Be the first to know. Get our weekly newsletter.

newsletter_popup Join 25,000 of your peers. Get our stories delivered to your e-mail inbox every week.
Edit Interests

Articles Selected for You

No unread stories
 
ViralBlog Logo
Close this box

Sign-up to get the content you like


Our readers can personalize ViralBlog in Zite alike ways, and schedule e-mail alerts to get the most relevant answers to their specific questions.

Choose your sign-up method:

Could not connect to Twitter. Refresh the page or try again later.

 

By signing-up you agree upon our terms and conditions

 
03/03/2014 by
5605 views

Apple iOS To Drive Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo?

Apple revolutionized our personal computing and mobile phones, but now it wants to change the way we drive. Will iOS software be part of Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo?

Apple iOS To Drive Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo? Igor Beuker for ViralBlog.com

Incrowders say that Apple will launch its first in-car operating system with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, as it attempts to take the lead in a fierce race to dominate tomorrow’s smart cars.

The breakthrough comes amid a swirl of market rumors that Apple could be eyeing a bid for electric carmaker Tesla Motors.

Google
and other technology companies are already working on plans to develop their own car models alongside traditional automotive manufacturers.

Discover the insights into this story.

Apple iOS to Drive Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo?

The deal marks the first time that Apple is embedding its software in devices other than its own branded products.

Apple iOS To Drive Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo? Igor Beuker for ViralBlog.com

The choice of the Ferrari, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz is seen to be in keeping with the US tech group’s high-end phones.

Coincidence or not? Apple’s head of internet software and services, Eddy Cue, joined the Ferrari board in 2012. At that time he said he had “personally dreamed of owning a Ferrari since I was 8 years old and have been lucky to be an owner for the past 5 years.”

Cars connected to the internet and seamlessly integrated with personal communication devices are seen as the forerunners. Future cars can drive themselves. They become mobile offices and “mobility solutions” for cities where all vehicles are controlled or monitored from a central database.

Geneva Motor Show 2014

The official announcement of Apple’s deal will be made at next week’s Geneva Motor Show, sources told the Financial Times.

2014-Geneva-Motor-Show

A number of other manufacturers are expected to incorporate iOS into models in 2014. Apple, and the carmakers declined to comment.

Drivers will be able to use Apple Maps as in-car navigation, as well as listen to music and watch films. Calls can be made through the system, which will tie into the Siri voice recognition platform. Messages can be read to the driver who can respond by dictating a reply.

An Apple powered car has been expected since the launch of its updated iOS 7 software. Cars can already play music through Apple devices but this allows the iOS software on the screen to be built into the car.

Apple showed the first images of the “iOS in the Car” platform at a developer conference last year, which in effect mirrors the iPhone on the in-car display.

Recently we discovered a YouTube video about the look&feel of the iOS in-car entertainment system. The video was made by Irish developer Steven Troughton-Smith.

The same Irishmen also placed screenshots on his Twitter on 21 January 2014:

Tweet_Steve

 

Google’s Android with Audi, GM, Honda & Hyundai?

Apple is not the only firm that wants to dominate the car industry. Google has been ‘flirting out loud’ with electric and driverless cars for quite a while.

Google's Android with Audi, GM, Honda & Hyundai?

Early 2014 Google announced a partnership with Audi, to embed cars with Android.

General Motors, Honda and Hyundai also joined the Android partner program.

My Opinion

Finally the battle for the car industry is reality. I am excited to see tech companies shaking up the traditional car manufacturers.

But the battle has only just begun. From insiders we have learned that Apple might buy Tesla Motors. Google wants to invest $150 million in advanced taxi service Uber, CNN Money stated.

From a strategic point of view, I wonder about Microsoft. What would be there future role in the car industry?

Right now, there are over 1 billion Windows PCs worldwide. And most cash machines (ATMs) on this planet are running on Windows.

However, I have not seen any significant plans from Microsoft to make me believe that they will be a serious player in the car industry.

It seems to me they have focused way too long on trying to get Bing closer to Google. They should have let go of their Search ego and focused on the car industry way back.

What About You?
Who will win the battle of cars: Apple or Google? Or do you think Microsoft still has a shot? We all get smarter from peer discussions, so share your opinion.

Follow & Share
Want more stories on breaking with the status quo? See our category Trends & Innovations, join us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, RSS and get our weekly E-mail Newsletter for updates and free bonus content.

About the Author
Igor Beuker is an acclaimed trendwatcher & pro speaker, serial entrepreneur, marketing consultant and board member at several disruptive media, technology and entertainment firms. Book Igor as keynote speaker, follow Igor on Twitter or contact him via LinkedIn.

 

Follow Category?

Follow Author?

Igor Beuker
21 more

Follow Tags?

androidFollowUnfollowapple iosFollowUnfollowaudiFollowUnfollowautomotiveFollowUnfollowbingFollowUnfollowcar industryFollowUnfollowcarsFollowUnfollowdriverless carsFollowUnfollowferrariFollowUnfollowgeneral motorsFollowUnfollowgeneva car showFollowUnfollowgmFollowUnfollowgoogleFollowUnfollowhondaFollowUnfollowhyundaiFollowUnfollowmarketingFollowUnfollowMercedes-BenzFollowUnfollowMicrosoftFollowUnfollowstrategyFollowUnfollowtechFollowUnfollowtechnologyFollowUnfollowtesla motorsFollowUnfollowtrendsFollowUnfollowuberFollowUnfollowVolvoFollowUnfollow