Apple Launches CarPlay At Geneva Show 264
An anonymous reader writes "Apple announced today a system called CarPlay, which integrates your iPhone with your car, with Siri voice control. CarPlay will be offered in Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo vehicles this year, and others 'down the road.' From the press release: 'CarPlay makes driving directions more intuitive by working with Maps to anticipate destinations based on recent trips via contacts, emails or texts, and provides routing instructions, traffic conditions and ETA. You can also simply ask Siri and receive spoken turn-by-turn directions, along with Maps, which will appear on your car’s built-in display.'
Innovation? (Score:5, Insightful)
Apple seems to have invented what a lot of people have been using for years - a head unit with MirrorLink capability. How come it is suddenly wonderful?
Re: (Score:3)
and don't even thing about roaming and yes fringe (Score:2)
fringe roaming as well where you don't have to leave the USA but you do pay the $20 a meg fee.
Re:Innovation? (Score:5, Insightful)
Innovation != Invention
So yes, Apple innovates. They innovate on the execution of ideas, rather than invent new ones.
Re:Innovation? (Score:5, Informative)
Apple seems to have invented what a lot of people have been using for years - a head unit with MirrorLink capability. How come it is suddenly wonderful?
Eh, there's an argument for functionality, but on a technical level, it's actually pretty cool. It's actually a second screen capability, not a mirroring capability. Apps using the API get to use the car display as a discreet second display, rendering whatever content they want dedicated to that display.
Re: (Score:3)
How widely supported is MirrorLink by handset makers?
The MirrorLink consortium list of smartphones only returns one Samsung and a whole lot of Nokia and Sony models.
How about car makers? The way auto makers integrate car functionality into infotainment units makes it complicated-to-impossible to add aftermarket units to cars. Aftermarket head units aren't good enough.
Personally, I'm a little disappointed with Apple's system. First, it's not wireless, and second, it doesn't give me the ability to see arbi
Re: (Score:2)
I'm a big iPhone phone, but not always a big fan of Apple's control-minded mindset.
I'm worried that they will act as gate-keeper and charge admission to "CarPlay", and not just some kind of secondary, iTunes-store fee, but a very high fee that they can extract from app vendors as protection from upstarts that offer competing services.
Apple's come-one-come-all app store has become cluttered and clean slate like the car dash offers them an opportunity to create a premium space that they can sell access to as
Re: (Score:2)
Just like 9.7" smartphones were suddenly called "tablets" and were equally wonderful.
You couldn't use them to make a phone-call, though.
Re: Innovation? (Score:2)
Re:Innovation? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Innovation? (Score:4, Insightful)
Ironic, considering what a pain in the ass it is to get music onto an iPod.
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Innovation? (Score:5, Informative)
Please describe how it is a pain in the ass
In a Windows context, pre-iPod MP3 players mounted as a drive letter and simply allowed you to drag over a file structure and related files, which were mirrored on the player.
iTunes required you to recreate this structure, renamed and, in some cases, moved all your files - And don't get me started on iTunes inability to list files based on filename. If you didn't have the 'title' tagged correctly in the MP3 file you were S.O.L.
Re: (Score:2, Interesting)
Again, the average person NEVER had their stuff organized to begin with. Or didn't have any music ripped. Need we remind you the Disney-Apple controversy over "Rip. Mix. Burn." ??
Even I was (and still am) very happy iTunes organizes my music. I never for the life of me understood why "Copy and organize my Music" isn't a default option in Windows as it is on the Mac.
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
And yet, this was considered much less convenient than having your music library in one program that had things more or less organised, and allowed you to sync based on THAT structure rather than a directory structure. A directory structure is pleasantly factual--a band has albums has songs--but lacks any sort of filtering structure that adds in meta-data like song rating, last played date, added-to-library date, genre, etc. People just wanted all of the Jazz on their iPod, or just all the songs that they r
Re: (Score:3)
Back when I fixed computers for the public I used to see a lot of badly organized iTunes libraries. Part of the problem was duff data from Gracenote/CDDB or whatever provider they use. Double albums and compilations were the most problematic, since apparently at the time no-one could agree on a format for tagging those. If course if you bought your music from Apple it was okay, but most people had lots of CDs to rip. Apparently most users didn't know how to fix the problems either.
iTunes was fine if you use
they didn't reveal a head unit with mirroring (Score:2)
Not at all. They didn't reveal any hardware.
