Almost every car nowadays has some type of common data bus working as described in the article (ie: CAN), so it wouldn't matter whether it is a Mercedes, BMW or Hyundai. Physical interconnects are easy to bridge and given the specs of the transport protocol, communications between devices is handled in software.
In a sense it is much easier nowadays to get communications between devices than it was in the past.
Carl, with all respect, You should take this special information very serious. As a journalist from Germany I do.
Answer the following questions:
1. How many Daimler-Chryslers are currently equipped with a "Command-System"?
2. What's about the replacement of conventional car stereos (Pioneer, Becker, etc.) with an Apple OS X machine with phone, iPod and GPS built in?
3. What do You think about internet services designed for advanced car radios? (Logbook, travel expenses, travel information, etc.). How to monetize these services? (Google, Yahoo, Daimler-Chrysler)
4. How many cars in the world carry a stereo?
5. Integrate iPhone and car stereo (40 pin-dock) or sync iPhones and car phone while entering the car?
6. Traffic management by authorities via internet and pushed to particular cars on the roads and freeways?
7. Economies of scale (iPhone, Apple Car Stereo)
8. Has Apple learned how to partner with the big names in the business from Microsoft?
9. The german magazine "Focus" is a very reliable source. Why do they spread the news now?
This is a fantasy stuff, carefully designed for the stock market as a reaction to the current fud campaign.
Best wishes and greeting from Frankfurt.
Harald
It makes perfect sense. Apple is engineering a portable OS onto devices outside of the typical computer. It was done with the iPhone and will be incorporated into future iPods. Apple has worked out the interface for Google maps and is seeking to establish this onto other devices. Partnering with Mercedes brings a level of brand recognition (read that as quality) to both companies. And by establishing a beach-front with Mercedes, it can then sell this to other car manufacturers.
Cheers,
Alan Smith
Commenting by HaloScan
