Elon Musk Backtracks on Earlier Comments, Says 'I Don't Hate Apple'

[JeffyTheQuik]

In my years of experience, I've found that the first thing out of peoples' mouths is usually their true thoughts.

After that, it's just mopping up the barf that comes afterward.

 

[BillyMatt87]

I'm still trying to figure out how in the hell would Apple sell cars in their retail stores...

 

[kazmac]

Ah... life in the Pubic Eye.


















Backpeddles, I meant Public...

 

[Tubamajuba]

This online lynching is just a symptom of the 2010s political correctness, social media, and the "certificate of participation", "selfie stick" narcissism that has been fostered into a generation of people who cant take criticism as they were never taught so. Where the generational trend is for people to be defined by - and demand respect for - their feelings and how they see themselves. Rather than how others see them and what they do which defines them. A backwards step IMO.

Calling this an "online lynching" is so overblown that it reeks of exactly the same kind of politically correct, criticism-averse tone that you accuse others of using.

It's just words on a page, much like Musk's comments.

 

[Studioman]

Apple doesn't seem to be anything Tesla needs to worry about, Google is. Any way, Apple is way way way behind Tesla and Google in this racing.

You notice he isn't and neither is anyone else. The only company the leaders of the industry fear is Apple. They see what Google is doing and know it is a joke. The tales of what Apple is doing send chills up their spines. Google has yet to produce a successful profitable product outside of search with ads.

Google has yet to make a successful smart phone or tablet on the level of Apple, so why would anyone think they could be successful with a whole car?

 

[VMMan]

Tesla may have Elon Musk, but Apple has Dr Dre.

 

[MacMulti]

BackpedalGate

 

[HD303]

Tesla is breaking new ground, something Apple no longer can accomplish. I think what Musk stated is somewhat true and hits a nerve.

 

[friedmud]

Tim Cook must have ordered a "weather-related shipping delay" on Musk's rose-gold iPhone 6s.

More likely is that their Apps for controlling their cars from iPhones and Apple Watches suddenly got hung up in "review" ;-)

 

[flaw600]

Not right away, it didn't. Either way, the Apple Watch is simply the first step into wearables. It's not meant to be the flagship of the company. It's basically an accessory.

As far as Apple and cars, Elon Musk better not get too cocky:

“Apple should pull the plug on the iPhone… What Apple risks here is its reputation as a hot company that can do no wrong. If it’s smart it will call the iPhone a ‘reference design’ and pass it to some suckers to build with someone else’s marketing budget. Then it can wash its hands of any marketplace failures… Otherwise I’d advise people to cover their eyes. You are not going to like what you’ll see.”

- John Dvorak, 2007

“We’ve learned and struggled for a few years here figuring out how to make a decent phone. PC guys are not going to just figure this out. They’re not going to just walk in.”

- Ed Colligan, 2006

Exactly. History is remembered with rose colored glasses, especially with Apple. The iPhone 2G was not compelling. It only sold in solid numbers after a price drop and even then wasn't a serious competitor till 3GS. I can accept the 'functionality' criticism of the Apple Watch but not the implication that because of it the Watch is inherently inferior to Apple's more popular products. Almost all of their products' first couple versions weren't compelling. The Mac was not an instant hit. The iPod was not an instant hit. The iPhone wasn't an instant hit, nor was the iPad. Do I wish the Apple Watch did more? Yes. Do I think that it's pretty good for v1? Also yes. And do I think it'll get better? Hell yes. If we decided to wash our hands of an idea because of v1 then we'd miss out on the improvements that would make it a hit product.

 

[flaw600]

Tesla is breaking new ground, something Apple no longer can accomplish. I think what Musk stated is somewhat true and hits a nerve.

What new ground, exactly, that others aren't already experimenting on?

 

[bladerunner2000]

Apple fanboys on MR are complaining like crazy over this story. Elon Musk has all of you shook.

 

[Keirasplace]

Yeah I also think it's worrying, but for a different reason.

I don't agree with what he said and think the personal insults to those engineers were not classy. However, I think it's fascinating how he needs to backtrack and start singing Apple's praises because he's stirred a hornets nest.

If this was him flaming, say, Microsoft, Google or Facebook, the world would have shrugged and moved on. When it comes to Apple, the world demands an apology.

Whatever the reason is, they do have a lot of power.

You got it backward...

IT IS HIS CLIENTS or the much bigger group of POTENTIAL ONES that forced him to apologize.

Not only that, he ragged on ex-employees, many at the top of their field; they could have left for a myriad of reasons, including possible their boss being a dick. They probably didn't share that with him.

