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Volkswagen and Apple 'iCar' Project On Hold?

It makes perfect sense, VW owners are a culture, VW drivers don't go back to Toyota, Honda, Ford, GM... even though some offer more for the same price tag... you have to own a VDUB to understand... does it sound like Apple? :rolleyes:

I love my Golf! with my :apple: on the butt. Hot.
 
deathshrub said:
You'd love an apple tv in your car? Oooooooooooooooook.

Please don't do this, Apple.
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Note, "something like."

No, I wouldn't want an :apple:TV in my car. I'd love a Mac or even a glorified iPhone (or rumored Mac Tablet), possibly with a custom UI and version of OS X and Front Row, in my car. Touch screen, AM/FM radio, CD/DVD (Blu-Ray/HD?), WiFi syncing to my home network when in range, GPS with Google Earth, maybe even 3G, since it would all be powered by the car. Maybe a battery for when the car is off.

A standard installable car stereo form factor with a mechanized slide out screen would be nice, as that would make it available to people who aren't going to buy a new car. They'd almost have to, to have any significant market effect. Either that, or partner with MANY manufacturers.

Bottom line, a sweet, Apple designed vehicle interface. I'd be willing pay about the same price as a Mac Mini, maybe a little bit more.

Let it be known, I think this is UNLIKELY (anytime soon), but I can still dream. So don't hate. After all, better interface integration is the future, and I've experienced few interfaces that rival Apple's design.
 
zombitronic said:
Note, "something like."

No, I wouldn't want an :apple:TV in my car. I'd love a Mac or even a glorified iPhone (or rumored Mac Tablet), possibly with a custom UI and version of OS X and Front Row, in my car. Touch screen, AM/FM radio, CD/DVD (Blu-Ray/HD?), WiFi syncing to my home network when in range, GPS with Google Earth, maybe even 3G, since it would all be powered by the car. Maybe a battery for when the car is off.

A standard installable car stereo form factor with a mechanized slide out screen would be nice, as that would make it available to people who aren't going to buy a new car. They'd almost have to, to have any significant market effect. Either that, or partner with MANY manufacturers.

Bottom line, a sweet, Apple designed vehicle interface. I'd be willing pay about the same price as a Mac Mini, maybe a little bit more.

Let it be known, I think this is UNLIKELY (anytime soon), but I can still dream. So don't hate. After all, better interface integration is the future, and I've experienced few interfaces that rival Apple's design.
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i would love something like that in my truck. that'd be a dream come true :apple:
 
Grimace said:
It would make sense for Apple to partner with more than just one manufacturer. An integrated CarPod (40GB hard drive) with iTunes interface might get me to by the rest of the car too! :p
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i want to have mac products in my mini cooper, that way i could call it my mini mac cooper :D
 
TitoC said:
That's funny. I thought they had already collaborated on this. Looks very "Apple" to me. This model was shown at a Volkswagen car show not too long ago. Check out the movie clips.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/16/is-the-vw-space-up-interface-developed-by-apple/

Notice the folder icons? Look a little familiar Leopard fans?

spaceupblue_hi25_440.jpg



vw_space-up-blue38_jackjohnson.jpg
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I always wondered why car manufacturers didn't implement such a concept before. You could even extend it further with things like:

* have some kind of output on the system enabling you to do your mileage administration
* have some kind of input on the system to distribute media in the car (seats with built in displays)
* customize the way your front panel looks, not only the functions but also the styling (eg. make the front panel look like it has a 1930's Mercedes meters)
 
carlgo said:
Ford heavily advertises its Microsoft system capabilities. I wonder if there will be a duel between different car makers and whether they have Apple or MS systems.
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I would be torn because I love Mercury... but I'm not too fond of MS. I think, though, as long as it synced to iTunes/iPod in some way shape or form, I would be sufficiently pleased. Has MS come to grips yet with the fact that the iPod won? Hopefully they would be humble enough to have interoperability with the ecosystem...

(OT: At the same time, I wish Apple would be humble enough to work with other ecosystems! Arrogant bastards!)