They revealed SOFTWARE that is smart enough to allow car manufacturers to leverage iOS with crap hardware that only has to stream video and return touch coordinates through some simple APIs.
It's cool stuff. It should have been pushed out 2 yrs ago, but I don't think anyone else is doing this right now.
Re: (Score:2)
And if they do a good job, they will push competition. This seems like a common theme with Apple. They come into a fractured mess of a product sector and make a good show of it. This is good news, car infotainment is terrible.
Plus maybe cars will be able to launch actual angry birds at each other to express road rage.
Re:Innovation? (Score:4, Informative)
Nope, the early MP3 players were custom software utilities.
Rio PMP - you needed to use their software and the parallel port adapter to load MP3s onto the internal storage, or almost-like-SmartMedia-but-not-quite external storage.
Nomad Jukebox - USB 1.1, requires custom driver and custom software application to load. "Explorer" functionality was provided by a third party app you installed.
The later MP3 players started using USB MSC.
Either way, loading a Nomad over USB 1.1 was a several-hour-long wait provided the relatively crappy software itself didn't crap out midway through.
USB 2.0 was just wrapping up when the iPod came out in 2001, it wouldn't be in most new PCs until a couple of years later. In the meantime, Firewire was the fastest way to load up the iPod storage with stuff - taking minutes rather than hours.
Oh, did I ever mention that if your ID3 tags were just slightly out of place (two similar but not exact entries in a field like artist or album) on the Nomad, you got very strange things, including oddball crashes and hangs? I got to learn a very nice ID3 bulk tag editor to fix them so the Nomad would actually work properly. iTunes and such handled them properly and wrote the database properly.
Those were the early MP3 players.
So will it be patchable through your phone? (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
I'm just waiting for Clippy to pop up and say "I see you're having an accident. Would you like me to play a Funeral Dirge?"
Clippy? (Score:2)
I'm just waiting for Clippy to pop up and say "I see you're having an accident. Would you like me to play a Funeral Dirge?"
On an Apple product? Seems unlikely... Perhaps on some other product [wikipedia.org].
Re: (Score:2)
I've got a Mac with Windows 7, XP, KDE and OS X on it. No problemo.
Gets a little confusing at times but it's very useful.
Re: (Score:2)
Mhh how about Apple changing the iPhone connector once more? Yehaaaw your Mercedes is now obsolete lol. Let's do it, "it's good for the economy" (TM).
Depends how they sync. If it's over USB, there are adapters. If it's over Bluetooth... it should still work.
Re: So will it be patchable through your phone? (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
It's actually worse than that because the software is Apple proprietary. In the past they have dropped backwards compatibility with things like HiFi units and cars with iPod docks after a few years. At least with MirrorLink the protocol should be supported indefinitely.
Re: (Score:2)
Mhh how about Apple changing the iPhone connector once more? Yehaaaw your Mercedes is now obsolete lol. Let's do it, "it's good for the economy" (TM).
Not necessarily - the 2012 VW Jetta we bought came with an "iPod/iPhone connector" in the glovebox, which consists of a proprietary port and a dongle for the device itself; you can order dongles w/ different iConnectors from VW.
Of course, it begs the question: Who the hell puts their phone in the glovebox every time they get in the car, especially when said car also has a Bluetooth module?
The sad part, IMO? (Score:2)
The 3 auto makers offering it first are all high-end luxury brands. That means the "early adopters" are the same people who have plenty of disposable income to have already purchased superior options.
(Personally, if I had they money to be driving around a Ferrari, I would already have a really nice custom stereo system in it, which would surely have a dedicated GPS system in it. Why get stuck in a situation where you can't find some place you need to get to, just because you accidentally left your phone at
Re: (Score:2)
The 3 auto makers offering it first are all high-end luxury brands.
Well that's this week. Other manufacturers may premiere later. Having it in the car is another story. Who knows, GM might actually have it in their cars before these three.
It's not either/or (Score:5, Informative)
The 3 auto makers offering it first are all high-end luxury brands.
