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Forget TV, Apple may target cars next

Posted: , by Michael H.

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Forget TV, Apple may target cars next
We know that there will undoubtedly be snide remarks about Apple Maps, but we will continue to remind people that if you expect Apple Maps to forever stay a bad product, you are willingly letting your dislike of Apple blind you to reality. What may not be a good product now can only get better. And, with that in mind, it looks like the next move for Apple may not be into TVs, as many expected, but into the automotive world.

We have already heard Apple talk about the possibility of partnering with car manufacturers in order to integrate Siri into cars, and we have seen the proliferation of "iPod compatible" systems in cars, which have in turn led to "iPhone compatible" systems. Then, after Scott Forstall left the company and Eddy Cue took over, something else interesting happened: Eddy Cue was also named to the board of Ferrari. This is by no means a smoking gun, but the link needn't be all that strong, because we already know that mobile platforms want to be in cars. 

Cars are a blossoming market for mobile platforms, and Apple certainly doesn't want to be left behind. Ford SYNC can connect with iPhone and various Android devices for calling, messaging, and audio streaming. Android has been behind a ton of devices for cars from stereos to navigation systems to entertainment centers that have been shown at CES for the past few years. Although, many of those systems have been non-Google Android, and Google Voice Search/Google Now would be a much better option for cars, but as yet Google hasn't really shown much on this front. 

Apple of course has already shown off the "Eyes Free" plans with Siri as part of the iOS 6 announcement. Apple already has plans to integrate iOS more into cars with partners like BMW, General Motors, Land Rover, Jaguar, Audi, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, and Chrysler. In these cars, the system sounds like it would work much like Ford SYNC, where you'll have a button on the steering wheel which will activate the voice command system (in this case, Siri). And, using your voice, you'll be able to control media playback, as well as make calls and send messages via a Bluetooth linked iPhone. 

It should be interesting to see where this goes, and what other platforms like Windows and BlackBerry have to show for this new space. Apple could certainly offer a pretty impressive set of features if it were to move beyond the "Eyes Free" plan and moved on to simply having iOS installed on touchscreens in cars. Siri could still handle most commands, calling and messaging could be built-in or activated through Bluetooth (because you still want people to have to buy iPhones of course), and with the iTunes App Store there would be plenty of games, and media apps like Netflix or Spotify to keep entertain anyone in the car. 

Sure, maps need to be improved, but Apple is definitely working on that, and any more full-fledged iOS system in a car is likely still at least a year away, if not more. By the time any system like this actually made it into a car, it's not hard to believe that Apple could have made some headway in the effort of improving maps. 

source: AppleInsider

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1. gothicheart posted on 13 Nov 2012, 00:51 11

fix maps first, then get in the automotive business. People driving cars wont rely on a gadget that will make life more complicated for them, that will only get them lost. Rotten apple so greedy, and wants to earn more money when they cant even make quality and innovative products

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4. Commentator posted on 13 Nov 2012, 00:54 5

Yeah, Apple is so terrible! Boo Apple! They're so greedy!

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9. Commentator posted on 13 Nov 2012, 00:59 4

(In case you were wondering, I'm being sarcastic, but at least it will save the effort of several other fandroids' comments which would pretty much state the same things.)

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23. AppleConspiracy posted on 13 Nov 2012, 04:07 1

Agreed.

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29. Reluctant_Human posted on 13 Nov 2012, 10:51 3

The first step to acceptance is admitting the truth. Glad your making progress :)

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31. gothicheart posted on 13 Nov 2012, 13:21 1

that is right, glad that you're man enough to admit the truth, so proud of you man. and we didnt even notice you were being sarcastic ;)

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15. Nathan_ingx posted on 13 Nov 2012, 02:19 5

Here it is...Apple on cars...iDrive!!
Ford, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Audi....++ be-careful, the king of Patents is soon taking over your designs!! Start praying!!

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16. noim1 posted on 13 Nov 2012, 02:29 7

they will soon Sue them for the shape of the car and 4 wheels ....oh no u don't 4 wheels only belong to Apple !!!