When recruiting, you need to be mindful of what image your company projects; Musk's words were very bad for recruitment purposes.

Also, Tesla's main demos are a niche of Apple's demo and he knows it.
That's even more the case for the Apple Watch, which makes the whole comment even more weird.

Apple clients are brand loyal and
Pissing on their brand is not a good way to
sell his cars to them in the future.

You do know he has to sell those cars.

He did a PR boo boo and needed to fix it.

 

[macduke]

Didn't see this coming, except when I commented on the original article the other day that his primary market is a lot of big time Apple users. People who value quality design, materials, engineering, etc and have the money to spend.

As for the Apple Watch, it can actually do quite a bit—just not very fast. However I think the killer feature will be advanced sensors. That's what is really going to get me to upgrade from my first gen. As it is I'm already getting healthier. I also love owning the first generation of new Apple Products, so it will be nice to have this in my small collection with the first iPad and first iPhone. Someday I'll try to get my hands on some old Macs and iPods to round it off, but these items have more meaning since I used them.

 

[PJL500]

Elon is in the toilet. Heeeeeeere's Jony!!!

 

[Keirasplace]

It's actually an incredibly unprofessional comment. He's just labelled a bunch of ex-employees as being unimportant, not having made it and going to a graveyard. People change employment for lots of reasons; incompatibility, working conditions, family commitments, career prospects and these comments are really bordering on defamatory. I'd be hesitant to work for any employer who trash talked former employees, it's just unprofessional.

Yeah, Tesla actually hired those very high skilled people, they worked a while for them (putting long hours, I'Ve worked in the valley) and now moved on for greener pastures; that happens all the time down there.

So, is Tesla's HR and management team so bad that they hire all those "bad fit" people... If that's the case, maybe HR, management, or the way work is done, needs to change... If people leave, it's often for VERY GOOD REASONS, and it should be a big warning sign that something's not right, not a notice to lash out at those who flee.

I doubt that even a minute portion of them were actually let go for performance reasons.

So, yes, his comment was beyond crass; a douche move.

If I was getting an offer from him, I'd wonder how soon he'd think that about me?

Would he have this king of thinking while I'm still there, pushing me out in some passive-aggressive way because he was too lame to tell me to my face, and just waiting to be fed up and leave because that made him feel like the "good guy"...
(A bit like many people do in a relationship... They're never to blame if it goes sour... Never)

Considering how many comments from Musk we've had on Apple and the rumors of poaching, I think Apple is probably biting pretty deep in his talent pool, even delaying his plans, and it pisses him off.

There's only so many talented senior expert engineer in such a field and not every one of them wants to have to have to prove that they can "cut it" when in fact they know what they're worth already (and the competitors do to). Musk is not recruiting in a vacuum; his words are very bad for future recruitment.

 

[CmdrThor]

I disagree that "Apple has entered the car business". Apple may very well be planning to enter the car business, but they have not sold a vehicle yet. Elon also uses an iPhone (his Model X for the launch event was set up with a lightning connector, not mini USB) so it's not like he is an Apple hater. People are allowed their opinions of Apple Watch. I personally love mine, but I understand future revisions have so much more potential.

This really doesn't need to be Apple fanboys vs Tesla fanboys.

 

[Keirasplace]

I feel iffy when a conglomerate enters a market completely untraditional to their prominence. Is it considered tacky? Mitsubishi has made televisions in the past, as well as Phillips which now seems to make pharmaceuticals. Apple has pioneered personal computing, likewise Mercedes has done the same for the automotive industry (genuinely the first automobile created despite popular belief of many fellow Americans). At any rate, I hope they succeed. I just can't imagine an Apple sticker/badge in place of my beloved three-pointed star haha. And with that said, I hope to dear God Mercedes gives Elon's precious "Tesla" a run for it's money. German engineering is better than that, and I do not care for that guy, or his brainchild. "The Best or Nothing."

Apple is selling a whole experience, the holistic view of things, how it delivers it is accessory.

Everything they sell integrates with the rest.

What they sell delivers a whole controlled experience by itself (That's why Apple TV was considered a hobby, because it kind of stood out from the rest of their product range, the new one is becoming a main product for them).

Apple won't sell a part of a whole made by others a a main product because then they can't control the experience (experience depends on context) their consumers will get. So. they're not interested in selling a part of a car, unless maybe they could replace the whole inside of a car...


Considering how computing and consumer electronics have converged, and intelligence has seeped into everything Apple does makes sense.

With cars going more and more towards consumer electronics, Apple going into them also makes a lot of sense.

 

[Mactendo]

He's being too generous. Apple Watch design is not interesting.

