Apple developing NAVI for Benz ?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 0
From: MO
Let it happen... it will be just another nail in the coffin of Mercedes' reputation for luxury and excellence.
Face it: Apple is a quirky niche brand that only truly appeals to those who choose products more based on cache than functionality. Their market in every realm (except MP3 players, but more on that in a moment) is in the "also-ran, barely-mention" category. They design products for the dumbest consumers--automating every function and assuming the user is too stupid to know how to adjust settings on their own. They even treat their customers like commodities, for example in the way they brushed off the iPod battery fiasco. And now people don't buy iPods because that's the best MP3 player--they buy them because they're "cool", a fleeting sensation that will inevitably move to the next best thing.
So let Mercedes link themselves to a brand that appeals to a tiny sliver of the population, that feels it is superior to its own customers, and that relies on "cool" rather than true innovation or product excellence in order to carry on. Lexus is smart to stick with their current suppliers for nav systems, the same suppliers that have given them an untarnished string of awards for having the best, most complete, and most user-friendly electronics in the industry.
Face it: Apple is a quirky niche brand that only truly appeals to those who choose products more based on cache than functionality. Their market in every realm (except MP3 players, but more on that in a moment) is in the "also-ran, barely-mention" category. They design products for the dumbest consumers--automating every function and assuming the user is too stupid to know how to adjust settings on their own. They even treat their customers like commodities, for example in the way they brushed off the iPod battery fiasco. And now people don't buy iPods because that's the best MP3 player--they buy them because they're "cool", a fleeting sensation that will inevitably move to the next best thing.
So let Mercedes link themselves to a brand that appeals to a tiny sliver of the population, that feels it is superior to its own customers, and that relies on "cool" rather than true innovation or product excellence in order to carry on. Lexus is smart to stick with their current suppliers for nav systems, the same suppliers that have given them an untarnished string of awards for having the best, most complete, and most user-friendly electronics in the industry.
Look inside a PC and it's a glob of wires and componets. Look inside a Mac Pro and it's pure elegance. Like the difference between looking under the hood of a Chevy Vega compared with looking under the hood of a Lexus.
That elegance and simplicity carries over in every aspect of design with Apple products. That, in turn, greatly enhances the user experience. The reason people buy iPods is because the interface is logical, simple and elegant, and works seamlessly with thier desktop or laptop at home. And it just so happens that the design is cool as well.
When the iPhone debuts, the phone industry (in a recent survey 19 million said they plan on buying an iPhone) will be put on notice the same way the MP3 industry was. People will pay extra for thoughtful design and innovation, instead of pure, mechanical function.
If Apple decideds to fully commit to the GPS and Navi interface business it will only make a company which is growing stronger every year even stronger still. Also-ran? Don't kid yourself.
Last edited by speedflex; Jun 19, 2007 at 12:03 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Anti-mac rhetoric. I work in a cross-platform office and the Macs are far more preferred, by both staff and our IT folks. Plus they last forever. Most of the PC's in the office have died within 5-6 years of heavy use while the Macs soldier on, usually finding a job elsewhere doing at least something... like the 8 year old G4 we have operating our flatbed scanner. Apple is an innovator both in hardware and software. You can't say that for either Micro$oft or Dell. It only strengthens the Mac platform now that you can switch between the Windows environment and OSX on the Mac.
Look inside a PC and it's a glob of wires and componets. Look inside a Mac Pro and it's pure elegance. Like the difference between looking under the hood of a Chevy Vega compared with looking under the hood of a Lexus.
That elegance and simplicity carries over in every aspect of design with Apple products. That, in turn, greatly enhances the user experience. The reason people buy iPods is because the interface is logical, simple and elegant, and works seamlessly with thier desktop or laptop at home. And it just so happens that the design is cool as well.
When the iPhone debuts, the phone industry (in a recent survey 19 million said they plan on buying an iPhone) will be put on notice the same way the MP3 industry was. People will pay extra for thoughtful design and innovation, instead of pure, mechanical function.
