Speculation about iCar development is rampant

Speculation about iCar development is rampant
After a recent meeting between Steve Jobs of Apple and Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen, rumors have been circulating that the two companies are working on a so-called iCar that would include some kind of built in iPod media player.

Although the growing market for automotive entertainment devices is expected to be a $50 billion dollar industry by the year 2012, a partnership between the two companies might not make as much sense as it appears on the surface.



In addition to the much longer development cycle for cars vs. iPods, there are many fundamental issues that would need to be addressed for such an arranement to be workable. The automotive industry is a much more traditional business than either computers or consumer electronics. Innovation isn't generally considered as importance as reliability and tradition - values that leave a company like Apple defenseless against their competition. On a related note, unless upgrades were reasonably easy, car buyers could be left with obsolete iPods in their cars for most of the time they're being driven - not particularly helpful for resale value.

Another potential issue is the warranty. Standard automotive warranties run many times the expected life of an iPod, and it could end up being very costly for Apple.

Right now the entire idea is purely speculative, but it does raise an interesting question about the future of consumer electronics in the automotive industry. As portable players become more prevalent, the challenge will be to take advantage of their popularity without succumbing to their many limitations.

Source: PC World

Written by: Rich Fiscus @ 16 Sep 2007 8:40
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  • 21 comments
  • armorthis

    an iCar would just be stupid...

    16.9.2007 08:57 #1

  • AXT

    How about improving the quality of your overpriced products.

    16.9.2007 09:01 #2

  • mododaz

    now i've seen it all

    ihouse
    ibike
    icar
    iplane
    iship
    ican't take it any more

    16.9.2007 10:09 #3

  • H0bbes

    1. iPod, "only" $250

    2. iPhone, "only" $399 after markdown

    3. iCar, ...who knows? knowing Apple, $60,000?

    Burnout fad + corporate greed + bombed product...

    Priceless.

    16.9.2007 10:37 #4

  • PeaInAPod

    Originally posted by mododaz: now i've seen it all

    ihouse
    ibike
    icar
    iplane
    iship
    ican't take it any more
    iJustine, of Revver

    16.9.2007 12:20 #5

  • Razengan

    ICar? Not a Chance...

    ICar Stereo? Hell yeah!!!

    I've been begging for a din size device with an integrated Ipod dock for a long while. If they make it possible to view videos and slideshows from your IPod or Iphone in the car's navigation screen, as well as browse through your music library safely from car stereo-like buttons, then it should be great. Otherwise I don't see it working.

    If they give it an internal HDD it would suck, cause you would still have to take it to your computer to sync and since cars get very hot under the sun the HDD would be fried in no time. An Apple-branded car is the most stupid thing I've heard, they would probably come with something like a click-steering-wheel and no one would buy it. Something like a Volkswagen GTI: IPod Edition with Apple badges and an in dash unit like the one I mentioned earlier makes a lot more sense.

    16.9.2007 13:01 #6

  • BIGnewb

    WOW I HATE APPLE they do all this stupid ishit and its retarded.its like a monopoly of anything to do with audio.screw apple and they're stupid products that are over priced!

    16.9.2007 17:41 #7

  • H0bbes

    Originally posted by Razengan: An Apple-branded car is the most stupid thing I've heard, they would probably come with something like a click-steering-wheel and no one would buy it.LOL!!!! ROFLMAO HAHAHAHA @ Click steering wheel! Good on ya!

    The only thing more redundant would be a Windows car- you'd have to
    hit start before turning it off!! LOL!!!

    16.9.2007 17:45 #8

  • H0bbes

    Here's some funny speculative pictures on PCWorld...

    http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/005306.html

    including this one HAHA!


    16.9.2007 17:50 #9

  • SProdigy

    Originally posted by BIGnewb: WOW I HATE APPLE they do all this stupid ishit and its retarded.its like a monopoly of anything to do with audio.screw apple and they're stupid products that are over priced!When people talk about search, the say "Google". You "Xerox" copies when they need them. When they are looking for an MP3 player, they say "iPod". Such is life.

    16.9.2007 19:59 #10

  • dustin80

    you can get integrated ipod controls from a DIN radio look at Circuit City I ordered the JVC KD-PDR30 works with the remote too. There is a few with Video on display also. Hope this helps.

    17.9.2007 02:55 #11

  • LaBaMaN

    They've already startes with crazy ideas cause they have nothing left to improve on their players... audio and video, what else? however, what's the difference between connecting your mp3 player (maybe an iPod) to yous car stereo and this iCar idea?
    Itīs no very useful in my opinion

    17.9.2007 10:11 #12

  • Razengan

    quote]you can get integrated ipod controls from a DIN radio look at Circuit City I ordered the JVC KD-PDR30Thanks dude, this should be a dream come true. Have you tried it, could you tell us if it's any good?

    17.9.2007 12:32 #13

  • Razengan

    Hey anyone saw the Mitsubishi ICar?

    17.9.2007 12:32 #14

  • Razengan

    Sorry, double-post.

    17.9.2007 12:33 #15

  • dustin80

    Originally posted by Razengan: quote]you can get integrated ipod controls from a DIN radio look at Circuit City I ordered the JVC KD-PDR30Thanks dude, this should be a dream come true. Have you tried it, could you tell us if it's any good?

    yes I got the radio in my car and I really is a great item to have I got it online for $122

    It Has a button that works like the Ipod clicker only diff is you use the knob to change the volume which I like that

    It comes with the ipod cable straight out of the box most want $30-$70 for the cable

    It does not play videos but it displays the song info on the radio.

    if you have any other questions ask and I will try to answer them

    17.9.2007 13:26 #16

  • borhan9

    This is going to be the way things are going i feel it may be good if the make it voice recognition due to the fact that u cant afforfd to shuffle while driving.

    18.9.2007 04:49 #17

  • LaBaMaN

    iDiotic

    18.9.2007 06:43 #18

  • cactikid

    do u not know vw and electrics dont work,sensor problem!

    18.9.2007 13:19 #19

  • hermes_vb

    Originally posted by H0bbes:

    3. iCar, ...who knows? knowing Apple, $60,000?
    And two months after you buy it they will lower the price by $20,000. LOL

    21.9.2007 10:07 #20

  • plazma247

    Does this mean, that i wont be able to open the bonnet and change the battery and will need to send it to an approved apple service center when i cant start it on that first cold morning of the year?

    haha forget VW go and see the nice people at tesla motors and make the world the best car yet.

    o emmisions, cheaper to run petrol and then with the coolest interface ever in a car. now that would be cool.

    http://www.teslamotors.com/

    22.9.2007 05:20 #21

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