*By Carlo Versano*
Buried in a recent [Information](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/waymos-big-ambitions-slowed-by-tech-trouble) report about Waymo's struggles in the self-driving car space was a new bit of intel on Apple's ambitions in the auto world:
"Apple, which is working on its own self-driving car, recently set up a facility for testing prototype vehicles near Surprise, Ariz., west of Phoenix, according to a person briefed about the matter."
And while it's been rumored for some time that the iPhone maker has been exploring entering the car industry, HyperChange TV's Galileo Russell points out details are up for debate. Some analysts think the company would be more likely to build an operating system for an electric car, though not the car itself. But even that theory flies in the face of a basic tenet of Apple's business model, Russell said.
"They're a hardware company ... If they're going to make a move here, they would actually just build it all themselves."
Rumors of Apple's interest in building an electric car re-emerged with a vengeance when it poached Tesla's head engineer, Doug Field, earlier this month.
On Tuesday, the Apple Insider blog [posted](https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/08/28/apple-researching-refinements-to-sunroofs-seating-for-project-titan-car) what it said were patents filed by Apple that show it's actively working on physical automobile systems, such as sunroof and seat designs.
Russell said he sees a day where it's Apple and Tesla versus everyone else in the auto industry. "If I was GM or Ford, I'd be very, very worried about those two companies."
Earlier this month Ming-Chi Kuo, a prolific Apple analyst, [predicted](https://www.digit.in/vr-ar/apple-car-to-make-apple-2-trillion-company-claims-ming-chi-kuo-42890.html) that the 'Apple Car' will launch between 2023 and 2025 and will be the catalyst to give the company a $2 trillion valuation.
But Russell actually thinks the company will get there based on the strength of its services component alone.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/prospects-for-an-apple-car).
Low-value imports are losing their duty-free status in the U.S. this week as part of President Donald Trump's agenda for making the nation less dependent on foreign goods. A widely used customs exemption for international shipments worth $800 or less is set to end starting on Friday. Trump already ended the “de minimis” rule for inexpensive items sent from China and Hong Kong, but having to pay import taxes on small parcels from everywhere else likely will be a big change for some small businesses and online shoppers. Purchases that previously entered the U.S. without needing to clear customs will be subject to the origin country’s tariff rate, which can range from 10% to 50%.
Southwest Airlines will soon require plus-size travelers to pay for an extra seat in advance if they can't fit within the armrests of one seat. This change is part of several updates the airline is making. The new rule starts on Jan. 27, the same day Southwest begins assigning seats. Currently, plus-size passengers can pay for an extra seat in advance and later get a refund, or request a free extra seat at the airport. Under the new policy, refunds are still possible but not guaranteed. Southwest said in a statement it is updating policies to prepare for assigned seating next year.
Cracker Barrel is sticking with its new logo. For now. But the chain is also apologizing to fans who were angered when the change was announced last week.
Elon Musk on Monday targeted Apple and OpenAI in an antitrust lawsuit alleging that the iPhone maker and the ChatGPT maker are teaming up to thwart competition in artificial intelligence.
Hear from Gabino & Stephen Roche on Saphyre’s institutional AI platform that centralizes pre‑ and post‑trade data, redefining settlement speed and accuracy.
Elon Musk’s X has reached a tentative settlement with former employees of the company then known as Twitter who’d sued for $500 million in severance pay.
