The MacRumors Show

72: Former Apple Executive Mike Bell Talks AirPort, CarPlay, and More

Oct 13, 2023

Former Apple Executive Mike Bell talks about the success of the iPhone, Apple's Vision Pro headset, the discontinuation of AirPort, integrating Apple CarPlay in Lucid vehicles, working at Apple in the 1990s and 2000s, and the similarities between Lucid and Apple's approach to hardware and software.

35:31

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Episode guests

Mike Bell

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Mike Bell reflects on the success and evolution of the iPhone, highlighting its impact and advancements over time.

Bell discusses the importance of having a clear vision and aligning efforts towards a common goal for creating a successful company, based on his experience at Apple during the transformative period.

Deep dives

Mike Bell's Career at Apple and Lucid

Mike Bell discusses his experience working at Apple from 1991 to 2007, where he contributed to the development of iconic products such as the iPhone, iMac, and airport. He also highlights his current role as the Senior Vice President of Digital at Lucid, where he oversees the digital architecture, low voltage architecture, and compute hardware.

Introduction

3min

The Evolution of the iPhone

7min

Apple Vision Pro and Lucid's Use of Digital Tools

13min

Similarities Between Lucid and Apple's Approach to Hardware and Software

4min

Lucid's Future Plans for an Innovative SUV

9min

Lucid Senior Vice President of Digital and former Apple Executive Mike Bell joins us on this week’s episode of The MacRumors Show to discuss the iPhone, AirPort, Vision Pro, CarPlay, and more.
Mike worked at Apple from 1991 to 2007 and played a significant role in development of hardware products like the iPhone, iMac, AirPort, and Apple TV, as well as software features like Bootcamp. After leaving Apple, he worked at Palm, Intel, and Rivian, and now leads digital at luxury electric automaker Lucid.

We reflect on the success of the iPhone since Mike’s work to deliver the original model and where it stands today. We also look at Apple’s Vision Pro headset and consider whether it will catch on. Mike discusses AirPort, a personal-favorite product that he led, how he feels about its discontinuation, and whether Apple is likely to return to the product line in the future.

We talk through the process and importance of integrating Apple CarPlay in Lucid vehicles, as well as the challenges involved in bringing new digital features to EVs. We also discuss Mike’s experience of working at Apple as a senior decision-maker in the 1990s and 2000s, how the company changed in the formative period in which he was there, similarities between Lucid and Apple, and more.

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The MacRumors Show

72: Former Apple Executive Mike Bell Talks AirPort, CarPlay, and More

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Mike Bell's Career at Apple and Lucid

Favorite Apple Product and the Impact of Airport

Apple's Growth and Transformation under Steve Jobs

Lucid's Approach to Digital Technologies and Customer Experience

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts