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It seems like it's been a few days since some wild and random speculation, so how about this for size: Apple and VW, partnering on the iCar. Got your attention? Well, that's what German newspaper Financial Times Deutschland is reporting, with the car maker confirming that Steve Jobs met with Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn several days to discuss potential collaboration that was at an "early stage".
The paper then goes on to highlight the fact that VW has plans for a new under-$10k subcompact, almost begging us to believe that it's going to be a full-on mixture of VW and Apple DNA. Far more likely, however, is that the same sort of iPhone and iPod integration that stablemate Audi has introduced will be filtered down into Volkswagen's more mainstream range.
[via ars technica]
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like garbage!
It would be much better for the people if cars had a generic dock for any type of phone/mp3 device, not locking it in to a shoddy product line such as Apple’s.
Company first, consumer last.
Oh wait, I’m sorry, this is an Apple site. I jumped here right from Google’s news page, and didn’t notice. Not trying to start an Apple-vs-others fight.
Still my point stands. Proprietary couplings only benefit companies.
To be honest, Dave, I agree with you - considering most people change their cellphone or mp3 player far more often than they do their car, it makes more sense to have an interface you can continue using rather than being reliant on one company (Apple or otherwise) keeping the same connector.
Portability of phone numbers between carriers is a real issue if you are a carrier. If the average American changes cars every three years and cell carriers every 2 years this seems like a strategy to lock in brand loyalty to both.
Dave, I tend to agree with you as well about the proprietary thing. I happen to own apple stock and like their products, but non-proprietary standards is a good thing for consumers.
Apple has made overtures in that direction, with their missive against DRM. Lets hope they go that way with music player docks.
Better than a Windows car. Imagine trying to put on the brakes and getting the blue screen of death - literally.
don’t be stupid, volkswagen are reliable unlike those anoying stupid ipods, volkwagen are much to good for apple.
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