iThings Considered
Apple & Volkswagen
Why an Apple-Volkswagen Merger Would Work
Jake Sargent - 2001.05.01
What's this you say? Suggesting that Apple should even consider merging with Volkswagen is a preposterous idea? You're right, it is. It's stupid, it's unheard of, and it's creative.
That's exactly why it would work.
Innovative Design
People have marveled at the VW Beetle's design since its
introduction decades ago. Computer users have marveled at the iMac's design since its introduction in
1998.
Although there is a large time gap between
the two, one thing is
clear - the VW Beetle (or Bug), and iMac share a large resemblance.
This is one reason why Apple and Volkswagen would work well together, they both
think in curves. Both companies focus highly on industrial design (just
check out VW's new Microbus), and both are known for their innovative
creations. Imagine what could happen if you combined the VW design team
and Apple design team - you would get an iMac that's out of this
world!
Digital Hub - Think Of The Possibilities!
At Macworld San Francisco, Steve Jobs stressed how the Mac is becoming a digital hub, the core and command center of all electronics (MP3 player, CD player, camcorder, digital camera, microwave(?)). If Apple got into the car market, the company could take the digital hub idea a step further. You could have cars with built-in Macs that controlled the temperature, the radio, the security system, and the safety features (not to mention being able to play Quake III at a red light).
Marketing and Web Site Design
No disagreements or quarrels here, both Apple and VW share very similar commercials. Remember the VW ad that had green Beetles speeding around in front of a white background like atoms? Remember the iMac ad that had the five different flavors turning around in a circle? The same goes for Web site design, both companies have the navigation on the top of the browser window, and a featured product in the center - the similarities are starting to get scary.
Expanding Market
Apple has conquered the computer market; PC users are just too shallow to realize it. Merging with a car company would give Apple a whole other market to compete in. Apple would start to become known for its wide variety of products, and it would then make sense for them to expand into other markets, such as televisions, radios, and other electronics.
Apple and Volkswagen, the leading designers in their respective fields, would work well together, there's no question about that. Unfortunately, we live in the 00's, and a merger between two companies that large would cost a fortune and take what may feel like a life time.
Is Apple, our favorite (and only) Mac manufacturer going to merge
with one of the most daring car companies of the century? I'm putting
my poker chips on never, but it's a nice thought.
Links for the Day
- Mac of the Day: Macintosh Portable, introduced 1989.09.20. The nearly 16 lb. behemoth was innovative but not a smashing success.
- Support Low End Mac
Recent Content
- Fix Home Button Delay, Tablet the Ultimate Mobile PC, iPad Notebook a Possibility, and More, iOS News Review, 2012.02.10. Also using your iPad at work, two photo editors, a new iPad text editor, Macally's magnetic iPad 2 stand, and more.
- White MacBook Goes End-of-Life, Logitech Touch Mouse Supports Gestures, Firmware Updates, and More, The 'Book Review, 2012.02.10. Also MacBook Air better than any Ultrabook, docks for MacBook Pro models, Intel offers improved SSDs, and more.
- Mac and iOS Browsers: Options Galore, Freeware Forum, 2012.02.10. Safari is adequate on Mac and great on iOS, but the range of good alternatives is stunning. LEM writers share their favorites.
- Apple's Support Lead Shipping, Smartphones Outsell PCs, OS X Ported to ARM by Intern, and More, Mac News Review, 2012.02.10. Also the power of Tex-Edit Plus, Google and Twitter are already censoring the Web, Snow Leopard Security Update, and more.
- LogMeIn: Remote Screen Sharing for the Rest of Us, Alan Zisman, Zis Mac, 2012.02.09. Configuring the Mac's built-in screen sharing to work over the Internet can be difficult or impossible. LogMeIn makes it easy.
- 15 Years Ago Motorola Unveiled the PowerPC G3, Low End Mac Round Table, 2012.02.06. The G3 processor was optimized for real world Mac software and made a big leap forward in efficiency.
- Don't Kill Caps Lock, Learning to Love the iOS Keyboard, and an Adaptive iPad Keyboard, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2012.02.06. The Caps Lock key has a useful function, the iPad's keyboard really is useful, and checking out an adaptive keyboard for the iPad.
- More links in our archive.
Recent Deals
- Best MacBook Air Deals
- Best iBook G4 Deals
- Best iPad Deals
- Best Classic Mac OS Deals
- Best Apple TV Deals
- Best 15" MacBook Pro Deals
- Best Power Mac G4 Deals
- Best Mac OS X 10.6 Deals
- More deals in our archive.
About LEM Support Usage Privacy Contact
Follow
Low End Mac on Twitter
Join Low End Mac
on Facebook
Low End Mac Reader Specials
TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct
from Strider Software.
Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker and Mac Casino applications in minutes.
Favorite Sites
MacSurfer
Cult of Mac
Shrine of Apple
MacInTouch
MyAppleMenu
InfoMac
The Mac Observer
Accelerate Your Mac
RetroMacCast
PB Central
MacWindows
The Vintage Mac Museum
DealMac
Deal Brothers
Mac2Sell
Mac Driver Museum
JAG's House
System 6 Heaven
System 7 Today
the pickle's Low-End Mac FAQ
Affiliates
Amazon.com
The Apple Store
The iTunes Store
PC Connection Express
GainSaver
Parallels Desktop for Mac
eBay

