Apple's Marc Newson Believes Automotive Design is Lacking Progress

[neuropsychguy]

I have one:

That Razer Blade is a MacBook Pro body painted black with a different keyboard/trackpad setup. It's a nice computer and better than most other laptops running Windows but Razer just copied and tweaked Apple's design. It's easy to end up with a good looking laptop when you copy Apple (even the design of the cooling system is copied from the MacBook Pro).

 

[Taz Mangus]

Let's be honest here... What can Apple offer that someone like Toyota, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, or Tesla (random car brands that I've picked off the top of my head) can't? These cars already offer reliability, luxury, performance, and innovation. At every tier, Apple's version would be simpler, and more expensive.

Google has the self-driving car in the works, but that thing has its own issues at the moment, so I don't see it as being and alternative for a many years to come.

Rewind back to 2007, what could Apple possible offer for a smart phone that someone like Blackberry, Samsung, Sony and Microsoft can't? Point being, no one knows what could be different until the product is released.

 

[deconstruct60]

...​

The New Yorker also reflected on how Newson and Ive are "car guys" in February:
....

if these two " car designers" are the primary drivers of a multiple billion dollar investment of Apple getting into automobiles then sell the stock now. This is about the most superficial evaluation of the state of car design and technology that I seen in a long time classified as being industry insightful.

More cars look the same these days because they have the same aerodynamic , structural , and engineering issues to comply to. The elements underneath the superficial containers is about just as dynamic and forward looking as most other eras of automobiles. The differentiating the body styling folks make is more minimal so it isn't surprising they a poo-ping the modern cars. What is in the stone ages and dismally behind the times is the computer networking and software security in cars. Apple as a more skilled infotainment subsystem vendor than what is out there now.... yeah that wouldn't be a major leap for them to make. A holistic car system vendor.... that's a chuckle. These two guys bring almost nothing to the table at all in that problem space.

 

[apolloa]

That Razer Blade is a MacBook Pro body painted black with a different keyboard/trackpad setup. It's a nice computer and better than most other laptops running Windows but Razer just copied and tweaked Apple's design.

I say yes and no with that. Because they cram a hell of a lot more power into thin designs. I would have one sat next to my Mac happily haha, but I would have one for that cool trackpad, actually they do go one better than Apple as it's a 17" screen. Shame they don't sell in the UK, well don't sell their computers anyway.

 

[Asscat]

I like how Jony is subtly flipping Marc the bird.

 

[69Mustang]

Was this actually designed to be sold to general consumers or mass produced in any way?

Nope. Sweet lord nope. Just a design study. From a safety and engineering perspective, that car could never be built. Just imagine a side impact to that thing. Funny enough though, Japanese Kei cars follow a similar geometric design theme.

 

[lincolntran]

I could say the exact same thing about the computer and electronics industry. Apple's designs have hit a trough too.

Really? I haven't seen any computer with better design. Can you give me some references?

On the other hand, you can say anything about whatever. No one can stop you from expressing your opinion

 

[Rogifan]

More car rumors...

http://blogs.barrons.com/techtrader...ys-global-equities/?mod=yahoobarrons&ru=yahoo

Without citing any sources, Chowdhry describes real estate in Silicon Valley being sucked up by Apple for various efforts he suggests are covert product development, including this mysterious new something:

• Apple is gobbling a lot of real-estate in the Bay Area …”It is very difficult to get Office Space…which Apple has not already leased or owns” was a very common comment we are hearing
• Comprehensive view is that Apple is currently working on at least a couple of high intensity projects, and Apple has been aggressively hiring smart engineers from various industries ….
• It is very likely that Apple is working on some new device with the following characteristics:
  • A device which is 27″ to 50″ Curved Glass somewhat resembling a car windshield or a curved display
  • The whole surface area acts like an HUD (Heads Up Display)
  • The various sensors are built right into the Glass
• We think this could be the next generation of some computing device, which may be completely gesture controlled…
• Apple has at-least a couple disguised buildings in Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, where some believe this stealth device is being developed
• The launch of this device does not seem imminent

 

[neuropsychguy]

I say yes and no with that. Because they cram a hell of a lot more power into thin designs. I would have one sat next to my Mac happily haha, but I would have one for that cool trackpad, actually they do go one better than Apple as it's a 17" screen. Shame they don't sell in the UK, well don't sell their computers anyway.

Spec-wise it's great. Razer does good work cramming good components into a small space (but at the cost of heat; Razor laptops commonly have overheating issues, at least overheating comes up fairly frequently in reviews of the laptops). I'd buy one if I was in the market for a gaming laptop (I built a hackintosh/gaming desktop and don't have need of a laptop at this point in life). I was just pointing out that Razor copied the MacBook Pro, changed the components, and did some novel design and modifications but essentially the good design comes from Apple and not Razer.

Nothing against them. It'd be great if more laptop manufacturers copied Apple's designs (many have certainly been inspired by Apple designs with their ultrabooks).

 

[definitive]

Rewind back to 2007, what could Apple possible offer for a smart phone that someone like Blackberry, Samsung, Sony and Microsoft can't? Point being, no one knows what could be different until the product is released.

There's a difference between a phone and a car. They serve two different purposes. Do you think Apple will introduce a flying car in a few years? I don't... Aside from that, I'm thinking that Apple's car wouldn't differ much (touch screen windows? lol) from what ever is available between now and the time Apple (if they do) releases their car.

 

[RodThePlod]

Apple's SVP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue joined Ferrari's Board of Directors in November 2012, while Ive has owned several luxury vehicles ranging from Aston Martins and Fiats to Bentleys and Land Rovers.

Fiat's are definitely not luxury vehicles, Macrumors!

