Apple going into car tech?

Is Apple looking to compete with Garmin or Alpine down the road?

German magazine Focus has reported that Apple is developing something that would combine maintenance, entertainment, communication and navigation for cars into one device and that Mercedes will be the first to feature it.

A dashboard system for Mercedes from Apple, or an iPhone integration system for the Mercedes, seems like a logical probability given the fact that the two partnered on the first iPod integration kit for cars in 2006.

Appled refused to comment directly on either possibility.

"We have not announced plans yet," said Tom Neumayr, a spokesman for Apple.

DaimlerChrysler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, was not immediately available for comment.

[DraconumPB]

It's the...

...iCar!

Except it only runs on certain roads, and you have to pay Apple a dollar every time you drive it on a new road. If you want to do so unrestricted, however, and on better quality pavement, just give them thirty more cents.

[keith.in.trinidad]

AppleTV for the car...

Your wireless network is going to be available in the garage too. Drive up to the house, the Apple Car System picks up the signal and syncs new music, podcasts and movies. All are available from a multitouch interface that replaces the stereo. Back seat passengers have their choice of

Bye-bye, satellite radio?

[TogetherinParis]

Check your spelling, please!

Is there no one literate enough to correct spelling mistakes at c/
net?

[Vegaman_Dan]

More indications of Apple losing touch with their base.

If these rumors (and that's all they are right now) are true, it shows Apple's continued move away from computers and into consumer electronics instead.

I really don't like this shift away from their loyal base Macintosh customers in favor of fast cash. They are turning their backs on the Macintosh by expanding out to unrelated products like this. Focus on one product and do a great job of it. Don't spread your interests far and wide with no one product standing out. They will end up watering down the brand and quality that they have built up over the years.