104: Apple C(ar)mputer - why Apple should be thinking micromobility, not automobility

On this episode, Horace joins Oliver on the show to talk about what an entry by Apple into the mobility market would look like, and why a car is perhaps the wrong form factor to be looking at. They talk through the growth prospects for micromobility, and why Apple’s entry into the market would be a meaningful contribution to the world of mobility. This is on the back of Horace’s post ‘Apple Computer’ published on the Micromobility Industries blog recently. Check it out here: https://micromobility.io/blog/2021/1/11/apple-computerSpecifically they dig into: - The parts of the upcoming Micromobility World conference that Horace is most excited about- The size of the car market vs the micromobility market as it currently stands- Where the margins lie- Why Apple has typically entered into industries that are still ‘embryonic’- What a meaningful contribution could look like and what technologies would materially affect the user experience- The constraints of infrastructure on useability and the ‘feel’ of a vehicle- How computation becomes more personal over time, and why that will apply to vehicles too- The revisit Microsoft’s decision in the 90’s to get into the lounge, and why that was the wrong question. - Horace coins the term ‘smartphone-y’Thanks again to the sponsors of this episode, Christensen Group. Christensen Group, a lead player in the micromobility insurance category. As the micromobility space continues to grow around the world with a diverse spectrum of business models, Christensen Group continues to be a leader in the space servicing: e-scooter, moped, motorcycle, e-bike sharing operations along with: subscription & private based programs,  manufacturers, AI technology providers and more. They will have a virtual booth at this year’s Micromobility World event on January 27-29.  They invite you to stop by and have a chat with them about safety, fundraising, regulatory requirements, and trends in the risk and insurance marketplace, or whatever else is on your mind. They’re also going to have folks from Zagster, ZipCar, Ford Mobility, and others dropping by their booth to discuss litigation trends, regulatory missteps, fundraising and start-up strategies, and more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit micromobility.substack.com/subscribe