 

[jmh600cbr]

Stop it. It's not funny anymore.

Every freaking thread:
"Herp derp, but does it bend?"
"Hurr Durr, you're bending it wrong!"
"Hopefully it doesn't bend! Amirite guys? You know, like the iPhone 6 did? Are you getting my extremely subtle reference? ...Guys?"

It's a joke. Jeez. Maybe the mirrors will protrude more and it'll have less battery life. I dunno

 

[jmh600cbr]

Buy a Samsung Note, oh wait, it bends as well... Try HTC... Oh, wait... it bends... Every phone that costs the same and is the same size bends...

Hmm.. Phones bend... Cars crumple... Glasses break... Start a revolution

Learn to understand jokes. I own every apple product available sans watch. Chill bro. It's the Internet.

 

[bladerunner2000]

I suppose Apple's push for everything being proprietary would make things better? LOL, yeah right. Take a seat, Apple.

 

[Mactendo]

I said the same thing on these forums a couple of weeks ago: modern cars are dull and boring. Glad Marc Newson agrees, although I don't believe these guys could make something really nice, usable and innovating at the same time. He feels like the perfect addition to Jony Ive, so I'd not expect anything revolutionary. Maybe we'll see something trendy and minimalist like the flat design they applied to iOS and OS X.

 

[Mactendo]

Boom. Beauty and brawn. Every nanometer is accounted for in this remarkable work of man-made design. The materials and the way they are carefully crafted and sculpted into sensuous yet masculine lines suggests a profound level of power and boldness. Which also allows me to experience great works of art like Diablo, Mass Effect, GTA V.

You don't write texts for Apple ads and Jony speeches, don't you?

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Wow, talk about irony! Where's the Progress with Apple? a watch? Apple hasn't seen anything innovative since Steve Jobs left.

It's comments like this that ruin this site. I mean, 'a watch?', what's that even mean. It's like referring to the iPhone as 'a phone?' Or a car as 'a car?' There's no discussion to be had with your comment because it's a nothing comment. I'm not even a watch owner and will never own a watch of any kind, but I think Apple did an excellent job on the watch. And there's that word again: innovation. Get me outta here.

 

[Larry-K]

Maybe they'll bring their "Make it thinner" approach to autos, after the Apple Watch of course.

 

[apolloa]

Spec-wise it's great. Razer does good work cramming good components into a small space (but at the cost of heat; Razor laptops commonly have overheating issues, at least overheating comes up fairly frequently in reviews of the laptops). I'd buy one if I was in the market for a gaming laptop (I built a hackintosh/gaming desktop and don't have need of a laptop at this point in life). I was just pointing out that Razor copied the MacBook Pro, changed the components, and did some novel design and modifications but essentially the good design comes from Apple and not Razer.

Nothing against them. It'd be great if more laptop manufacturers copied Apple's designs (many have certainly been inspired by Apple designs with their ultrabooks).

Yes, I think they have the exhaust along the hinge too? But they didn't copy the keyboard as I think Sony was first with the chicklet style laptop keyboard? I praise them for it though, hated the other style that Apple had.
But yes, they did copy the Mac, probably why I would have both if I could, shame about the overheating didn't know about that.

Anyway, as for car design again..

Alfa Romeo make stunning cars as are far far far from being in a trough.

 

[aaronvan]

I hope Apple doesn't become Yahoo! and starts randomly buying crap companies for vaguely-defined reasons. I'm all for development, but companies often stumble when they attempt to expand beyond their core competencies.

 

[69Mustang]

I think that's his point. All the cars on the road look the same which means they can't be beautiful. None of them stick out as unique or innovative or have personality. Just look at Apple products (well maybe not now since they have been so copied) compared to the beige boxes and plastic smartphones. Apple is looking to introduce a car that isn't beautiful or sexy or any of those tired adjectives. They are trying to re-ignite the industry through design the way they already have with consumer electronics and PCs.

If that's his point it's not a valid point at all. Maybe I'm confusing your hyperbole with fact. Apologies if I am. All cars on the road don't look the same. Some cars share design language. They also share a crap ton of underpinings. The sheet metal is as varied as it has been any time in history (my own hyperbole) Look at an Alfa Romeo 4C, the Toyobaru Twins, the drop dead gorgeous, beautiful and sexy Jaguar F Type, any Audi, Ford's new Focus ST, Mustang, and luscious GT. These cars and many, many more don't fit a cookie cutter mold.

Bolded: Not being snarky, but what exactly does that mean? Sounds like something a marketing wonk would say. A lot of words strung together to make a sentence that, when examined, doesn't really say anything. How exactly do you re-ignite an industry that has grown 5 years straight and projected to keep growing at least through 2018?

 

[smithrh]

I suppose Apple's push for everything being proprietary would make things better? LOL, yeah right. Take a seat, Apple.

I see you joined MacRumors fairly recently.

Interesting that you should say Apple pushes for everything to be proprietary. This is demonstrably a foolish and inaccurate statement. I don't have the time (or inclination) to correct you, but perhaps someone else will.

 

[adnbek]

Boom. Beauty and brawn. Every nanometer is accounted for in this remarkable work of man-made design.

You have poor taste.

 

[longofest]

Apple, no need to make my car any thinner than it is.

 

[KdParker]

I also think car designers are lazy. I picked up a 2016 Mazda6 a month ago and I do enjoy it. However, look at the rear ends of some cars and SUVs. They all look very similar. Just lazy. I don't know what's wrong with Toyota to add a big plastic open mouth at the bottom of their Corolla and Camry.

View attachment 574957

To be fair. You need to have two tail lights and blinkers and doesn't really leave much room for a different look when you add in the trunk.