If Apple decideds to fully commit to the GPS and Navi interface business it will only make a company which is growing stronger every year even stronger still. Also-ran? Don't kid yourself.
Look inside a PC and it's a glob of wires and componets. Look inside a Mac Pro and it's pure elegance. Like the difference between looking under the hood of a Chevy Vega compared with looking under the hood of a Lexus.
That elegance and simplicity carries over in every aspect of design with Apple products. That, in turn, greatly enhances the user experience. The reason people buy iPods is because the interface is logical, simple and elegant, and works seamlessly with thier desktop or laptop at home. And it just so happens that the design is cool as well.
When the iPhone debuts, the phone industry (in a recent survey 19 million said they plan on buying an iPhone) will be put on notice the same way the MP3 industry was. People will pay extra for thoughtful design and innovation, instead of pure, mechanical function.
If Apple decideds to fully commit to the GPS and Navi interface business it will only make a company which is growing stronger every year even stronger still. Also-ran? Don't kid yourself.
Could not disagree with you more.
Today Apple is nothing but techno fashion accessory. Nothing more.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 1
From: CA
User friendly would allow the user to change destinations while driving, without a Nav override or cutting wires. User friendly would allow me to view my playlists while driving.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 0
From: MO
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: WA
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 38
From: CA
What an ignorant statement. You honestly believe the Black Series CLK 63 is "little more than a fashion statement"?
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=288756
Come on.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=288756
Come on.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 0
From: tx
What an ignorant statement. You honestly believe the Black Series CLK 63 is "little more than a fashion statement"?
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=288756
Come on.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=288756
Come on.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 0
From: tx
oh I forget who's processor does Apple now use?
# of engineers who make fashion statements = 0
# of engineers use non ipod Apple products = 0
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 2
From: CA
I really didn't want this thread to degrade into a Mac vs. PC debate, but I guess it's inevitable. It's like Republicans vs. Democrats--there are more similarities than differences, but emotions get involved and people can't be objective.
I rail against Apple because their fanboys so blindly devote themselves to everything the company does. They have not innovated for years, yet are seen as a wonderfully customer-focused company (by a tiny sliver of rabid fans). The iPhone is nothing but a nice repackaging of technologies and components that other manufacturers have offered for years. It will sell (but not like the blind adherents hope in a mass-market sense) to that fringe faithful, simply because it is Apple.
Maybe these people will now buy Mercedes cars, except that Apple's fringe market is mostly made up of starving students and artists. Not exactly your luxury car demographic, is it?
I rail against Apple because their fanboys so blindly devote themselves to everything the company does. They have not innovated for years, yet are seen as a wonderfully customer-focused company (by a tiny sliver of rabid fans). The iPhone is nothing but a nice repackaging of technologies and components that other manufacturers have offered for years. It will sell (but not like the blind adherents hope in a mass-market sense) to that fringe faithful, simply because it is Apple.
Maybe these people will now buy Mercedes cars, except that Apple's fringe market is mostly made up of starving students and artists. Not exactly your luxury car demographic, is it?
What does this have to do with anything?
I rail against Apple because their fanboys so blindly devote themselves to everything the company does. They have not innovated for years, yet are seen as a wonderfully customer-focused company (by a tiny sliver of rabid fans). The iPhone is nothing but a nice repackaging of technologies and components that other manufacturers have offered for years. It will sell (but not like the blind adherents hope in a mass-market sense) to that fringe faithful, simply because it is Apple.
Maybe these people will now buy Mercedes cars, except that Apple's fringe market is mostly made up of starving students and artists. Not exactly your luxury car demographic, is it?
Maybe these people will now buy Mercedes cars, except that Apple's fringe market is mostly made up of starving students and artists. Not exactly your luxury car demographic, is it?
As far as Apple's fringe market is mostly made up of starving students and artists... What are you smoking? Last time I checked, the cheapest computer, MacBook, is $1,000 and Mac Pro start at $2,500. In addition, do you think that the "starving students and artists" would buy an MB simply because it has an Apple nav system? Probably not, however, prospective MB buyers would probably love the ease of use and functionality of the Apple nav system over say, oh, iDrive?! and buy an MB...
