Apple's rumoured electric car keeps is getting closer to being a reality, but don't expect to pick one up at the Apple Store any time soon, and maybe get your Apple Pay in good shape first, because it'll cost a lot and may not have all the tech you expect.
We've had fun with our guesswork over the years, postulating how the Apple car would work and even how an Apple car survey revealed it's more popular than other e-car brands even before it's a real thing. Now, according to a Bloomberg report, Apple's car is delayed until 2026, may not feature self-drive technology, and will cost less than $100,000.
Earlier conjecture suggested Apple's car would release in 2025, so this delay will disappoint many but the price combined with predictions of fewer features and less tech is the eye-catching headline. Bloomberg reports Apple's car will have conventional features such as a steering wheel and pedals, but will lack full self-drive technology.
That's not to say Apple is dropping self-drive altogether, which will use Lidar and radar sensors as opposed to AI controlled cameras, just that it's not prepared to hand over full control to the car to its AI system, codenamed Denali. This processor is said to be as powerful as four M2 chips combined, according to Bloomberg.
But, oh boy, that price. Despite lowering cost expectations from above $120,000 to just under $100,000 Apple's rumoured car will still be more expensive than most electric cars – a Tesla Model 3, for example, is $44,990 / £49,490. And in a way you could be getting less tech and fewer features as total self-driving is off the dashboard.
Read more:
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- This Apple car patent could disappoint
- The Apple AR VR headset may finally be announced
