Arizona Vehicle Testing Site Rumored to Be Used by Apple Purchased for $125 Million

[justperry]

Apple almost always comes into a market already established. But it brings in something better. Music, phones, tablets, personal computers, services, etc etc etc. the list is literally endless.

Almost always yup, but then you name Music and services, Music is an absolute NO, what have they done better, I am European, I don't see anything better in Apple Music, actually I think it's only so-so.
Services, they had quite some duds, and the service they deliver is good but not really better than others.
I agree with hardware.

 

[rpmurray]

Is this Apple's Area 51?

You thinking what I'm thinking? Alien advanced tech in the car.

 

[jmgregory1]

And Tesla is already losing ground again. Last quarter tesla was no longer the number 1 in selling EV’s in my country, it was beaten by VW subsidiary Skoda. (Czech brand, quite good tbh)

I’m a fan of Tesla, mainly for doing what everyone said couldn’t be done, but there is no doubt that the legacy manufacturers will surpass Tesla within the next 10 years. And the having every automaker draw the line on the shift to electric will provide incentives for infrastructure to shift from gas stations to electric charging, which will at least further minimize the range anxiety people have.

 

[GunStrauss]

I’m a fan of Tesla, mainly for doing what everyone said couldn’t be done, but there is no doubt that the legacy manufacturers will surpass Tesla within the next 10 years. And the having every automaker draw the line on the shift to electric will provide incentives for infrastructure to shift from gas stations to electric charging, which will at least further minimize the range anxiety people have.

No doubt? 😂

 

[Chrjy]

When Apple do something, they go all in. I guess they can afford it but they don't mess around.

'Go hard or go home'!

 

[CarlJ]

Phones, tablets, watches, bluetooth headsets. Apple didn't invent the cell phone, table or bluetooth headset, yet they made quite a splash in those areas over the years.

But, you know, “they’re not going to just walk in, to (market X)” and be able to do as well as the established players. I’ve heard that on very good authority (from said established players). Uh, several times. 😂

If the market was music-related social media, say, then, sure, they might fail badly. But Apple’s track record on tech hardware for consumers is pretty good.

 

[Zentactics]

iPod…..

Don't forget they didn't create smart phone, smart watch, or tablet fields either.

 

[sevoneone]

Phones, tablets, watches, bluetooth headsets. Apple didn't invent the cell phone, table or bluetooth headset, yet they made quite a splash in those areas over the years.

Yeah, Apple has only ever "broken ground" in defining what a personal computer should be, and that was back in the 80's. Everything else the take existing categories and raise the bar. Early Android phones existed for almost a year before iPhone hit the market, and that doesn't consider Windows Mobile/CE and Blackberry.

 

[IllinoisCorn]

I'm sure Tim Cook signed off on this.

I wonder what dollar figure it takes to have to bother Tim with something, though.

 

[nwcs]

I’ve overall been an Apple fan for a long time but I can’t see myself buying an Apple branded car. Not that I’m super fond of Tesla, either, given their reliability problems plus fit and finish mistakes.

 

[nwcs]

Yeah, Apple has only ever "broken ground" in defining what a personal computer should be, and that was back in the 80's. Everything else the take existing categories and raise the bar. Early Android phones existed for almost a year before iPhone hit the market, and that doesn't consider Windows Mobile/CE and Blackberry.

The early android phones were clones of Blackberry. When iPhone OS came out Android was completely retooled.

 

[I7guy]

I'm sure Tim Cook signed off on this.

I wonder what dollar figure it takes to have to bother Tim with something, though.

Not sure how else to take the above other than Apple should go into revenue sucking products that consumers don't want to buy?

 

[Mrjetsondc]

I’d Apple Maps looked as good as that pic above, I’d still be using it.

 

[I7guy]

But, you know, “they’re not going to just walk in, to (market X)” and be able to do as well as the established players. I’ve heard that on very good authority (from said established players). Uh, several times. 😂

If the market was music-related social media, say, then, sure, they might fail badly. But Apple’s track record on tech hardware for consumers is pretty good.

In my mind, let's say the rumors are spot on and Apple is looking to develop either 1) an apple car or 2) have a peice of it's ecosystem embedded in the car...I cannot envision what that would bring to the table above and beyond a Tesla. I'm sure it will be a premium product with a price tag to match however above and beyond this?

