I sure hope that if it pans out that Apple really is building an electric car, it goes better for them the Apple Maps has to date. Apple decided to reinvent the wheel with Apple Maps and here we are -- several years later -- and it is still substantially behind Google Maps in terms of practical functionality.
If the same thing happens with Apple's electric car and they're never able to catch up to Tesla, I hope they finally learn their lesson about reinventing the wheel unnecessarily.
Does anyone else scratch their heads and say, "Why the hell is Apple designing a car?" It sounds so ridiculous.
My point was why not wait and see? The charging connector could turn out to be the automotive equivalent of USB Type C. And the wheels (assuming it uses wheels) will probably be a standard size, and round.
Music players and Cell Phones are not very different types of industries from Apples core business.
I think all tech companies getting into the car business are a little foolish. The manufacturing of this and legalities of even producing ONE car is huge. I only see Apple, Google, being successful in this business if they are on the software end for developing self driving cars (mapping, IT Infrastructure).. the car itself would be a huge headache to manufacture.
I do however think its good that Apple and Google are getting into this.. I just don't want to see them pursue it as a hardware thing (Cars). The oil companies are SO in bed with the car companies that efficiency is undermined by a petroleum engine. Gas engines are dinosaurs compared to what an electric motor could do, even a hybrid - but we kept getting internal combustion engines shoved down our throats.
I think its a good move for tech companies to get involved if they are investing for software purposes.. hardware on the other hand is so out of the realm of the business model for both Apple and Google. Seriously, the amount of time it takes to get things DOT certified and then even on the road and all of the laws is so immense.
From reading your posts, I thought you were saying that Apple wasn't going to be successful at entering the automotive industry. Sorry if I read you wrong.
No. Lightening 2 cable. It's thinner.No, lightning cable.
And both would bend. But, also, just like every other car it's radio would lose signal from normal driving. So don't forget to get a case for your car.The base model Apple car will have a 16 mile range. The 64 mile model will cost another 100 grand.
We will see. I don't expect Apple to reinvent every aspect of this car from scratch. Nor do I expect them to build it from raw materials. It's an open question whether they will outsource the assembly, though we'll know the answer long before the first production unit rolls off the line. We'll also know which suppliers are providing certain key parts like motors and windshields (just as we currently know who makes the screen and processor for the iPhone).I made no predictions, beyond the high degree of difficulty and risk of what they appear to be attempting, and some of the many complex issues they are likely to encounter. In order to overcome these obstacles they will have to do a lot more than hire a bunch of people who've worked in the automotive industry. It's naive to think they can assemble an internal team that can completely blank-slate a car and bring it to market successfully in just a few years, without partnering with any number of experienced subsystems manufacturers and an existing automotive manufacturer with the available expertise, tooling, assembly lines, and supply chains. Even so it would be the most difficult product Apple has ever attempted and by no means right in their wheelhouse. They aren't calling it Project Titan for nothing.
I made no predictions, beyond the high degree of difficulty and risk of what they appear to be attempting, and some of the many complex issues they are likely to encounter. In order to overcome these obstacles they will have to do a lot more than hire a bunch of people who've worked in the automotive industry. It's naive to think they can assemble an internal team that can completely blank-slate a car and bring it to market successfully in just a few years, without partnering with any number of experienced subsystems manufacturers and an existing automotive manufacturer with the available expertise, tooling, assembly lines, and supply chains. Even so it would be the most difficult product Apple has ever attempted and by no means right in their wheelhouse. They aren't calling it Project Titan for nothing.
We will see. I don't expect Apple to reinvent every aspect of this car from scratch. Nor do I expect them to build it from raw materials. It's an open question whether they will outsource the assembly, though we'll know the answer long before the first production unit rolls off the line. We'll also know which suppliers are providing certain key parts like motors and windshields (just as we currently know who makes the screen and processor for the iPhone).
If all you're saying is that it will be hard, then I agree. I couldn't do it. Raising four kids (under 4yo) is hard enough for me. But Apple has more resources than I do.
Most of the automotive manufacturing that would be completely foreign to Apple at this point would be related to internal combustion powertrains, which is pretty much a moot point for any sort of Apple car. Also, despite all the piling on of Tim Cook that happens on these forums, one thing that is unarguably in his wheelhouse is supply chains. I think the whole point of making an Apple car is not about building a better Ford, it's about making an Apple car. They'll develop whatever network of suppliers is necessary, but they're not going to be sticking an Apple logo on a Chevrolet.
That's a darn good thing too. I think Tesla and Apple together would make a horrible clash of personalities. Apple's all about secrecy and Tesla is pretty open. Besides, I like that Elon has a clear goal for Tesla. Whether he achieves it or not remains to be seen. Let Apple do their thing, Tesla do it's thing, and have competition drive someone to do something better.
Open sourcing the plug in type is a good thing. Tesla + Apple is something else altogether. Not a good thing.I agree about competition, but it would be good if they used the same type of plug in! I could see Apple trying to force people to charge that their stations, using their electricity![]()
Just buy tesla.
Will they use Magsafe connections?
Battery? Change it on arrival and store-forward charge it so it can be charged 100% not 70%. Battery tech is improving, but vendors are pulling an Apple and delivering good enough capacity, and ludicrous speed performance, instead of long range and slow to go speed. We live in traffic jams and speed limits!
Dispense with the ego!
I proposed a real growth business to Apple and the response was crickets.
It is unclear whether Apple would want its own proprietary technology
It's a good thing Apple is ten times as big as they were when they were working on the iPhone.I mean hard, beyond anything Apple has attempted before. Hard to the tenth power.
Tesla has proved it can be done. Apple doesn't have to copy Tesla, but at least they know it's possible with the will and the funding.
Why? They'll probably use propriety electricity that only works with an Apple car.No matter what your electric brand of choice, having the biggest company in the world start putting chargers everywhere has to be a good thing for the industry! Hope that happens.