 

[thefourthpope]

Jony isn't?

"What I've really done here...is to...reimagine the possibilities of what a person can be...to [hand wave] parse the very experience of personhood into its true [head tilt] essence...there is me. There is not me. It's really...quite [head tilt] remarkable...what I've been able to do. I mean we. What we've been able to do. We. But mostly me."

 

[osaga]

Elon is a Jobs type of guy.

I think it's entirely possible that Tim wants Elon to be the CEO of Apple. Maybe Apple's just making a car to get closer to him. Ultimately I doubt Elon would take the job because he'd feel he lacked the necessary passion to do Apple justice.

 

[Mactendo]

Is this the going trend these days ? Make a nasty statement and then backtrack the very next day ?

Sorkin..Musk... I wonder who is next in Line

If people attack you with anger on this forum when you say something against Apple then imagine the scale of the negative reaction such popular person is dealing with after his public words.

 

[bladerunner2000]

Typical backtracking from people who are jealous and/or scared of what Apple is capable of and their incredible brand power that has yet to be matched by any other company.

We see this happen all the time, especially recently.

I'm sorry, but Elon Musk really comes across as a self-centred egoistic person. I'd rather work for Tim or Jony any day.

Sure, sure, Elon. Now go stand in the corner with Aaron Sorkin.

This is little like 'drunk texting' and regretting your actions the following morning.

Elon Musk just seems like a douche.

His face. It's something about his face. It's very punchable. And the fact he acts like a douche further adds to that.

Good thing he backtracked. It seems to be a trend now.

Elon Musk is one pompous sounding douche. Sounds like somebody's company is feeling a little threatened by Apple's pending auto...

Translation: "Oops, I inadvertently alienated a core demographic..."

There's a five letter word for people like Elon, that starts with a P, ends with a Y and has U and S in it.

Elon is a douche. I actually find Steve Ballmer more likable.

Right?!! I was just mentioning that the other day . It's his FACE.

Hmm, how does the Apple Watch compare to the Tesla watch?

standby your comments Musk and yes version 3 will be a good one.

Bite that pillow, Musk. Better you to it now than when you are interviewing for Tim's assistant.

Jeesh, because he is Steve, so naturally he is better,

Elon is just jealous because Apple will actually turn a profit on their car unlike him.

so Musk's having fun with Apple, then later apologies, but goes on the gravy-train again with the other Apple products ?

What happens after that ? "Their are no more products i can make fun of"

Start going after Samsung? Good for the media though. We're all constantly scratching our heads in vein wondering what he's gonna come out with next.

backtracking if i've ever seen it

Here's the deal with Elon Musk. He was basically trying to pull off a Steve Jobs kind of response, but he couldn't. He just doesn't have it. Let's see if he tries it again.

I agree... He sure is PUShY

Elon is just jealous and has now shown he is also beholding.

It's actually an incredibly unprofessional comment. He's just labelled a bunch of ex-employees as being unimportant, not having made it and going to a graveyard. People change employment for lots of reasons; incompatibility, working conditions, family commitments, career prospects and these comments are really bordering on defamatory. I'd be hesitant to work for any employer who trash talked former employees, it's just unprofessional.

Elon is in the toilet. Heeeeeeere's Jony!!!

Apple fanboys: shook.

 

[kds1]

Apple fanboys: shook.

Is that all you got?

 

[McGiord]

I think Musk is fairly correct about Apple making cars. It's a completely different foreign industry for Apple. The culture is also different. Apple has moved towards a model where they want you to upgrade annually, and they essentially build in an expiration date on their products so you will be forced to upgrade. If you own an iPhone or iPad that's older than 2-3 years, basically it's considered obsolete. Not everyone can or should lease a car. Cars should also be built to last, especially if they are going to be a premium product. This is a natural evolution for Apple, but I highly doubt that they'll do well the first decade they try it out. This feels very much like Apple's move with the Apple Watch. It's going to serve a niche audience for a prolong period of time. However as technology improves, I do think that an investment like this will benefit Apple in 20-30 years, because by then the cost would likely go down enough to be acceptable to the average consumer.

Apple certainly can do something like they are doing with the iPhone 6S to have a financing to get the latest version every years for a fee. If they figure out a way to disrupt the current leasing model and eliminate the dealers as middle man they may have something good to compete. Now serving the vehicles is another set of issues that are way more complex than their current Apple Store business model. Plenty kids nowadays don't even bother to learn how to drive, driving may be considered a waste of time for certain people as well as for companies like Apple, Google, Facebook et al who want you connected to their services consuming their services or generating the data they need to make money.