Volvo cars aren't exactly priced in the stratosphere. Even their expensive offerings are still FAR cheaper than those from Mercedes and Ferrari. Volvo makes nice cars but they are mostly at the lower end of the luxury segment if you consider them a luxury vehicle at all.
Personally, if I had they money to be driving around a Ferrari, I would already have a really nice custom stereo system in it, which would surely have a dedicated GPS system in it.
A reasonable thing to do but why not have the option of layering on Siri or similar Android services in addition? I'd rather have the consumer electronics stuff handled by a consumer electronics company whenever possible. I have a GPS in my truck but it is woefully out of date, expensive and the graphics pretty much suck. Car companies are REALLY bad at updating firmware and they don't do enough product volume to get costs down to reasonable levels. When possible it makes a lot more sense to use something like a smartphone to handle many of these tasks.
(Again, the wealthy have the means to pay for "concierge" services by phone where they can make requests of a live operator who answers. Why settle for an automated system like Siri?)
Just because you have a bit more cash doesn't mean you want to spend it needlessly. Concierge services are expensive and most people who can afford a nice luxury vehicle didn't get their money by being frivolous with their cash. It's not an either/or proposition either. Personally I'd be more likely to use Siri (even with its deficiencies) than some high priced live service even if I had the money just because it would probably be an occasional use thing with me.
Re: (Score:2)
Manufacturers are slowly getting better. Toyota's system is quite cheap and they give you 8 years of free map updates. Obviously the graphics will date quickly and there is a lot of crap like a weather app and twitter app, but it isn't nearly as bad as it used to be where your £2500 system would be a brick within a couple of years.
Re: (Score:2)
Manufacturers are slowly getting better.
Granted but MUCH too slowly. I think what they really need to do is collaborate with companies like Apple and Google and Microsoft on some standard interfaces to let the companies that do consumer electronics well (not the car companies) take care of that piece of the puzzle. Right now they provide an aux port and some bluetooth and claim that they have iPod integration. It's pathetic, expensive and becomes obsolete almost immediately. There is no reason I shouldn't be able to send weather or map data t
Re: (Score:3)
Race cars (and Ferraris) shouldn't have anything in/on them that doesn't make them go faster. No stereo, no passenger seat, no carpet.
Anybody who owns a Ferrari and gives any thought to the stereo is a pretentious wanker.
If I had the funds to buy a new Ferrari, I'd buy a top alcohol car instead.
Lock in (Score:4, Interesting)
I wouldn't buy a car that has this unless it also works with other phones.
Re: (Score:2)
I wouldn't buy this at all
'CarPlay makes driving directions more intuitive by working with Maps to anticipate destinations based on recent trips via contacts, emails or texts, and provides routing instructions, traffic conditions and ETA. You can also simply ask Siri and receive spoken turn-by-turn directions, along with Maps, which will appear on your carâ(TM)s built-in display.'
I'm not interested in trading privacy for a gimmick.
Re: (Score:2)
Um, that's just a head unit that runs android. Entirely different than having ur car hooked into your phone with all your info, email, web, msgs, updates, data connection, high end processor, photos, media content, incoming calls, etc...with an OEM warranty and blessing.
I'm an apple fan and this is meh. (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
I feel the same way. I think it has potential but it depends on how easy/hard Apple makes for developers to get their apps to work on the dash.
I think a more elegant solution would have been airplay mirroring; I find it hard to believe there isn't a remote display touch-enablement built into the protocol, and it would have put everything on the in-dash display.
There's probably some halfway legitimate arguments to be made for the "separate display" concept, either from an orientation/aspect ratio or safety
Re: (Score:2)
I feel the same way. I think it has potential but it depends on how easy/hard Apple makes for developers to get their apps to work on the dash.
As far as I can see, this isn't supported. It's simply a way of accessing certain built in apps.
Mistress (Score:3)
Siri: "I see that you have received a text from Ms. Longlegs with the address for the Super 8 motel, would you like directions?"
Siri: "I noticed that your most frequent destination is: Woody's Rub and Tug, would you like directions? Shall I make a reservation?"
