sample of them to get a feel for the rest). I also have been clamoring and complaining about lack of decent navigation tools for OS X to apple for a while - eventually they had to listen! I am all in for this one.
 
paquetja said:
Man, I'm really starting to miss "Apple Computers".
Click to expand...

yeah so am i... oh wait wasn't the iPod one of the most prominent catalysts for the turnaround in Apple's fortune.. including the return of mr Jobs and the iMac.. but im pretty sure most people were buying iPods that ressurected Apple and has really brought about the awesome products we are getting from them :p maybe it might be good for Apple to branch into different markets, however it might be a *bit* too soon.. see how the Apple TV and iPhone go in the next few months first..
 
WRONG! I get a legal statement about how dangerous it is but you can still enter and use the system while moving.

diamond.g said:
AFAIK Nav systems can't have directions put in them (legally) without the parking brake set. I think the portable units are the exception.
Click to expand...

I'm sure glad Steve is running the company instead of most of the readers here. What are you afraid of? Interface design is a direct spinoff of everything Apple does. They don't have to manufacture these items, and probably won't, just design the interface. People have been screaming for them to do that since VCRs.
 
Snapjack said:
WRONG! I get a legal statement about how dangerous it is but you can still enter and use the system while moving.
Click to expand...

Curious, what NAV system do you use? I use a Pioneer AVIC-D3 (looking to get the Z2 though) and it greys out the address input option while the vehicle is in motion.
 
gnasher729 said:
I think you didn't get my point: Yes, they were working on the iPhone. But what kind of work do you think they were doing? They were working on Leopard. The iPhone runs MacOS X.
Click to expand...

Then why did they publicly state that they had taken human resources away from Leopard and moved them to the iPhone thus delaying the release of the software.
The iPhone runs a version of MacOS and it is not the same as on your computer. So how does it help the computer software development to have people working on the iPhone version?
The mere fact they had to move anybody indicates that they do not have unlimited resources as you suggested. And that is my point.
 
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