"When it comes to actually making cars, there is no reason to assume that Apple, with no experience, will suddenly do a better job than General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota, or Hyundai," Lutz said.
Same was said about music players, cellphones, and tablets.
This guy doesn't know Apple very well.
The difference being that all those products sucked before Apple came into the market.
The greatest arrogance stupidity in his comments -- and in those of some commenters here -- is the assumption that Apple will be stupid enough to walk into a "gigantic money pit.
Get real.
Yea because everyone else that walks into a money pit does so purposely.
The difference being that all those products sucked before Apple came into the market.
While the automobile has greatly evolved in the last hundred years, many aspects remain absolutely terrible. The user interface comes to mind. Have you ever tried to use the "infotainment" system on a modern car? They are atrocious, both hardware and software. I've heard of people (technologically inclined ones at that) intentionally delaying the purchase of a new car just to avoid dealing with these systems. And of course, any such technology is years outdated by the time it appears in a new car, and once you've bought the car there is no practical and economical way to keep it up to date.
I drove a late model Ford Focus recently, equipped with their Sync system, and it was atrocious. Ridiculously convoluted, deeply nested menus, illogically organized, and with inconsistent navigation practices. The hardware controls were equally poor, right down to the idiotic decision to place volume controls on the right side of the steering wheel instead of the left. Everything about the man-machine interface on this car screamed "designed by committee." And the sad thing is that virtually every other car on the market, regardless of price, has similarly poor ergonomics and software UI design.
Not sure how much mechanics they would have to work out. An electric vehicle has very few parts.
Sure internal combustion engines have lots of parts, but the tolerances with which they are built today allow it to go 100K miles before a tuneup. I doubt an electric car will go that far before the batteries will need to be replaced. Even average American cars can easily go 200-300K before stuff starts wearing out. And the stuff that wears out first are the seats, steering wheel grip, corrosion, floor mats, paint, headlight glass yellowing, windshield cracks, etc. All the same things that will wear out on a supposed Apple car. Sure, electric cars are cheaper to operate and slightly better for the urban environment, which is why all the manufacturers are moving in that direction.
So when Apple builds a car, why will it be better? A better infotainment system? That's it? How do they differentiate themselves from other manufacturers who are already selling electric cars?
Some here have stated that the new generation of young adults have little interest in actually driving. They claim no interest in driving yet I see them speeding around town in sporty little asian cars with little regard for traffic rules. There seems to be a disconnect there. Personally, I own two expensive cars and I enjoy driving. If Apple builds a car I'd expect them to include the enjoyment factor along with great handling and performance.
"When it comes to actually making cars, there is no reason to assume that Apple, with no experience, will suddenly do a better job than General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota, or Hyundai," Lutz said.
Palm CEO Ed Colligan in 2006, commenting on Apple's rumored entry into the cell phone business:
“We’ve learned and struggled for a few years here figuring out how to make a decent phone. PC guys are not going to just figure this out. They’re not going to just walk in.”
In addition to the G4 Cube (btw, I had forgot about it. Thanks for bring it) Apple server related hardware and applications (Xserve, Xsan, OS X server, Filemaker server), Pippin and the Newton. And you may consider how the quality of Apple has been down recently. iCloud, Apple Music, Apple Watch, the Macbook, iWorks and iCloud haven't been good examples. I may add the problems of the latest releases of OS X and iOS aren't good examples of the quality the Apple Car may have.
Quote:
Where Apple's failures number at 0 is with product categories. They don't get into new industries unless they know they can succeed, and make a huge impact. That, they've successfully done 100% of the time.
One product category where the have failed is in servers, and maybe game consoles (now we have to see how the Apple TV does). Cloud services don't looks too good compared to Google, MS and Amazon, but we have to wait more time to see how it develops.
Quote:
If Apple is looking at getting into cars...the world ought to pay very close attention.
It would be interesting how the "Apple Car" develops. But to assume it would be an instant hit is nonsense. Maybe it would be as good or better than Tesla or maybe they fail as Spyker. Who knows...