So close, and yet so far (Score:2)
Of all the really ass-backwards, poorly performing parts of a modern automobile, the head unit has got to be one of the absolute worst. It requires a minimal, simple interface, and the ability to multi-task effectively. Even the aftermarket pieces which try to do a better job end up sucking horribly. Of all things that matter, Apple (I grudgingly admit) probably has the best chance to solve. MS sure isn't going to get it right (they've tried, and failed, no suprise). And most of the current miscarriages of
Tesla (Score:3)
Of all things that matter, Apple (I grudgingly admit) probably has the best chance to solve
Actually after sitting in a Model S, I'd say Tesla is probably furthest along the right track. They seem to be the only car company that has figured out how to update firmware and the 17" screen they use makes a LOT more sense than most of the other systems I've seen. A little 6" screen seems a bit out of date and certainly can't display much. Not saying Tesla has everything perfect but its the most innovative system I've seen. Certainly more interesting than tighter iPhone integration.
Re: (Score:2)
Of all the really ass-backwards, poorly performing parts of a modern automobile, the head unit has got to be one of the absolute worst. It requires a minimal, simple interface, and the ability to multi-task effectively. Even the aftermarket pieces which try to do a better job end up sucking horribly. Of all things that matter, Apple (I grudgingly admit) probably has the best chance to solve.
I hate touchscreen interfaces for car stereos - there's no way to know what you're doing unless you physically look at the screen, which, unless you happen to be a chameleon, makes it really, really hard to watch where you happen to be piloting your 2,500 lb Death Machine at the moment.
Really makes me miss the stereo in my 1981 GMC - big knobs and heavy-duty mechanical switches. Aside from knowing which station I was tuning in with a touch, there was something particularly satisfying about the loud Ka-CHUNK
Re: (Score:2)
That's why there's typically car stereo controls on the steering wheel.
my car (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Part of me wonders why this is noticeably better than bluetooth integration. I mean, yes, a steering wheel button is nice, but with my iPhone in the cradle and the head unit set to bt audio, I do just about all this stuff already (though with Waze for mapping, Pandora for streaming music, Google for searching, etc). What would be far better is a stand-alone unit which can pair with your phone to *expand* the car audio - like direct access to mobile device content, embedded tethering for data, and authentic
Features (Score:2)
From TechCrunch: [techcrunch.com]
Tell me again how this is somehow better than the Bluetooth connection everybody is using now?
Re: (Score:2)
As opposed to every other navigation system, some of which even make you use a mouse-type controller on the dash to browse through the myriad of available controls.
Re: (Score:2)
Oh the humanity. Having to hold a button for a second with your thumb. Without having to take it off the wheel. At all.
So? It can still be easily made to be just pressed instead of being held. The question is only of which one provides better usability and safety.
Re: (Score:2)
And I'm sure they tried both. Perhaps drivers got annoyed when they got Siri speaking when they accidentally hit the button whilst turning the wheel.
Re: (Score:2)
Re:darn. (Score:4, Informative)
Oh the humanity. Having to hold a button for a second with your thumb. Without having to take it off the wheel. At all.
.
You might be surprised as to how much "road attention" you lose performing such a simple maneuver. Anecdotally, I once totaled a Buick because I took my eyes off the road for .5 seconds to check the clock. Long story (chock full of statistics and more anecdotes) short, while your brain is on pause waiting for Siri to respond to that button hold, it's not paying full attention to the task at hand, namely operating a ton-and-a-half of steel and glass at high rates of speed.
As opposed to every other navigation system...
Nonsense hyperbole, and smacks loudly of fanboy-ism.
My wife's VW has a single button on the steering wheel that activates the voice command system, and it's the same system VW has been using for half a decade. Oh, and BTW, you only have to press the button, not hold it. Works as well as one would expect a voice command system to. And I know VW can't be the only one with such a simple interface - Ford's Sync [ford.com] immediately comes to mind.
Re: (Score:2)
You might be surprised as to how much "road attention" you lose performing such a simple maneuver.
Yes I would be surprised. And I wouldn't take your word for it. Especially as you example is of taking your eyes off the road, not a long press of a button that is already at your fingertip.
Re:darn. (Score:4, Informative)
You might be surprised as to how much "road attention" you lose performing such a simple maneuver.
Yes I would be surprised. And I wouldn't take your word for it. Especially as you example is of taking your eyes off the road, not a long press of a button that is already at your fingertip.