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: WA
No kidding... Everything is integrated seamlessly together it's amazing. It's true that it's not as customizable as Windows but many people think it's worth the trade-off. After all, we don't have as much freedom having a government, but it's worth it right?
What does this have to do with anything?
Let's see... There are a lot of Lexus fanboys or BMW fanboys on car forums, do you rail against Lexus or BMW? In addition, I'd call the widgets and dock innovations. O and by the way, they are copied by Microsoft... Now who's more innovative? As for iPhone, I personally wouldn't get one but if it's simply a repackaging of technologies and components, please do point out which phone on the market currently has the same functionality as the iPhone? Seriously... And for YEARS?! So how about naming some phones from 2005? I think in order to make that kind of statement, some evidence/support should be included as well.
As far as Apple's fringe market is mostly made up of starving students and artists... What are you smoking? Last time I checked, the cheapest computer, MacBook, is $1,000 and Mac Pro start at $2,500. In addition, do you think that the "starving students and artists" would buy an MB simply because it has an Apple nav system? Probably not, however, prospective MB buyers would probably love the ease of use and functionality of the Apple nav system over say, oh, iDrive?! and buy an MB...
What does this have to do with anything?
Let's see... There are a lot of Lexus fanboys or BMW fanboys on car forums, do you rail against Lexus or BMW? In addition, I'd call the widgets and dock innovations. O and by the way, they are copied by Microsoft... Now who's more innovative? As for iPhone, I personally wouldn't get one but if it's simply a repackaging of technologies and components, please do point out which phone on the market currently has the same functionality as the iPhone? Seriously... And for YEARS?! So how about naming some phones from 2005? I think in order to make that kind of statement, some evidence/support should be included as well.
As far as Apple's fringe market is mostly made up of starving students and artists... What are you smoking? Last time I checked, the cheapest computer, MacBook, is $1,000 and Mac Pro start at $2,500. In addition, do you think that the "starving students and artists" would buy an MB simply because it has an Apple nav system? Probably not, however, prospective MB buyers would probably love the ease of use and functionality of the Apple nav system over say, oh, iDrive?! and buy an MB...
Well said
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,350
Likes: 6
From: California
And it's somewhat true about the artists and students using Macs, I see more MacBooks/iBook G3 or G4s on college campuses than Dell Inspirons or Latitudes or any of the junk HP makes(or rather buys from Quanta and "calls" it their own)
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 1
From: CA
Coming from a Systems Admin, former Desktop Support guy for PCs, I would say OSX > Windows. I have worked with PCs my whole life and think OSX is a superior product.
Apple is intuitive, easy to use, and well... It just works and it works right away, rather in Windows, even if it does have the drivers, it takes awhile to load or install the device.
Apple is intuitive, easy to use, and well... It just works and it works right away, rather in Windows, even if it does have the drivers, it takes awhile to load or install the device.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 2
From: CA
Coming from a Systems Admin, former Desktop Support guy for PCs, I would say OSX > Windows. I have worked with PCs my whole life and think OSX is a superior product.
Apple is intuitive, easy to use, and well... It just works and it works right away, rather in Windows, even if it does have the drivers, it takes awhile to load or install the device.
Apple is intuitive, easy to use, and well... It just works and it works right away, rather in Windows, even if it does have the drivers, it takes awhile to load or install the device.
Did anyone read the article and it does say that MBZ will get it exclusive for the 6 months then after if a car manufacturer wants to incorporate it into their car then they can.
I bet you there's a pole out there that asks what people thought of Apple what came to mind. I bet a big chunk of the responses would be 1) Ipod 2) easy to use 3) simple probably not in that order but you get the drift. Most consumers are not geeks and tech savy like some of us here on the car forums or who frequent Gizmodo ro Engadget. So just imagine how nice it would be if Apple were to have a chance to rethink how in car navigation/entertainment is handled.
Isnt ford teaming up w/ windows? or something like that for their infotainment?