 

[azentropy]

I don't know if this confirms anything but a friend who lives nearby says that around July they saw workers making the asphalt thinner, removing all markings from the roadways, and chamfering the edges on all the buildings. Weird.

I’m pretty close too, but haven’t been that way in a couple years. I’ll have to go check it out!

 

[Chrjy]

Yeah, Apple has only ever "broken ground" in defining what a personal computer should be, and that was back in the 80's. Everything else the take existing categories and raise the bar. Early Android phones existed for almost a year before iPhone hit the market, and that doesn't consider Windows Mobile/CE and Blackberry.

I'm not totally sure Android devices existed before iPhone. Android was released in 2008, a year after iPhone. Blackberry however was way before iPhone and they thought they had cornered the market and didn't adapt.

 

[now i see it]

Apple is never good at competing in a field others created.

?
Uhhhh. How about cellphones?

 

[macsplusmacs]

Early Android phones existed for almost a year before iPhone

False.

 

[rumplestiltskin]

The car won't work unless you own an iPhone. Anyone disagree? 🤣

 

[jmgregory1]

No doubt? 😂

Yes, there is no doubt legacy automakers will surpass Tesla in the sale of electric vehicles. As much as people often complain, and justifiably so, that car dealers are horrible, the model still moves millions of vehicles a year, that Tesla has no connection to, or desire to do business with. Putting cars on the lot drives sales to lots of people who decide they want a new car on the spot, or need one after their old one died, etc.

Then you factor in the attachment a lot of people have to certain brands, who will buy even a less capable Ford, for example, because it’s ”their” brand, not even considering a better comparable Chevy, let alone a Tesla.

Even Elon has said that is an endgame he is fine with, because it will mean that we’ve moved away from an oil based economy.

 

[redmac]

Apple has been wasting time on this car project. It is too many years behind Google and Baidu. By the time Apple comes up with something usable, the market would have been fully taken up. When Apple is not the creator of a market, it never made meaningful splash. In another word, Apple is never good at competing in a field others created.

Did Google or Baidu launch a car that I'm not aware of?

Everyone is rushing to put something on the market, but nothing is there yet. And, even if Apple comes late, it won't put them in a bad position. That will actually help them see what's wrong with those other cars, and put a much better product to the market.

This industry is not like the music streaming, or smart assistant markets where people can get hooked to free or almost free offers, we are talking about self driving cars which will cost tens of thousands dollars. If you expect Google or Baidu to offer you a dirt cheap product that will make potential Apple car customers look away, you'll be greatly disappointed. No Mercedes customer changes mind after seeing a Fiat or a Skoda for cheaper.

By the way, I understand Google, but why should Apple even care about the friggin Baidu? Like Huawei, Xiaomi, Lenovo, etc, Baidu, if ever launches an actual car, won't steal customers from Apple. Every time Huawei or Xiaomi grabs some market share, it comes at the expense of other Android manufacturers like Samsung, not Apple. People who want Apple products keep buying them.

 

[Manzanito]

Yeah, Apple has only ever "broken ground" in defining what a personal computer should be, and that was back in the 80's. Everything else the take existing categories and raise the bar. Early Android phones existed for almost a year before iPhone hit the market, and that doesn't consider Windows Mobile/CE and Blackberry.

They were called android, yes. But they were totally different devices than they are now. As much as I hate apple hyperbole, it’s fair to say they changed the landscape of the smartphone.

 

[IllinoisCorn]

Not sure how else to take the above other than Apple should go into revenue sucking products that consumers don't want to buy?

No, I meant that literally. I wonder what dollar figure draws the "oh, well, we'll have to go ask Tim, first."

 

[sw1tcher]

Phones, tablets, watches, bluetooth headsets. Apple didn't invent the cell phone, table or bluetooth headset, yet they made quite a splash in those areas over the years.

Apple didn't invent the sock, internet service, OTT streaming media box, smart speaker, subscription news (aggregator) service, subscription video on demand streaming service, wireless charging mat, yet they. . . . Oh. Nevermind.

 

[SFjohn]

Apple has been wasting time on this car project. It is too many years behind Google and Baidu. By the time Apple comes up with something usable, the market would have been fully taken up. When Apple is not the creator of a market, it never made meaningful splash. In another word, Apple is never good at competing in a field others created.

You mean like MP3 players?