What is next for this cutting-edge technologies mogul? We can’t be certain. Apple’s not talking. Not even close. However the public is not completely in the dark.

WHAT WE KNOW:

Apple joins the Dow Jones Industrial Average, an exclusive 30-company market, later this month. At nearly $740 billion, it’s a move that makes sense.

WHAT IT COULD  MEAN:

Volkswagon, the world’s leading automaker, has a value of nearly $408 billion, meaning Apple has not only the money but also the investor support required for a bold move into the automotive industry. Apple is predicted by many financial experts to top $1 trillion in the next few years. An amount of capital unseen by current automakers. The leaps in technology that could be made are almost unfathomable

WHAT WE KNOW:

Having squirmed into your center-console recently with Apple CarPlay, the company has been setting the stage. It has also been hiring engineers from Tesla as well as engineers of lithium ion batteries.

WHAT THIS COULD MEAN:

Without direct word from Apple, it’s hard to tell exactly. The battery engineers could point towards building car batteries; the Tesla engineer hirings suggest more though. Apple may look to become a top dog in the growing electric car niche.

WHAT WE KNOW:

A dark blue Dodge minivan with what camera equipment on the roof has been spotted on the streets in California. The equipment draws striking resemblance to a YouTube video of a prototype test driving vehicle.KPIX 5 of Concord, California reports was in fact leased by Apple. Again the mogul stays tight-lipped.

WHAT THIS COULD MEAN:

Due to the fact that Apple does not have a permit to test self-driving vehicles, It could be ruled out that Apple is testing their own self-driving prototypes. This does not rule out the possibility of a partnership of some sort. Then again, maybe they are just working on cutting edge car apps for its application library.

Even Apple’s co-founder Steve Wozniak, an owner of one Tesla’s Model S P85D electric car, doesn’t know what his former brain-child is up to. He wasn’t afraid to tell the Australian Financial Review that he is in fact in favor of Apple developing an electric car. Secrets can’t stay buried for long, not in the 21st century.

With all facts taken into consideration, Apple could easily rule the automotive industry. This is a simple conclusion due to the fact that Apple possesses the rare kind of customer loyalty that will inspire them to take a product off the shelf by brand alone. Not many auto companies have that sort of loyalty. Finding a way to transfer that loyalty into the automotive industry is pivotal in this process. Apple’s track record shows that this move will most likely be applauded in ten years.