Apple and Toyota team up to provide portable car battery

[paulw]

Last week, Apple gave GadgetGuy.com.au a preview of a new gadget that we think will revolutionize the automobile industry.

The Hybrid iCharge is a joint effort by Apple and Toyota to bring a stable way of recharging new energy efficient autos with the ease of playing back your music.

Complete article.

http://www.gadgetguy.com.au/april-fools-apple-and-toyota-team-up-to-provide-portable-car-battery-article-9174-10.html

[MultimediaMan]

I knew this couldn't be true: If Apple had anything to do with a car, the Apple Logo would be at least 3x larger than the other partner company.

1) The car would be zero maintenance. The hood would be welded shut: oil changes would be handled at your local applie iCar dealer and would be exchanged for a refurbished car.
a) Apple iTires and Rims are of a custom size and width. Manufacturers will have to sign an NDA and provide Apple with a fraction of the profits made from iRims and iTires.
b) iSpinners are only sold through licensed Apple Retailers.

2) The car would be "Apple White" for the first three years, with multiple colors offered only after sales had dropped 10%.

3) Before you could enter the the vehicle, you would have to agree to a EULA.
a) Before you could start the vehicle, the seatbelt would have to be fastened, and you have to agree to another EULA.
b) Before you could put the vehicle in gear, you would have to agree to another EULA.
c) Before you use the brakes, you would have to agree to another EULA (Listed as a bugfix for a future update).
d) Everything is automatic; the windows, the sunroof, the trunk, headlights, etc... all have seperate EULAs.

4. Warranty
a) Refuelling the vehicle can only occur at a licensed Apple Fuel Station. Failure to refuel at one of these locations will result in the warranty being voided immediately.

5. Safety
a) Folding Maps and GPS devices brought into cabin of the vehicle will cause the vehicle to shutdown immediately. For your safety, only iMap software and iPhones are permitted within the cabin area.
b) When your iCar goes in for service, make sure to back up all of your iMaps and remove all articles from your car. Apple is not responsible for loss or theft of articles and purchased software when exchanging an iCar.
c) Automatic volume levelling within the car permits audio tracks and cell phone conversations to only go 1db above ambient: this is to prevent hearing loss.

6. Responsibility
a) Your Apple iCar is made by many non-specific vendors of questionable repute and ethics: not limited to Underage Laborers, Environmental Violations, Sweatshop laws, bribery, IP violations and mistreatment of laborers. However, to offset this, Apple includes a surcharge to you for purchasing worthless carbon credits and contributing a pittance to UNICEF.

[paulw]

That's even better than the first one..

[Dr Mordrid]

Ford + Microsoft....

Nissan + BP....

Better Place (govt interest - needs standard battery form factors).....

not to mention consortiums with US DOT and power utility participation, especially as regards 'smart meters' go. No shortage of ideas and cross-pollination.