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The iPhone doesn't stand out as customizable because, compared to its current competition, it's not. But it's massively more customizable than what was on the m
by Zanni 8y ago
The iPhone doesn't stand out as customizable because, compared to its current competition, it's not. But it's massively more customizable than what was on the market before, thanks to the app store. Yes, it's software-based customization, but the hardware is so strong that that's still huge. Again, if you compare to Android, the options seem limited ... now. But compare to the then current state of the art, where you could install custom software, if you could find it, but few people actually did. Apple enabled a staggering degree of customization that we take for granted now.
I don't think Apple's going to create modular cars where you can swap out hardware or that just come in a variety of form factors. If they create customizable cars (if they get into the car biz at all), it'll be through software. Tesla already hints at some of the possibilities here: on the same hardware platform you can upgrade your autopilot or performance, even your range. (I have a 60D, which has a 75KWh battery. I can order an online software upgrade to a 75D for $2K.) That's just what Tesla already does. I can't imagine what Apple might offer, but the possibilities are intriguing.
- Phlarp 8y agoThis isn't a "software upgrade" it's a "software lock" on your hardware that they will remove for $X
- madengr 8y agoYep, that’s rampant in the electronic test equipment industry. Keysight will sell you a $13k box, with $26k of hardware options to enable.
- MBCook 8y agoIt’s the business model IBM basically pioneered that rocketed them to the top of the mainframe space. It may be new in the world of consumer cars, but it’s not new under the sun.
- Zanni 8y agoIt's an upgrade from my perspective. I paid $10K less than I would have paid for a 75D. But I take your point. It's not the best example. Nor are the other two I offered. But they're the best I can come up with, and I think they hint at the possibilities for software-customizable cars.
- mtgx 8y agoYou don't think you're paying for the hardware? So you think Tesla takes a loss whenever it sells a car with Autopilot hardware for which the customers don't buy the software upgrade? If they don't, then you're already paying for it. I think it was a mistake to do it like this, and it made all Model 3's more expensive than they could have been.