WEB DESK: A recent poll by Android Authority asked users if they would buy a Tesla smartphone. The results showed that 77 per cent of respondents would not purchase the phone, 8 per cent said it would depend on the price, and 15 per cent responded with a firm “yes, absolutely.”
Rumours of a Tesla smartphone have been circulating for years, but CEO Elon Musk addressed the topic in a recent interview. Speaking to comedian Joe Rogan on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Musk said, “No, we’re not doing a phone.”
He acknowledged that Tesla might be in a better position to create a non-Android, non-iOS smartphone than other companies due to its software capabilities but confirmed that it was not something they were planning to do.
“It’s not something we want to do unless we have to,” Musk explained. He said Tesla might consider entering the smartphone market only if companies like Apple and Google began imposing harmful practices, such as excessive censorship or acting as gatekeepers in a negative way.
It’s important to note that regulatory agencies, particularly in the European Union, have already classified Apple and Google as gatekeepers to varying degrees within the smartphone industry.
Tesla’s cars feature an advanced entertainment system that provides access to various apps and games, suggesting that this software could form the basis of a non-Android phone. Tesla could potentially leverage SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network for connectivity. The company is already testing a direct-to-cell service for texting and emergency alerts.
But, creating a new smartphone platform outside of Android and iOS is easier said than done. Microsoft faced challenges with its Windows Phone platform, struggling to attract developers. A similar obstacle could arise for Tesla.
Even if Tesla opted to use a modified version of Android, like Amazon did with its Fire Phone in 2014, success isn’t guaranteed. Despite Amazon’s advantages, the Fire Phone flopped, although its Fire OS continues to be used in other Amazon devices.
Millions of Apple users have remained loyal to the brand due to iMessage, which now supports modern texting protocols between iPhones and Android phones. This could be another hurdle for Tesla.
Lastly, Musk’s management of Twitter, which has reportedly seen a decline in value since his acquisition, might also raise concerns about Tesla’s ability to launch a successful smartphone.
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