Not too long ago, Tim Cook hinted that Apple is working on some amazing products that will be unveiled in the future, revealing the company is also developing some products that have yet to be mentioned in rumors in the press. Recently, however, various reports have taken stabs at what the company might be working on, and Business Insider may have now shed some light on one of them.
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In recent days, unnamed sources claimed the company might be developing its own online search product. Beyond that, however, rumors have also suggested that it’s developing either a Google Street view competitor or even a car of its own.
Business Insider has learned from various sources that Apple indeed may be working on some type of car. One Apple employee said the company is working on an “exciting” car product, replying to speculation that Apple might be making its own self-driving car.
Apparently, employees aren’t just jumping ship from Apple to Tesla, but the other way around also. “Apple’s latest project is too exciting to pass up,” the Apple employee said. “I think it will change the landscape and give Tesla a run for its money.”
It’s not clear what the product is at this time though. But it looks like at least 50 former Tesla employees are currently working at Apple. Most of them specialize in mechanics, manufacturing and robotics, the publication says.
Comparatively, Tesla snatched some 150 people from Apple in the recent past. Currently, Apple is trying to recruit even more Tesla personnel with large signing bonuses and “huge” salary hikes.
The publication also reveals that a current Apple board member, who will step down from the board next month, said last year that Steve Jobs was interested in cars.
“Steve Jobs, if he had lived, was gonna design an iCar,” J. Crew Group CEO and Apple board member Mickey Drexler told Paul Goldberger. “I think cars have an extraordinary opportunity for cool design.”
Drexler said that he criticized the first Tesla model during an Apple board meeting for being ugly, at which point Jobs told him he didn’t get it. Tesla was beautifully designed on the inside, and Jobs said that the company built an entire platform.
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