Automotive

McLaren confirms it was in talks with Apple that never “matured to a definitive proposition”

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 2, 2017

Back in September, The Financial Times, The New York Times and Bloomberg ran reports that Apple was considering either a full takeover bid or at least a large investment in the British supercar maker McLaren Automotive. A potential acquisition was valued at between $1.3 billion and $1.9 billion though McLaren later said it was “not in discussion with Apple in respect of any potential investment.”

Saturday, McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt confirmed in an interview with Reuters that his company did hold talks with Apple after all, but said the discussions never progressed towards a definitive proposition.

Bloomberg: Apple gives up building a car, for now

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 17, 2016

Project Titan, Apple's ambitious initiative to build an electric vehicle by 2020-2021 reportedly fell apart amid management crisis, supply chain issues and departures, prompting the company's leadership to shift gears and focus on autonomous self-driving software, for now.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported Monday that Apple will decide fate of self-driving software by late 2017 as the new direction no longer includes building its own car.

Here are Gene Munster’s latest musings on Project Titan & Apple VR headset

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 20, 2016

Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster had been infamously predicting an Apple-branded HDTV set for years before eventually giving up on that dream. Last we heard from him was when he called for an S-upgrade to the Apple Watch in February 2016 (he may have gotten that one right; the timing, not so much).

He's back now with some interesting thoughts (via AppleWorldToday) on Apple's rumored electric vehicle and assumed virtual reality headset hardware.

Sony announces $499 aftermarket CarPlay audio system, arriving in November

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 19, 2016

If you mind buying a brand spanking new car just to get CarPlay, aftermarket solutions from Pioneer, Alpine and Kenwood allow you to add Apple's in-car infotainment system to older vehicles.

Now Japanese consumer electronics giant Sony has unveiled its first-ever in-car audio system with CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

It sports high-fidelity sound and includes voice command features, Siri integration with support for Maps, Music and iMessage features, plus other perks.

If you live in Pittsburgh, your next Uber might be self-driving

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 1, 2018

Folks in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania will soon be able to summon a self-driving car from Uber, reports Bloomberg. The outlet says that the ride-sharing service plans to deploy a fleet of specially modified Volvo XC90 SUVs, supervised by humans, in the city later this month.

Honda confirms CarPlay coming to 2017 Civic Hatchback this fall

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 15, 2016

After rolling out CarPlay in the 2016 Accord and Civic and in the 2017 Ridgeline, Japanese car manufacturer Honda today confirmed that Apple's iPhone-connected infotainment system will be returning in the new five-door 2017 Civic Hatchback, arriving in North America this fall.

Small Korean firm rumored to co-develop advanced hollow batteries for Project Titan

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 9, 2016

Apple's rumored electric (autonomous?) vehicle, internally referred to as Project Titan, should use custom-designed batteries developed by engineers that Apple poached from A123 Systems, the makers of advanced batteries. According to a new report Tuesday, Apple has now tapped scientists and engineers from a small, unnamed South Korean firm to help co-develop hollow battery packs for Project Titan.

Hyundai issues a software update bringing CarPlay to Azera and Veloster models

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 10, 2017

South Korean automobile maker Hyundai today announced a firmware update bringing Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto infotainment systems to additional vehicles, namely the latest Azera and Veloster models. The new firmware follows a firmware update in December 2015 that brought support for CarPlay to the 2016 Sonata and a few other 2015 and 2016 models.

Last week, the company said that CarPlay integration will be offered as a standard feature on the 2017 Sonata and limited-edition Tucson models.

CarPlay is coming to Hyundai’s 2017 Sonata and Tucson models

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 2, 2017

After releasing a firmware update which brought CarPlay support to the 2016 Sonata and a few other 2015 and 2016 models, Hyundai today announced that Apple's CarPlay infotainment system will be offered as a standard feature on its 2017 Sonata and limited-edition Tucson models.

Bloomberg: Apple’s Project Titan prioritizes autonomous driving amid new hirings

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 28, 2016

Apple's rumored electric vehicle project has shifted its focus towards autonomous driving systems although that shouldn't be interpreted as Apple abandoning efforts to design its own vehicle, Bloomberg reported today.

After bringing former hardware chief Bob Mansfield back from retirement to run its Project Titan initiative, Apple has now hired BlackBerry and Ford talent to help perfect its secret self-driving software.

WSJ: Apple’s retired hardware chief Bob Mansfield to oversee development of Project Titan

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 25, 2016

Following a report last week alleging that Apple's rumored electric vehicle project was internally delayed after its lead Steve Zadesky left in January 2016 for personal reasons, The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that Apple's enlisted help of its retired hardware chief Bob Mansfield, who will now oversee development of Project Titan.

Report: Apple’s rumored electric car project faces internal launch delay until 2021

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 21, 2016

Former Wall Street Journal reporter Jessia Lessin's outlet, The Information, this morning ran a story behind a paywall claiming that Apple's tentative 2020 launch target for a rumored autonomous electric vehicle may have slipped until 2021. Project Titan, as it's code-named, “has run into challenges” after its top executive left in January, as per sources.