-Clive
 
This is an interesting issue for me because I have a VW and it is sort of "ghetto integrated" with Apple. All I have is the stock (1997) radio/cassette head unit with one of those tape adapters and honestly it sounds as good as any other Ipod car hookup toy I've seen/used/heard. I was ready to go drop 300 on a whole system for my Ipod but the tape sounds so good I need nothing more- my point here is its kinda stupid to integrate so much with a car because it is so unnecessary and only serves to eliminate people's options. Its ridiculously easy to put an Ipod plug into a head unit and boom you have instant integration. Sure its cool to have a big screen in the dash and a Ipod mount and yada yada but most people probly don't care that much.
As for the VW part, honestly I have a lot of problems with mine but its a TDI (diesel) and the engine blows away anything I've ever had as far as MPG's, durability, and reliability so I can overlook the electrical issues annoying minor things breaking. VW drivers remind me of mac users though its like a cult- especially the TDI people I have been almost scared at gas stations by some of these wacko's when they see my car. (oh yea don't ever tell them you are at a gas station they will freak out- its a fuel station)
 
This doesn't surprise me, Volkswagen is a very egotistical company, and so is Apple. Just like Moto + Apple, this aint going to go over well ;)

That said, I don't get it - VW isn't really known for interesting designs, they just make super-conservative things. The current GTI almost looks like a Honda Civic hatch would had Honda made one for the US, the Jetta (albeit using the same platform as the GTI with a trunk) looks a LOT like a Corolla, and the Passat looks like every other BMW ripoff out there (Altima, Accord, Genesis, G8, G35, I could go on), the Beetle is really outdated (albeit could easily be brought up to date), and the SUVs are nothing special design-wise either.

Some VWs have nice interiors, some don't - and they all have gigantic cluster screens and generally nice looking instrument clusters. The interiors are a little Apple-ish anyway, but juuuust a tiny bit too funky. But still probably the closest to something Apple would do.

The Japanese cars are flat out too funky for Apple to deal with, everyone including Lexus is in a race to fill up the interior with as many buttons as possible attempting to look like a plane cockpit, and Honda seems more likely to conspire with Dell to make an XPScar.

The domestics? I dunno if it'd fit with Apple's "image" so to put it. Ford? No they're already in bed with MS. GM? I dunno, GM doesn't want ANYTHING screwing up OnStar. Chrysler would be a good option, sorta. Their car designs are different, but the car interiors definitely aren't Apple. I think that could be fixed, and I doubt Chrysler would fight with them.

OTOH I think Mercedes would be just as good a shot, if not BMW. Both of which are luxury marques desperate to be tied into something as cool as the iPod ;)
 
ilogic said:
It makes perfect sense, VW owners are a culture, VW drivers don't go back to Toyota, Honda, Ford, GM... even though some offer more for the same price tag... you have to own a VDUB to understand... does it sound like Apple? :rolleyes:

I love my Golf! with my :apple: on the butt. Hot.
Click to expand...


I agree. Although my Beetle has been back to the dealer a few too many times.... i'd buy it again. I can't see myself in a boring Toyota or Honda and NEVER a Ford or GM!! HA! This car rides like a dream. It just feels good, like Apple products. I think the value of the Beetle is good.
 
carlgo said:
I would think Apple would be far better off starting out with Mercedes or BMW and then trickle down from there. VW would be my very last choice as its reputation in the US, at least, is absolutely terrible. There is even talk of them leaving this market.

There was mention of Apple being arrogant in its dealings with VW. I think they would have a hard time matching VW in that regard.
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I think Apple would find more success in the VW market than the BMW/Mercedes Market. Those cars already have high end B&O systems, Bose, whatever you name it systems which are amazing, for most, Apple wouldn't really be a big difference or even a downgrade since it is not "elite".

I think Apple and VW would be a good pair just b/c of what is said directly below.

ilogic said:
It makes perfect sense, VW owners are a culture, VW drivers don't go back to Toyota, Honda, Ford, GM... even though some offer more for the same price tag... you have to own a VDUB to understand... does it sound like Apple? :rolleyes:

I love my Golf! with my :apple: on the butt. Hot.
Click to expand...
+1!

