[Swordmaker]

Yeah, a car seems a bit far afield from their present business. Whatever it is, though ... in order for Apple to be following the same pattern it always has ... it has to be “hardware” ... which is then supported by their software.

• In 2001, a music player was far afield from their core computer business.
• In 2003, an online music store was far afield from the core computer and music player business.
• In 2007, a cellular phone was far afield from the core expertise in computers and cellular phones.
• In 2014, credit card payment systems were far afield from their core business competence.
• In 2015, a Watch is far afield from the core business . . .
• and in 2016, a car is far afield from. . .

rinse, repeat. . . ad infinitum

[Star Traveler]

I’ll be amazed, but then again, I’m still amazed with the iPhone and iPad.

[Lockbox]

Must look for the revenue generation possibilities:

music player - music became digital and the player was the revenue generator.

online music store - digital music sales became the revenue generator.

a cellular phone - really a smart phone (computer that also was a phone) the hardware was the revenue generator until the App Store gathered steam.

credit card payment systems - people wanting the convenience of the smart phone allowing payment will be one source of revenue, with others developing. Remember that all credit card charges are digital. So digital shopping, digital payment, digit smart phone.

Watch - I'm not sold on this one.... will have to see how this one pans out.

2016, a car is far afield from - what is the revenue flow from digital hardware or software (includes music, shopping or any other thing which can be digitized) in the car market? Apple does not recreate the wheel, they either create a new wheel so to speak or vastly improve an existing product.

Great feedback from everyone on this topic. We all will be guessing until Apple surprise all of us, but we all will have fun trying to figure out the plan!