Yea, too bad there's not a plethora of existing studies that show how non-visual distractions are just as bad (if not worse, in some cases) as vision-based ones, huh?
http://www.scientificamerican.... [scientificamerican.com]
http://www.businessinsider.com... [businessinsider.com]
http://mentalhealth.about.com/... [about.com]
http://www.motherjones.com/kev... [motherjones.com]
Re: (Score:2)
All of which refer to talking to devices, not a long press of a button. Which are certainly relevant to the question of using Siri for various tasks, but has nothing to do with long/short presses on a button.
Re: (Score:2)
We had a rental car with Ford Sync for two weeks. It's nothing like simple or intuitive. I write software for a living, and I can't imagine what went through the Sync developers' heads. It's a colossal of usability, speed, efficiency, intuition, and functionality. While Ford is dropping Microsoft, they can't replace it too soon. I need a new car, and I explicitly won't get anything with Ford Sync or the BMW iDrive which is less crappy, but still junk but easier to use.
Re: (Score:2)
My point was to provide a counter-point to OP's statement that " every [non-Apple] navigation system" lacks a simple, steering-wheel based activation system for voice controls.
YMMV when it comes to how well the system works for you, although admittedly you are not the first person I've heard complain about Sync.
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
Well, you could just say "OK Google". Oh wait
Re: (Score:2)
Didnt apple make a big fuss about google using the term "appstore"? so google changes the name to "googleplay" Now Apple decides to use the term "carplay"??? Let me guess, now a new lawsuit on google for using the word "play"
Can't argue you could confuse an "appstore" style online software download site with a car navigation system though. Apple at least had a smidgen of a legal argument over "appstore".
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Frankly I dont see how you could confuse "appstore" as there are hundreds of "appstores" out there
All of them following the Apple App Store. There were other web-sites where you could buy and download software earlier, but they weren't called App Stores.
Re: (Score:2)
Hilarious you made me laugh mod up Funny.but no mod points
Re:Apple Maps! (Score:4, Informative)
Perhaps in the past Apple Maps was bad.
In the last couple of months I have been using Apple Maps and there haven't been any major problems I have noticed.
It is nice to be able to use Siri to find things while I am whizzing along in places I am unfamiliar with.
Turn by turn has been accurate in my area at least.
Re: (Score:3)
Did I say adequate?
Seems to be the same as Google Maps roughly so perhaps not the same as everyone else 5 years ago. Basically the same as other options currently would be more accurate. unless all options are basically technologically backward by 5 years.
Did I say I was using Maps where I normally go?
I haven't had problems with Maps being wonky in places I don't normally go. Haven't missed a step and that is all anyone can hope unless I expect Maps to teleport me to where I want to go. That would be a nice
Re: (Score:2)
Is Apple Maps only to where everyone else was 5 years ago?
Is Google Maps only to where everyone else was 5 years ago?
I think the main complaint about Apple maps was that it had abysmal accuracy. This is no longer the case is my point.
As to technology being old. I guess all this tech is so 2009, if one says Apple's tech which does the same thing as Google Maps is backward. Perhaps there has been pretty much zero innovation in the intervening time.
So yes I suppose Current mapping technology is backward.
Re:Apple Maps! (Score:4, Informative)
It took a lot less time for Apple to go from 'pretty crap' to 'usably good'.
I tend to use Apple's maps and, from the statistics, so do most people. Google Maps hasn't been downloaded on that many iOS devices compared to the number that are running a version with Apple's maps. The usage data is fairly clear.
But in any case, it wasn't a play for dominance. Apple needs a built-in solution that is full-featured with turn-by-turn instructions and the like, and Google wouldn't give them that, so they made their own. Now Apple can say that they have a map application on their phone and it does the things that you would expect.
Re: (Score:2)
"Technology is ruining our lives."
Says the AC who is using technology to post on an article about technology on a technology geek site hahahaha
Re: (Score:2)
Exactly, his life has been ruined. He's posting on /., how much worse can he get?
Re:Here are 2 reasons this is crap (Score:5, Insightful)
First off all, most of the people who hate Apple are right here on your favorite website. Not exactly Ferrari / Volvo / Mercedes big customers.
Second of all, lots of people like (or at least tolerate) the Apple brand. Makes more sense than Ford attaching themselves to Microsoft.....
