Apple Registers 'Apple.car' and Other Auto-Related Domains

[MacRumors]

Apple has registered a trio of auto-related top-level domain names, including apple.car, apple.cars and apple.auto. Whois records updated on January 8 show that Apple registered the domains through sponsoring registrar MarkMonitor Inc. in December 2015, although the addresses are not yet active.

The domains could be related to CarPlay, but there will naturally be speculation about their possible relation to Apple's much-rumored electric vehicle plans. Multiple reports over the past year said Apple has a secretive team of hundreds working on an electric vehicle with a prospective 2019 or 2020 shipping date.

There is increasing evidence that Apple is at least exploring the auto industry, including the iPhone maker's discussions with a secure Bay Area testing facility for connected and autonomous vehicles and the company's August meeting with the California DMV to review self-driving vehicle regulations.

Apple has aggressively recruited engineers and other talent from Tesla, Ford, GM, Samsung, A123 Systems, Nvidia and elsewhere to work on the rumored "Apple Car" project, which has allegedly been called "Project Titan" internally. Electric motorcycle startup Mission Motors even ceased operations after losing employees to Apple.

Apple likely remains in the earlier stages of research and development of its rumored electric vehicle, and it remains possible the company's plans change over the next three to four years. Nevertheless, the trio of new domains provide yet another clue that Apple may one day compete with the likes of Tesla and Google.

Article Link: Apple Registers 'Apple.car' and Other Auto-Related Domains

 

[snebes]

Apple protecting their IP. Every apple.* TLD, I am sure, is registered.

News at 11.

Edit: Holy cow. .CAR TLDs are expensive--$2800. There goes me registering itunes.car before Apple does.

 

[sza]

Tim: the price will be starting at just $99999 and we are announcing some exciting accessories as well...including a hump...

 

[Popeye206]

I wonder if the Apple car will come with an Apple sticker pre-attached?

 

[navaira]

You forgot to mention it's a secret project.

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

I can't wait to buy the Apple Car!

No seriously, no sarcasm.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Of course, this can only be for the latest in inkjet technology...

The Apple Cartridge!

I'll grab my coat...

 

[widget999]

Still don't think this is going to happen.

 

[kdarling]

I wonder if the Apple car will come with an Apple sticker pre-attached?

I can guarantee one thing: simply by virtue of it being in a moving car, Safari will be zippier!

 

[Binarymix]

So, Apple won't venture into making their own TVs because of profit margins and customer upgrade cycle, but they're going to make a car....

 

[myrtlebee]

This is just goofy. No other word to describe it. It strays way too far from their product lineup. Not to mention, where would the car be displayed in the Apple stores?

 

[Chatter]

Apple car - all style, no flash.
[doublepost=1452269301][/doublepost]

This is just goofy. No other word to describe it. It strays way too far from their product lineup. Not to mention, where would the car be displayed in the Apple stores?

I understand where you are coming from and IF this happens (and we can debate that all day), it will probably be a Tesla like mall display. Show the base car and custom order upgrades with home delivery.

 

[McScooby]

Wasn't iphone.org registered years before it saw the light of day?

 

[jdillings]

I predict, after the first year, Apple will remove the passenger seats to make it thinner.

 

[myrtlebee]

Apple car - all style, no flash.
[doublepost=1452269301][/doublepost]

I understand where you are coming from and IF this happens (and we can debate that all day), it will probably be a Tesla like mall display. Show the base car and custom order upgrades with home delivery.

What about test drives?

 

[McScooby]

I predict, after the first year, Apple will remove the passenger seats to make it thinner.

Why's that, Do you think it'll have a driver's seat?

 

[thermodynamic]

Apple protecting their IP. Every apple.* TLD, I am sure, is registered.

News at 11.

Edit: Holy cow. .CAR TLDs are expensive--$2800. There goes me registering itunes.car before Apple does.

It's supposed to be a free market for all - patent trolls do exist and not all of them are small individuals trying to play the same game. But even the domain name sellers will jack up prices if they perceive profit as a result, it is what the market will bear -- it is the free market at work. Just be there first, but then not cry "patent or domain name troll, waah" and sue if you're not first... (not "you" as in you personally but as a person or grouping of people in general. )

 

[mistasopz]

Apple car powered by Apple maps and Siri... No thanks.

#icargate #youredrivingitwrong

 

[Binarymix]

I predict, after the first year, Apple will remove the passenger seats to make it thinner.

They'll just start with a convertible then end up with seats on a frame.

 

[thermodynamic]

So, Apple won't venture into making their own TVs because of profit margins and customer upgrade cycle, but they're going to make a car....

Must be a hidden market opportunity somewhere...

 

[Keirasplace]

So, Apple won't venture into making their own TVs because of profit margins and customer upgrade cycle, but they're going to make a car....

High end cars have 12-15% margins, but electric cars could have more.
Most high end phone makers have smaller profit margins than Apple.

There aren't many industries as large as a the car industry were Apple can go.

Only the very top end TV's, an ultra small market have high margins, everything else is a few percent.

Apple has a choice of:

- Inventing a new market : quite hard and big revenues may not be there.
- Entering an existing market : not as hard, a bit less risky.

Barriers to entry are very large in the auto industry (because of tech and money needed), which would create a moat vis-a-vis most competitors except the largest car competitors.

Brand loyalty is key in high end cars; Apple could do well if they create a good product.

 

[thermodynamic]

This is just goofy. No other word to describe it. It strays way too far from their product lineup. Not to mention, where would the car be displayed in the Apple stores?

Not the car, just the entertainment component with names of car brands it will be in. Definitely advertising revenue coming in from this too, which also means an even higher price for the car being purchased since advertising funds don't get pulled out of thin air... but people don't mind sly subsidies and welfare until it's for an unemployed mother of two...

Of course, this can only be for the latest in inkjet technology...

The Apple Cartridge!

I'll grab my coat...

Except HP, Lexmark, Keurig, and everyone else did that technology to prohibit competitors' cheaper designs first.

 

[Binarymix]

High end cars have 12-15% margins, but electric cars could have more.
Most high end phone makers have smaller profit margins than Apple.

There aren't many industries as large as a the car industry were Apple can go.

Only the very top end TV's, an ultra small market have high margins, everything else is a few percent.

Apple has a choice of:

- Inventing a new market : quite hard and big revenues may not be there.
- Entering an existing market : not as hard, a bit less risky.

Barriers to entry are very large in the auto industry (because of tech and money needed), which would create a moat vis-a-vis most competitors except the largest car competitors.

Brand loyalty is key in high end cars; Apple could do well if they create a good product.

Profit margins are one thing, most people won't buy a new car for many years, unless they only do leasing.

 

[Xavier]

We'll have to wait until version 2 for carplay.

 

[Keirasplace]

This is just goofy. No other word to describe it. It strays way too far from their product lineup. Not to mention, where would the car be displayed in the Apple stores?

Apple is a systems integration and experience company; both fit perfectly with a car.

Making sure all components work together to provide the best experience; don't you wish a car maker actually provided that.

Cars are becoming computer electronic products (with their increasing automation and moving away from combustion engine).
[doublepost=1452269944][/doublepost]

Profit margins are one thing, most people won't buy a new car for many years, unless they only do leasing.

Doesn't matter, this industry is very large and like I said, there isn't much very large industry Apple could enter.

When you make that much money as Apple, you need to go into something big.