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25. andro. posted on 13 Nov 2012, 04:45 2

If they progress with this then peoples cars will only be able to drive between ATM s and apple stores continually. Good for the environment perhaps bad for icons pockets

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26. andro. posted on 13 Nov 2012, 04:55 4

Ifans pockets I meant lol

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2. wendygarett posted on 13 Nov 2012, 00:52 1

i'm ready my installment plan for this babe :)

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7. nobelset posted on 13 Nov 2012, 00:56 7

Cool. Get ready for your insurance too.

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17. bayusuputra posted on 13 Nov 2012, 02:37 9

and a paper map, helmet and another phone with 911 in speed dial..

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18. hiBreed posted on 13 Nov 2012, 03:37 1

you just made my day

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3. Commentator posted on 13 Nov 2012, 00:53 1

Cool beans, although distracted driving may be an issue if teenagers are playing Angry Birds on their cars the whole time... dagnabbit!

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30. laheelahee posted on 13 Nov 2012, 12:28

lol. i love your profile pix!
i just imagine a grumpy grandpa talking :)

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10. TheMan posted on 13 Nov 2012, 01:15 6

I hear Apple has a patent pending for a car design that from overhead looks like a rectangular with rounded corners

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11. PapaSmurf posted on 13 Nov 2012, 01:21

If this is indeed true, $5 says they'll either patent the steering wheel or tires.

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12. tiara6918 posted on 13 Nov 2012, 01:27

iCar=iFlop

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13. Owlet posted on 13 Nov 2012, 02:07

iCar made in China. Sounds awesome!

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14. bachelorrn0121 posted on 13 Nov 2012, 02:19 1

google has it's own car.. "self-driving car"

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19. mercorp posted on 13 Nov 2012, 03:39 1

No thanks.
I will take google's self drive any day.

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20. AppleConspiracy posted on 13 Nov 2012, 03:41

I was telling this two years ago.

At that time, I watched Deutche Welle TV poll that resulted with the fact that more people in Germany like their (i)Phones (!) more than their cars, which is somewhat unprecedented for the state-symbol of automotive industry.

Automotive industry is in cultural crisis as it lost its significance. Except trying to ride on a wave of eco-movements, they are trying to borrow and implement mobile/information tech in cars but it's really not percievable by our culture.

Then I realised - the car waits for it to be reimagined. Then I naturally connected the conclusion with Apple, and then I heard Steve Jobs was actually planning to make Apple car.

However, to do this, car must stop being a car. It must become a gadget.

It can be only done with attaching a signifier (like Apple logo) and design approach that doesn't follow usual automotive rules.

Well, since everyone is not doing anything about that, I presume Apple will take this opportunity and become an industry leader - again. BMW could actually run for it's money just like Nokia now does, all because of Apple. It's a conspiracy allright, because I cannot believe the rest of the industry is so stupid.

Anyhow, since there is not Steve Jobs around, it could be proven as an epic failure, especially because nowadays Apple loses their significance and cult value. That is, of course, if they decide to enter this business at all.

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21. hiBreed posted on 13 Nov 2012, 03:44

and you have to swipe the windshield to turn right, so i hear /s

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22. hiBreed posted on 13 Nov 2012, 03:46

it would be called the iCar or iMobile and since apple is so premium, i woundn't expect anything less than $3m. seriously, apple has lost all sense of vision

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24. gothicheart posted on 13 Nov 2012, 04:29

how can this post be true, when Nokia already came to an agreement with Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and VW to provide in-car apps and greater smartphone integration tech
http://conversations.nokia.com/2012/09/28/top-auto-brands-turn-to-nokia-for-location-content/

and as for the amazing innovation in Apple, meet the Twingo Nokia Car... And the year that Nokia thought about this...2007, tsk tsk

http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2007/10/04/nokia-and-renault-to-sell-twingo-nokia-cars/

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27. tigermcm posted on 13 Nov 2012, 07:06

Scion has the iQ.......they might want to change the name before they get sued

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28. rusticguy posted on 13 Nov 2012, 09:36

Apple is just playing catching up everywhere .. sadly their flock would call this innovatiojn :)

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