I think it's a dumb idea (and I have a lot of Apple hardware and software). I like my cars like I like my women - simple, easy to fix and not associated with a lot of proprietary add on junk that will out date in a couple of years. Upgrades are hell.
But that's just me.
Re: (Score:2)
>> I like my cars like I like my women...
Ready to go home with me and geared up to drive both ways... and not associated with a lot of proprietary add on junk that will out date in a couple of years
apple leading the way (Score:2)
don't u think that now that apple has car companies building standardized dumb consoles calling their apis that it will build momentum that will pave the way for a standard that others can follow?
it won't take but a few lines of code for manufacturers to call a google or msft api instead of an apple api, and these companies will be smart to configure their os in the car software to drive the same dumb hardware.
Re: Not exactly Ferrari / Volvo / Mercedes big cu (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
1) Because it had cosmetic issues (in USA anyway, I'm aware of the bad directions in Japan, etc) in the past, it is forever damned?
2) That's why their sales keep going down, right? And that's why they completely lose the user satisfaction surveys. Why, the iPads only came in on the #1 spot in South Korea in terms of user satisfaction. On Samsung's home turf... Oh my.
Re: (Score:2)
1. Apple maps is a joke and completely useless
The launch of iMaps was botched and it still has a ways to go, but it's not completely useless. The alternative for in-car navigation was it is may never be updated if the owner decides not to fork over money to buy a new navigation DVD.
2. considering how many people hate Apple, they're losing prospective customers for a $60,000 car for example because of one tiny feature.
You mean considering how many slashdot geeks hate Apple don't you? The general public likes Apple. Also, you are aware that many other car manufacturers are getting on board, right? It's the same as iPod integration: many of them offer it today, and there have not been ri
Re: (Score:2)
1. Apple maps is a joke and completely useless
The launch of iMaps was botched and it still has a ways to go, but it's not completely useless. The alternative for in-car navigation was it is may never be updated if the owner decides not to fork over money to buy a new navigation DVD.
The alternative alternative would be people using Google Maps and/or Navigation, tying into the cars existing Bluetooth/aux in port, and not driving down private driveways insisting "this is the best route to Roundtop Mountain!!!" [yahoo.com]
2. considering how many people hate Apple, they're losing prospective customers for a $60,000 car for example because of one tiny feature.
You mean considering how many slashdot geeks hate Apple don't you? The general public likes Apple.
That sounds like fanboy talk to me. Corporate executives, government employees, and any other high-powered types who are already tied deeply to Blackberry might not care to pay extra for a feature they'll never use. How many people does Google employ? I bet they wouldn't care much
Re: (Score:3)
The alternative alternative would be people using Google Maps and/or Navigation, tying into the cars existing Bluetooth/aux in port, and not driving down private driveways insisting "this is the best route to Roundtop Mountain!!!"
There has never been a sat-nav product ever that didn't have examples of routes that are impossible in the real world. None. And certainly not Google Maps. Heck Garmin has been doing this longer than most, and you still get impossible routes on their sat-navs.
Re: (Score:2)
The alternative alternative would be people using Google Maps and/or Navigation, tying into the cars existing Bluetooth/aux in port, and not driving down private driveways insisting "this is the best route to Roundtop Mountain!!!"
There has never been a sat-nav product ever that didn't have examples of routes that are impossible in the real world. None. And certainly not Google Maps. Heck Garmin has been doing this longer than most, and you still get impossible routes on their sat-navs.
So then, I guess the difference is between Apple and Google Maps users, in that the Google users are smart enough to know that signs that say things like "Private Drive," "Dead End," or "No Trespassing" actually mean something?
Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded. (Score:5, Interesting)
1. Apple maps is a joke and completely useless
Based on what? Yeah they flubbed the roll out but I've used it since and it mostly works fine. I'm guessing you are one of those people who read all the bad press and presumed that Apple would never fix the problem. Guess what? Over over 30 million [theguardian.com] people use Apple Maps mostly without problems. Apple Maps is certainly not a joke and anything but "completely useless". Your assertion is mostly without any basis to support it.
2. considering how many people hate Apple, they're losing prospective customers for a $60,000 car for example because of one tiny feature.
Apple sells millions of devices a year and you think people "hate Apple"? Have you actually been to an Apple store lately? They are packed. Nobody buys Apple products because they have to. They are all discretionary purchases and people buy Apple's gear because they... gasp, LIKE the products. Who knew?