Palm CEO Ed Colligan in 2006, commenting on Apple's rumored entry into the cell phone business:
“We’ve learned and struggled for a few years here figuring out how to make a decent phone. PC guys are not going to just figure this out. They’re not going to just walk in.”
This is one of the guys that turned GM into the POS it was for 30 years. I think he is the very reason Apple is designing a car; because the ones he oversaw were so ungodly AWFUL (this is the man who brought the Aztec to market, amongst many, MANY other fiascos). And he cause the company to go into receivership, costing BILLIONS AND BILLIONS. Like anybody cares what you say, Bob.
The greatest arrogance stupidity in his comments -- and in those of some commenters here -- is the assumption that Apple will be stupid enough to walk into a "gigantic money pit.
Get real.
Yea because everyone else that walks into a money pit does so purposely.
The difference being that all those products sucked before Apple came into the market.
While the automobile has <span style="line-height:18.200000762939453px;">greatly </span>
<span style="line-height:1.4em;">evolved in the last hundred years, many aspects remain absolutely terrible. The user interface comes to mind. Have you ever tried to use the "infotainment" system on a modern car? They are atrocious, both hardware and software. I've heard of people (technologically inclined ones at that) intentionally delaying the purchase of a new car just to avoid dealing with these systems. And of course, any such technology is years outdated by the time it appears in a new car, and once you've bought the car there is no practical and economical way to keep it up to date.</span>
I drove a late model Ford Focus recently, equipped with their Sync system, and it was atrocious. Ridiculously convoluted, deeply nested menus, illogically organized, and with inconsistent navigation practices. The hardware controls were equally poor, right down to the idiotic decision to place volume controls on the right side of the steering wheel instead of the left. Everything about the man-machine interface on this car screamed "designed by committee." And the sad thing is that virtually every other car on the market, regardless of price, has similarly poor ergonomics and software UI design.
So yes, the car is ripe for disruption by Apple.
Oh yeah, I really see people not buying that sporty convertible because the 'infotainment' system sucks.
The greatest arrogance stupidity in his comments -- and in those of some commenters here -- is the assumption that Apple will be stupid enough to walk into a "gigantic money pit.
Get real.
Yea because everyone else that walks into a money pit does so purposely.
Oh yeah, I really see people not buying that sporty convertible because the 'infotainment' system sucks.
That sounds a lot like the sort of thinking that predicted that GUIs would never replace the command line, that laptops would never rival desktop PCs, and that people would never want to browse the web on a phone.
For me a car's interior is as important than its exterior. I don't like Porsches because I think their dashboards look and feel cheap, especially compared to the price of the car. If Apple releases a car, it will no doubt receive a ton of criticism and ridicule for daring to buck decades of automotive tradition in some way or another. But I wouldn't bet against them selling a bunch of them with fat profit margins.
Bob Lutz may have forgotten to "Think Differently"... Did anyone tell him we are now in a technological revolution?.... And not the Industrial Revolution?
Oh yeah, I really see people not buying that sporty convertible because the 'infotainment' system sucks.
That sounds a lot like the sort of thinking that predicted that GUIs would never replace the command line, that laptops would never rival desktop PCs, and that people would never want to browse the web on a phone.
For me a car's interior is as important than its exterior. I don't like Porsches because I think their dashboards look and feel cheap, especially compared to the price of the car. If Apple releases a car, it will no doubt receive a ton of criticism and ridicule for daring to buck decades of automotive tradition in some way or another. But I wouldn't bet against them selling a bunch of them with fat profit margins.
I don't doubt that they can be successful, but I just don't see them redefining the market like they've done previously. All previous designed cars aren't going to start looking like Apple's, and there aren't going to be people that believe Apple invented the car. Previously Apple had enter relatively new, or under served markets. The same isn't true this time.
What a jackass. Apple didn't have experience in the mobile phone business in 2007. Look at them now. And why ask this guy anyway? His company had to be bailed out the the taxpayers!
What a jackass. Apple didn't have experience in the mobile phone business in 2007. Look at them now. And why ask this guy anyway? His company had to be bailed out the the taxpayers!
Wasn't Apple on the brink of extinction at one point? Apple didn't make a phone, they made a mini computer with an a iPod (both of which they had plenty of experience in) that could be used as a phone.