It is a culture, what other car company do you have gigantic meets of 500+ cars on a sunday afternoon just to eat chili and talk cars on a-spur-of-the-moment-plan-the-day-before event? Never heard of any honda, toyota, domestic, doing that. Even though my VW isn't the most reliable, it is fun to drive, comfortable, and just a solid car, never left me stranded ever and I have roadside assistance from VW if it ever does. The "VW is CRAP RELIABILITY" is not like it used to, the 90s plagued their company in their low QC but what other company was plagued by subdued performance in the 90s *cough cough*. We also don't have to worry about them leaving the US market, they have a solid footing here in the US, getting out of the market is old news.

The idea of the iCar is intriguing, in any case I'm interested to see what comes of it.Already all VW cars (yep ALL not just navi) are getting touch screens in the coming year, IMO that's way better that M$ sync's capabilities. OEM touch screen interface will be a nice addition.
DB2007AU01003_medium.jpg
 
I love VW. I've loved them since I was a kid. My uncle had a yellow Beetle and I used to go out to the garage and sit in it all the time and wish that I had a license. :)

I was like 9 or so at the time. Now, 14 years or so later, I still haven't owned a VW. I was gonna get one when I was looking for a car the last time, but I got scared off by the talk of reliability issues. I ended up with my Elantra, which I love, but the next car I get, I will probably just take the plunge and get a VW. :cool:

If Apple and VW can do something cool together, then I'm all for it.
 
iCar

How is Apple integrating Windows :)D)into the iCar?
Will there be a wireless GPS integrated? For google maps with GPS... that would be sweet ;)
 
BMW bravely went to the iDrive system that did allow eyes on the road control with a joystick that could be operated by touch and repetition once you memorized the sequences.

Many customers liked this, being interested in technology and all, but many did not and sales were lost and cars actually returned because it was just too complicated for some.
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Complex? No. "Poorly designed," or "excessive cognitive burden" or maybe "crappy." People couldn't use controls that are easy to get to, like changing the radio station. Not anecdotal, there are studies around this.

Don't even get me started on "once you memorized the sequences."

No reason you cannot get electronic control systems for these additional features in a car well, though.
 
I guess no one other than me ever thought that a touchscreen appletv, that would sync with your computers when you pulled into your drive way would be AMAZING. Tack on interfaces gps and sat. radio, and you have the best mobile media center in world. I always wanted to put an appletv in my car.

I guess I just think different then.
 
According to Wikipedia (which can be dubious), the Golf is the third biggest selling car in the world. I never realised that. Not so exotic after all huh?
 
Chisholm said:
Well, it was called Golf until this model year. It seems that after years of marketing research they found that Americans aren't particularly fond of the sport. So they reached into their old "bag of tricks" (read: arse) and pulled out a Rabbit. Same car. We had and loved a 2000 Golf. Then a 2002 Jetta Wagon. I think its called something else in Italy, means idiot or child molester or something. Now a Rabbit. Again. Americans must like bunnies I guess.:rolleyes:
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Side track from silly thread about car name but ... You state ... " Americans aren't particularly fond of the sport. " You have to by kidding right? I have lived in the USA for many years now and I can tell you, more play people Golf here than I ever saw in UK (and I lived close to Glen Eagles and St. Andrews!) Americans absolutely love golf!
 
Digitalclips said:
Side track from silly thread about car name but ... You state ... " Americans aren't particularly fond of the sport. " You have to by kidding right? I have lived in the USA for many years now and I can tell you, more play people Golf here than I ever saw in UK (and I lived close to Glen Eagles and St. Andrews!) Americans absolutely love golf!
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Americans do love golf, myself included. Golf isn't named after the sport, its named after the jet streams:

Golf - Gulf Stream
Passat - type of wind
Jetta - Jet Stream

Touareg - Tuareg nomadic tribe
Beetle - ??? lol
 
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