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Apple targets car production by 2024, eyes ‘next level’ battery tech: sources

reuters.com

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Re: Apple targets car production by 2024, eyes ‘next level’ battery tech: sources

#81
post #67

This is starting to make increasingly more sense even though Apple making a car seemed laughable a few years ago. Apple is fundamentally now a company that can move immense amounts of capital into new industries with the underlying ethos of user experience. Apple Card was perhaps a dipping of the toes moment. In theory, Tesla shouldn't be worth what it is because the tech behind it is increasingly getting commoditize…

Apple is no better than Qt in this space - and it will only make electronics - assembly will still be on Ford/GM - Tesla's revolution is a more automated assembly.

Don't know why you're being downvoted. Musk has consistently said their main goal is to become the most advanced manufacturer in the world. Building the machine that builds the machine is what they're aiming for.

Re: Apple targets car production by 2024, eyes ‘next level’ battery tech: sources

#82

This would be great if the consumer cost is competitive. Right now you have to spend almost $40k to get over 200mi of range it seems, which is still too expensive for most people.

Apple car would probably start at more than 40k...

Re: Apple targets car production by 2024, eyes ‘next level’ battery tech: sources

#83
post #6

The Tesla Model 3 already embodies the minimalism, software focus, and vertical integration that have driven Apple's success in the phone market. Right down to the custom SoC and capacitive touchscreen in lieu of buttons. I'm really curious what Apple's differentiators will be. Also, 2024 still seems aggressive to deploy self-driving for real.

Having recently sold my Tesla Model 3 I can say there is a lot to be desired with that car. The biggest lesson from Tesla is that cars are not cellphones. Having one display off to the side, without buttons, that does everything is an awful experience in a car. I hope that Apple learns that lesson. I think if they had gone first they might have made that mistake too, but now that it's been tried they can find interes…

Fwiw I love nothing being in the way of me and the road except the wheel.

I wouldn't have minded a HUD that I could turn on and off though.

Re: Apple targets car production by 2024, eyes ‘next level’ battery tech: sources

#84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But those would be terrible car companies to buy imo.

why? they have the experience manufacturing huge numbers of vehicles and apple has the experience manufacturing products with good experience and build quality. Get gm to build the drivetrain and the body to apple spec, apple builds the interior themselves.

Why does Apple want the UAW contracts that come with any of the Big 3?

Tesla showed the preferable model (from the corporate perspective). Buy the factory (NUMMI), hire some of the ex-UAW workers, and go from there. They don't need the whole hog.

Plus if Apple really wants GM drivetrains, they can just buy crates them. GM's not going to turn down sales of any kind in this climate.

Re: Apple targets car production by 2024, eyes ‘next level’ battery tech: sources

#86
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>I'm really curious what Apple's differentiators will be. There's room for more than one car company like this. If Apple brings high quality, tight fit and finish, elegant design, software focus, vertical integration (including their new M1 processor tech), logistics support (charging station network, maintenance, etc), and "next-level batteries" to the mix, then I'm sure they'll find space in the market. If Apple ca…

>logistics support (charging station network, maintenance, etc) Honestly, if Apple bought out the existing non-Tesla charging networks and dedicated even a sliver of their UX talent to improving the charging experience, they would really push things forward. This is, of course, assuming that buying the charging networks would make it past the anti-trust people.

> even a sliver of their UX talent to improving the charging experience

Would I have to flip my iCar over and plug into the bottom center?

Re: Apple targets car production by 2024, eyes ‘next level’ battery tech: sources

#87
post #40

You can only use iFuel energy cell with your iCar. And of course you can't use anything but iTires with it and navigate with anything but iNavigator monitored by our iAI. Have a nice day and enjoy your iRide.

Also you can only take your car to the Genius Bar, which has a three week wait time.

See also: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13990266.

Re: Apple targets car production by 2024, eyes ‘next level’ battery tech: sources

#88
post #43

This is starting to make increasingly more sense even though Apple making a car seemed laughable a few years ago. Apple is fundamentally now a company that can move immense amounts of capital into new industries with the underlying ethos of user experience. Apple Card was perhaps a dipping of the toes moment. In theory, Tesla shouldn't be worth what it is because the tech behind it is increasingly getting commoditize…

> Apple is fundamentally now a company that can move immense amounts of capital into new industries with the underlying ethos of user experience. Also: insane supply-chain management chops, a skill that is more and more transferable - especially for electric cars.

But Apple have outsourced all their manufacturing. That, as we've seen in Tesla's struggles, is a huge component of making a successful product. Agree with the vertical integration aspect + nearly unlimited capital.

Re: Apple targets car production by 2024, eyes ‘next level’ battery tech: sources

#89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having recently sold my Tesla Model 3 I can say there is a lot to be desired with that car. The biggest lesson from Tesla is that cars are not cellphones. Having one display off to the side, without buttons, that does everything is an awful experience in a car. I hope that Apple learns that lesson. I think if they had gone first they might have made that mistake too, but now that it's been tried they can find interes…

> Having one display off to the side, without buttons, that does everything is an awful experience in a car I have to strongly disagree with this. The touchscreen is great for the vast majority of things it replaces. The only physical controls I ever miss are for temperature (which is a very minor complaint) and windshield wipers (though I would also accept auto wipers that actually work). I do think the UI smoothnes…

Man I don’t drive with a passenger enough to care about ui animations on my car. I just want to set the fan speed and move on... preferably without looking.

Re: Apple targets car production by 2024, eyes ‘next level’ battery tech: sources

#90

How would one go from making no cars at all, not even parts, to making them?

The criticism Tesla had initially was that they didn’t outsource their production to companies like Magna, but instead do it in-house. I think Apple will outsource it, although the article did say talks with Magna fell through. Dyson seems like it has the know how to do production in-house, but their car project failed.

Tesla's contracted a lot of work to Lotus
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