Sure internal combustion engines have lots of parts, but the tolerances with which they are built today allow it to go 100K miles before a tuneup. I doubt an electric car will go that far before the batteries will need to be replaced. Even average American cars can easily go 200-300K before stuff starts wearing out. And the stuff that wears out first are the seats, steering wheel grip, muffler, floor mats, paint, headlight glass yellowing, windshield cracks, etc. All the same things that will wear out on a supposed Apple car. Sure, electric cars are cheaper to operate and slightly better for the urban environment, which is why all the manufacturers are moving in that direction.
So when Apple builds a car, why will it be better? A better infotainment system? That's it? How do they differentiate themselves from other manufacturers who are already selling electric cars?
Some here have stated that the new generation of young adults have little interest in actually driving. They claim no interest in driving yet I see them speeding around town in sporty little asian cars with little regard for traffic rules. There seems to be a disconnect there. Personally, I own two expensive cars and I enjoy driving. If Apple builds a car I'd expect them to include the enjoyment factor along with great handling and performance.
I unfortunately don't have 2 expensive cars and so haven't had the same 100 000+ miles before something breaks down. Perhaps my experiences are not the norm and have only ever had lemons. I also do recall reading that Tesla offers an 8 year unlimited km warranty. (Not included in that warranty is the general degradation that occurs with batteries. They assume a 70% capacity after those 8 years)
Comments
The difference being that all those products sucked before Apple came into the market.
Yea because everyone else that walks into a money pit does so purposely.
The difference being that all those products sucked before Apple came into the market.
While the automobile has greatly evolved in the last hundred years, many aspects remain absolutely terrible. The user interface comes to mind. Have you ever tried to use the "infotainment" system on a modern car? They are atrocious, both hardware and software. I've heard of people (technologically inclined ones at that) intentionally delaying the purchase of a new car just to avoid dealing with these systems. And of course, any such technology is years outdated by the time it appears in a new car, and once you've bought the car there is no practical and economical way to keep it up to date.
I drove a late model Ford Focus recently, equipped with their Sync system, and it was atrocious. Ridiculously convoluted, deeply nested menus, illogically organized, and with inconsistent navigation practices. The hardware controls were equally poor, right down to the idiotic decision to place volume controls on the right side of the steering wheel instead of the left. Everything about the man-machine interface on this car screamed "designed by committee." And the sad thing is that virtually every other car on the market, regardless of price, has similarly poor ergonomics and software UI design.
So yes, the car is ripe for disruption by Apple.
A) Interested.
Not sure how much mechanics they would have to work out. An electric vehicle has very few parts.
Sure internal combustion engines have lots of parts, but the tolerances with which they are built today allow it to go 100K miles before a tuneup. I doubt an electric car will go that far before the batteries will need to be replaced. Even average American cars can easily go 200-300K before stuff starts wearing out. And the stuff that wears out first are the seats, steering wheel grip, corrosion, floor mats, paint, headlight glass yellowing, windshield cracks, etc. All the same things that will wear out on a supposed Apple car. Sure, electric cars are cheaper to operate and slightly better for the urban environment, which is why all the manufacturers are moving in that direction.
So when Apple builds a car, why will it be better? A better infotainment system? That's it? How do they differentiate themselves from other manufacturers who are already selling electric cars?
Some here have stated that the new generation of young adults have little interest in actually driving. They claim no interest in driving yet I see them speeding around town in sporty little asian cars with little regard for traffic rules. There seems to be a disconnect there. Personally, I own two expensive cars and I enjoy driving. If Apple builds a car I'd expect them to include the enjoyment factor along with great handling and performance.
"When it comes to actually making cars, there is no reason to assume that Apple, with no experience, will suddenly do a better job than General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota, or Hyundai," Lutz said.
Palm CEO Ed Colligan in 2006, commenting on Apple's rumored entry into the cell phone business:
“We’ve learned and struggled for a few years here figuring out how to make a decent phone. PC guys are not going to just figure this out. They’re not going to just walk in.”
Like what? The G4 cube? Please. Get real.
