Just getting something into production is the key with Aptera. It just needs to be "good enough", and they don't need to offer all of these bells and whistles. I think they are still trying to over promise to keep people interested. They need a pared back basic entry level Aptera to just get something on the road. I think once people see them on the road people will want them and the orders will come. Software updates can come later to make it better. Carplay and Auto seem like a no brainer to try and support that.
Aptera should simplify things further and use a nearly off the shelf carplay device as the top of two displays between the vents. You can get a portable carplay device for under $150 and Aptera could use it virtually unmodified (maybe loading screen) then implement the custom stuff on a smaller dedicated screen for hardware control and battery info. This type of design would mean aptera could potentially skip the cellular connection entirely initially.
@@ccibinel Absolutely, keep it simple. They could strip back a lot of long features list items to get a vehicle out and I think people would be thrilled with a base model without many of the bells and whistles. So many people are used to loaded up technoEV's with all kinds of toys and Aptera keeps trying to add stuff to attract that audience, but I think people need to understand we first need to see a good base model to build on and add those nice to have things later.
As Aptera's history shows they will go the route that provides them and their customers with the most bang for their buck in as little time as possible in getting to production. I like that.
On the subject of capital efficiency, using solar not only to power the vehicle but also to power the production facility - thus cutting energy costs associated with running the machines - is another way that Aptera can get this show on the road and it’s also a way to make the ATVM loan application process go more smoothly as a result of said reduced production costs.
I think GM is dropping Carplay/Android Auto support so that owners will be reliant on GM for updates, no doubt on some subscription model that most people will hate.
What I would like to see is CarPlay V2 released as an OS that could technically be installed in most current/recent cars. That way we can just have the choice to pick and let the competition go on. Car software has needed to get better for years.
All great points. I predict Carplay/android auto will soon be gone from premium or main stream automobiles because of the issues that you mentioned. But for a startup or an entry level car, it makes total sense.
All they need is basic Bluetooth audio support. Who needs car play or Android auto? Just mount your phone to the dash and use it like in any other car. It should be easy as pie to get that running.
You intermixed ATVM Loan and ATVM Grant. There is only the the loan, not a grant. The two are hugely different though both have challenging requirements to meet, to be accepted. The ATVM Loan must be paid back. It is a very low interest loan designed to help companies like Aptera create high efficient vehicles. A grant is money that does not have to be paid back to the supplier, in the case the government. The CEC Grant was a $21M grant that is money that must be spent in certain agreed ways. The ATVM Loan is not a blank check for $150M but is multiple checks that depend on the progress being made by the money being supplied. The government wants to ensure they are going to get paid back so they have oversight on things. The 250 page application details where and how the money is to be spent. As far as CarPlay and Android Auto in the Aptera, it makes sense to have both and to use Android Automotive as the base since it supports both CarPlay and Android Auto. It also allows for Aptera to customize certain things that are unique to Aptera.
so happy Carplay and Android is going to be in the vehicle. I think that they will get the full carplay oS. This the the perfect combo for me. Tesla charging , Apple carplay , and daily solar topups.
I am psyched for Android Auto in my Aptera. I hope they put a good processor to run it so it doesn't lag or have issues. Too many cars put in too slow a processor which oftern causes issues with Android Auto in so many cars.
I think that enhanced Air Play from Apple would be scary for most Auto Manufacturers. Especially since us would replace the driver assistant features and controls. Look at what happened when uBer disabled the built in safety features and the vehicle hit and killed a pedestrian few years back.
As a CarPlay user, the ONE issue Aptera needs to figure out is Pre-Conditioning battery. I know my Kia and every other carmaker cannot integrate Waze/Google CarPlay to their batteries. I also believe this is why Tesla does not want to allow CarPlay.
To be honest, I've always liked the "display system" used on the VW Up!, Seat Me, and Skoda Citigo in Europe. These cars aren't available here...because reasons. These "interfaces" would be ideal for me...and probably for me alone, LOL! I would welcome real buttons, knobs and switches for the basic stuff...with the ability to plug in the phone to get the "mandatory" dopey computer screen. Those three cars I mention allow an old coot like me to drive free of screens to concentrate on INSTEAD of driving. In these cars, if the mood ever took me, I could connect my phone and place it into the factory built-in holder on the dash and let the torrent of unnecessary and useless info-clutter flood my overworked eyes and brain. Having lived in this area for over 50 years...I find it impossible for me to get lost...so I don't need navigation or suggestions on where to stop for shopping and all that nonsense. For the past 10 years, I've contented myself with riding my pedal bicycle...with its display-free handlebars, lol! Of all the cars in America, ONLY the Aptera is interesting enough for me to even consider buying as a new car. Otherwise, I'd be content with the late, lamented (again...by ME alone...) display-free Mitsubishi iMIEV. I really enjoy your content...even without...(gasp!)...a skit, lol! Aloha and take care!
So often getting lost in things like the color of the bezel of a computer, rather than the performance and user experience offered by the machine. But this is like being happy that they cured cancer because that will mean that there will be no chance of chemotherapy hair loss in your future. (In other words, focusing on exquisitely minor details, rather than the core benefits...)
I love CarPlay in my model 3, there is a ton of functionality you miss out on if you only use Tesla’s software. Anything from listening to podcasts or finding a radio to listen to on Spotify is much easier and simpler to do with CarPlay. It’s sad when they have all that screen real estate that they can’t design a window for CarPlay/Android Auto.
@@DrTeeHenry yes, Android Automotive (not to be confused with Android Auto) is a full version of android that runs on the car itself. It’s used by Polestar, Volvo, and soon GM
it shouldn't be limited to Apple phone users that would be a disaster. As people who support right to repair apple is the last thing you want integrated into your system.
Maybe Apple can buy Aptera if they fail to get the funding needed for production. The Aptera car has that vibe similar to Apple products. It could fit nicely with Apple's product line. However, I prefer Tesla buying them, I think they have more experience than Apple and would bring Aptera to production faster and cheaper than Apple.
Remember, if you want to buy it, remember to donate, I mean invest in Aptera. I mean.. If they are successful, its like buying a winning lottery ticket.
Car companies who think that they can do better than carplay or android auto are categorically wrong. Just the communication technology proves them wrong: You cannot manage the functions on a phone over bluetooth better than you can over wifi. Even if that wasn't true, the CEOs are asking their company, with at best a 1/10th of the workforce and experience in UI design and programming, to outperform the expertise of the largest companies in existence all off of the backs of software and who attract talent based solely of their reputation. Oh yea, we know how to do software better than google and apple. Plus, if I want to use any app aside from the ones that the car manufacturer has deemed useful on their car, I am out of luck. Car companies used to (and still do!) charge for updates to fix their own product. I do not trust any car company to fix their stuff after I purchase their car, when if I have carplay, it just works automatically. So how in the world should I be able to use my app, like a new GPS, to work with the car? It wont, that's the answer.
Does this mean Aptera will have no GPS or entertainment system and rely on phone for these functions? Is this a vehicle without a radio? Don’t think I will like that.
Android automotive (not android auto) is a full standalone OS which can provide these things but using just carplay/android auto means they can potentially use cheaper devices and avoid having the vehicle have a cellular transmitter.
Carplay delegates your ability to innovate to Apple. So it's not optimal for Tesla who constantly doing their own thing but quite convenience for small company like Aptera.
