I was reading my paper today and came across this...
U.S. computer company Apple Inc. and German auto maker Volkswagen AG are discussing the possibility of building an "iCar" that would feature products by the producer of the ubiquitous iPod personal music player.
Apple chief Steve Jobs and Volkswagen's CEO Martin Winterkorn met several days ago in California and plan to meet for further discussions, said Hans-Gerd Bode, a spokesman for Volkswagen.
There are "scores of ideas," but few concrete plans at this point, Mr. Bode said.
Market experts estimate that a compact car upgraded with Apple products would be of substantial interest to young target groups, according to German financial magazine Capital.
Apple already works with Volkswagen and other auto makers to offer an integrated in-car hookup for iPods. An Apple representative did not return a request for comment on the potential iCar.
Electronics are increasingly important for auto makers. Ford will launch a communication and entertainment system developed with Microsoft called Sync this fall.
The system allows drivers to listen to their digital music players and have text messages on their cellphones read aloud. AAPL (Nasdaq) rose $2.17 to $136.25. VOW (Frankfurt) rose 45 euro cents (61 cents U.S.) to €150.24.
iCar?! are you fucking kidding me...
so friggin lame.
Sep-07-2007 07:45
MarkT
Automatic Static
Registered: Sep 2003
Location: Toronto
the obvious comes to mind...
PICS!?!
lol
Sep-07-2007 18:22
exstasie
Hack Attack
Registered: Jun 2006
Location: Toronto/Sauga, Canada
I read this in the elevator a few days ago.
Could be an interesting concept.
I know a lot of manufcaturers offer iPod hookups so you can control the iPod through the steering wheel controls (ie. BMW) and have it properly hooked up so the sound isn't distorted. The add-on was like $300 or something like that, so a bit pricy.
Sep-07-2007 19:26
Owen M
nightdreamer...
Registered: May 2005
Location: The Hammer (Hamilton, Ontario)/ Calgary Alberta
quote:
Originally posted by exstasie
I read this in the elevator a few days ago.
Could be an interesting concept.
I know a lot of manufcaturers offer iPod hookups so you can control the iPod through the steering wheel controls (ie. BMW) and have it properly hooked up so the sound isn't distorted. The add-on was like $300 or something like that, so a bit pricy.
not needed if you buy the $35 iTrip and play it through yer fm radio. %90 of the after market products for ipods are useless.
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Sep-07-2007 20:20
Playa24_7
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Apr 2004
Location:
quote:
Originally posted by exstasie
I read this in the elevator a few days ago.
mmmhmmm.....
LOL
Sep-07-2007 22:33
monishb
Transformed
Registered: Mar 2002
Location: Vancouver-Toronto-Dubai-Mumbai
great now all i need a iHome to alongside with it
Sep-07-2007 22:37
marcusus
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Sep 2004
Location: Drifting
quote:
Originally posted by Owen M
not needed if you buy the $35 iTrip and play it through yer fm radio. %90 of the after market products for ipods are useless.
Yeah, but then you lose a lot of the quality of the song, because it's only the quality of FM, which isn't that great.
I'm all for integration, but Apple really like muscling out the competition like this. Can't say I blame them, but I don't think I'll ever own an iPod. Although if the iCar has a killer sound system (ie everything works smoothly and sounds awesome) and has some 'get up and go' to the engine etc, then I'd think about it.
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I would rather have the truth tear my body apart...
Than have my soul wander forever in darkness...
Sep-08-2007 13:32
Jem_hadar
I remember...
Registered: Nov 2003
Location: Pandora (South of Nowhere)
Make my Yaris an iCar!! It's trendy enough!
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TECHNO IS THE BEST NOISE ON EARTH.
Save Techno - Stop Minimal / Tech-House
Sep-08-2007 13:46
Lightshow
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto
quote:
Originally posted by monishb
great now all i need a iHome to alongside with it
An iHome, Why thats pure genius. with the iHome you would be able to plug in your ipod into a central sounds system all over your house and control it through little consoles throughout your house. With the iHome, the posibillities are endless
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A lightshow is only 50% light.
Sep-08-2007 13:55
catinthehat
Senior tranceaddict
Registered: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
If I leave the lights on all day in the winter and my battery dies, can I just put in a new one from Canadian Tire, or do I have to send the whole car back to Germany for them to fix?
Sep-08-2007 14:16
exstasie
Hack Attack
Registered: Jun 2006
Location: Toronto/Sauga, Canada
yes..in the elevator...lol
THe only news I find out about is what is listed in the elevator on the LCD screen lol.
Have you ever listened to the quality of an iTrip? IT's horrible! So much static and there are time when you are around downtown TO where it keeps cutting in and out.
It's such a pain switching frequencies and crap like that.
I would pay like $100 or something to have my iPod function through the cars speaker system and have steering wheel functionality.
Well, not right now considering i don't really drive as much as I use to, but you know what i mean.