In addition to the G4 Cube (btw, I had forgot about it. Thanks for bring it) Apple server related hardware and applications (Xserve, Xsan, OS X server, Filemaker server), Pippin and the Newton. And you may consider how the quality of Apple has been down recently. iCloud, Apple Music, Apple Watch, the Macbook, iWorks and iCloud haven't been good examples. I may add the problems of the latest releases of OS X and iOS aren't good examples of the quality the Apple Car may have.
Where Apple's failures number at 0 is with product categories. They don't get into new industries unless they know they can succeed, and make a huge impact. That, they've successfully done 100% of the time.
One product category where the have failed is in servers, and maybe game consoles (now we have to see how the Apple TV does). Cloud services don't looks too good compared to Google, MS and Amazon, but we have to wait more time to see how it develops.
It would be interesting how the "Apple Car" develops. But to assume it would be an instant hit is nonsense. Maybe it would be as good or better than Tesla or maybe they fail as Spyker. Who knows...
Palm CEO Ed Colligan in 2006, commenting on Apple's rumored entry into the cell phone business:
“We’ve learned and struggled for a few years here figuring out how to make a decent phone. PC guys are not going to just figure this out. They’re not going to just walk in.”
Soon to be a Lutzism.
Cameron
Apple geek
Car nut
Yeah, they do.
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-the-sunk-cost-fallacy-makes-you-act-stupid.html
Oh yeah, I really see people not buying that sporty convertible because the 'infotainment' system sucks.
In other words anyone can act stupid which doesn't exclude those at Apple.
Oh yeah, I really see people not buying that sporty convertible because the 'infotainment' system sucks.
That sounds a lot like the sort of thinking that predicted that GUIs would never replace the command line, that laptops would never rival desktop PCs, and that people would never want to browse the web on a phone.
For me a car's interior is as important than its exterior. I don't like Porsches because I think their dashboards look and feel cheap, especially compared to the price of the car. If Apple releases a car, it will no doubt receive a ton of criticism and ridicule for daring to buck decades of automotive tradition in some way or another. But I wouldn't bet against them selling a bunch of them with fat profit margins.
I don't doubt that they can be successful, but I just don't see them redefining the market like they've done previously. All previous designed cars aren't going to start looking like Apple's, and there aren't going to be people that believe Apple invented the car. Previously Apple had enter relatively new, or under served markets. The same isn't true this time.
Well, Bob Putz certainly knows about money pits.
Wasn't Apple on the brink of extinction at one point? Apple didn't make a phone, they made a mini computer with an a iPod (both of which they had plenty of experience in) that could be used as a phone.
Sure internal combustion engines have lots of parts, but the tolerances with which they are built today allow it to go 100K miles before a tuneup. I doubt an electric car will go that far before the batteries will need to be replaced. Even average American cars can easily go 200-300K before stuff starts wearing out. And the stuff that wears out first are the seats, steering wheel grip, muffler, floor mats, paint, headlight glass yellowing, windshield cracks, etc. All the same things that will wear out on a supposed Apple car. Sure, electric cars are cheaper to operate and slightly better for the urban environment, which is why all the manufacturers are moving in that direction.
So when Apple builds a car, why will it be better? A better infotainment system? That's it? How do they differentiate themselves from other manufacturers who are already selling electric cars?
Some here have stated that the new generation of young adults have little interest in actually driving. They claim no interest in driving yet I see them speeding around town in sporty little asian cars with little regard for traffic rules. There seems to be a disconnect there. Personally, I own two expensive cars and I enjoy driving. If Apple builds a car I'd expect them to include the enjoyment factor along with great handling and performance.
I unfortunately don't have 2 expensive cars and so haven't had the same 100 000+ miles before something breaks down. Perhaps my experiences are not the norm and have only ever had lemons. I also do recall reading that Tesla offers an 8 year unlimited km warranty. (Not included in that warranty is the general degradation that occurs with batteries. They assume a 70% capacity after those 8 years)
In other words anyone can act stupid which doesn't exclude those at Apple.
With anyone else, I'd say "go troll somewhat else."
But with you, why bother... meh.