Maybe YOU don't like Apple but out here in the real world Apple is wildly popular.
Re: (Score:2)
iPhones are disproportionately represented among those that make $100k/year and up. If you know someone that makes a lot of money, you will be right most of the time if you guess that they've got an iPhone in their pocket. You may be wrong as much as 20% of the time, but considering the marketshare numbers for Android, that's actually pretty counter-intuitive.
Re: (Score:2)
There is one here.
I would never ever buy a car with apple in the dash, but I can afford these cars.
About 6/10 in my office has android phones, 2/10 has windows phones and the rest are on iphones. This is a bank in a country where iphone adoption is considered very high.
So unless they make it work with other devices, they lost a bunch of other potential customers that I know of too.
Re: Here are 2 reasons this is crap (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
If it supports full BT 4.0 and all the relevant protocols, and none of the features in the dash will refuse to run because the phone is unsupported then I guess there won't be much complaining.
Considering how apple has handled open standards in the past, I suspect this will not be the case though.
But we'll see soon.
Re: (Score:2)
Considering how apple has handled open standards in the past, I suspect this will not be the case though.
Even if your viewpoint were right, Apple aren't making the cars. If you think Apple can dictate to Ferrari what other interfaces are in the car besides CarPlay, I think you might be entering conspiracy theory land.
Re: (Score:3)
I keep saying apple doesn't so much innovate as they take things that are already there, make them more appealing to consumers, and rake in profits.
I don't know why everyone says Apple needs to innovate they are doing fine without innovation really. Have been since Jobs went to Xerox-Parc and "innovated" the GUI and mouse for the first Mac.
Seeing how to re-package things that will make big time Money has become what Apple is really good at.
Re: (Score:2)
So how wildly popular and successful were they when Bill Gates had to loan them several hundred million to keep them as a competition? Seems like you are forgetting the years of PowerPC clones and when Steve was fired.
Re: (Score:2)
Not forgetting anything.
Apple struggled to recover from the onslaught of the more open PC market.
They removed Steve and brought in a corporate guy to remediate the situation.
Apple declined much more and they licensed their OS in hopes of turning things around which canibalized their sales.
They brought Steve Jobs back he has some more ideas after being out in the woods starting Next and Pixar.
They closed their OS licensing and shifted to consumer products instead of computers.
Apple has been on an upward traj
Re: (Score:2)
So what exactly was it that sent them to near bankruptcy in that era? successful innovation? or a lack thereof?
Re: (Score:2)
I don't recall Apple being near bankruptcy? They were a marginalized computer company with 15 billion in cash reserves around 1996 if I recall correctly. At the time they were still profitable, but they were continuing to lose market share. Also, Apple was primarily a computer company struggling to remain relevant and not the diverse electronics powerhouse the company is today. It took the return of Steve jobs and a refocusing on a different model to change Apples trajectory.
I couldn't say if Apples decline
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
"I don't know why everyone says Apple needs to innovate they are doing fine without innovation really. Have been since Jobs went to Xerox-Parc and "innovated" the GUI and mouse for the first Mac."
Except for when they weren't doing just fine and were teetering on bankruptcy. People saying Apple needs to innovate are seeing the writing on the wall that once iPhones/iPads become stagnant like iPods and OS 9 did they will fail and fall quickly.
I was responding to a specific sentence. Reading that sentence and
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
I'm pretty sure Lexus already has the patent on that. At least, that's what it feels like dealing with Lexus drivers sometimes...
Re: (Score:3)
How can you tell? every lexus I see is driving 3 inches from my bumper while I am driving in the SLOW LANE.
Re: (Score:3)
I hate to break it to you, but Google has shitty maps in areas too. Apple may be worse, but its mostly outlier cases (like yours). And by outlier I mean every rural area in the country and a bunch of populated areas. If I had a dime for every time Google routed me in a shitty, misdirected, or simply impossible way I would be the one paying for dinner when Sergey and I went out. I use Waze, which is somewhere between Google and Apple, but I can at least edit the map when I find a f*ed up area, and when it te
Re: (Score:2)
The big advantage of this system is getting rid of the GPS DVDs, which guarantee your data will be out of date (or expensive to replace).