Mercedes rolls out iPhone integration
While many carmakers have worked seemless iPod integration into their vehicles – a surprising make-it-or-break-it factor for many buyers – Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will offer iPhone integration in its automobiles.
The feature will include a docking cradle in the center armrest between the driver and front passenger seats, with the device's phone and audio functions navigable via controls on the steering wheel. The kit will be offered starting in August, can be retrofitted to previous model-year vehicles and will be offered on new vehicles as an option. Although US pricing has yet to be announced, the feature costs the equivalent of $389 in Europe.
[Source: KickingTires]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris 8:39AM (6/25/2008)
thats pretty slick
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Justin 8:47AM (6/25/2008)
Sweet, with the $200 I'm saving on the new iPhone I can now afford the Mercedes.
Oh wait, no I can't.
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Shawn 8:58AM (6/25/2008)
silly, silly , silly...I'm guessing 1 in 1000 Merc owners have an iphone...
What about my more useful and equally imporant PocketPC phone and the 101 OTHER versions of this buy OTHER makers...
silly, silly, silly...
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Dude 9:31AM (6/25/2008)
If they did that, the Press wouldn't report on it.
Scott Eaton 12:40PM (6/25/2008)
Your PocketPC isn't an iPod like the iPhone is. The accessories market for the iPod (and thus iPhone) family is outrageously popular, especially the standardized interface.
Kitko 8:58AM (6/25/2008)
Finally something reasonable coming out from Mercedes.
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elindiano 9:22AM (6/25/2008)
im pretty sure i saw that offered on the new 3 series on bmwusa.com
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Mel. R 9:29AM (6/25/2008)
And yet another car maker thinks we're all iSheep.
Rather unfortunate, if you ask me.
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Pacman 10:31AM (6/25/2008)
Just dont get it as an option if you dont have an iPhone. It is available to the many people that do have an iPhone that want it. Obviously, the iPhone is popular enough that it make integration options a good idea.
Scott Eaton 12:43PM (6/25/2008)
It's only unfortunate if you *buy* the option and lack an industry-leading device. When a product (e.g. the iPod/iPhone interface standard) owns well over 80% of the entire market for portable music, it's not bloody unfortunate that a company see that marketshare and react with products the owners *want*. Of course, if you're just being a stupid fanboi, then by all means, whine away.
Now see here.. 1:52AM (6/27/2008)
you are a sheep..
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y08pJiNS8mk&feature=related
Blaine Decker 9:53AM (6/25/2008)
Pretty big waste of space if you don't have an iphone.
at least make the spot usable for other stuff too. Like for hidding your pet rocks, or a cool looking acorn you find, maybe they can even make it usable for my high tech device that I have been using long before the iphone, something that never requires recharging, and never has glitches, pen and paper.
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BlackCanary 10:28AM (6/25/2008)
You can never have enough spots for you're cool looking acorns. I am thinking this is an option so if you do not have an iPhone, you just dont go for this option.
IvanDrago 10:23AM (6/25/2008)
Good move for Daimler--within next year half of mercedes buyers will carry an iPhone.
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Rick 10:46AM (6/25/2008)
iPhones are all the rage in Europe. This union, and others to follow, now makes sense.
BlackCanary 10:33AM (6/25/2008)
crap! - "your acorns, not you are acorns"
Keat 10:29AM (6/25/2008)
Sweet...
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Chris 12:05AM (6/30/2008)
I'm really quite amazed at how this little rectangle of technology has been gifted with its own throne in so many vehicles. A "make-it-or-break-it factor" pretty much sums it up.
Mr. Jobs surely must be proud.
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Petr 7:23PM (7/12/2008)
I just connect my iPhone 3G to iPod connector in my merc and by surprise you still can listen and search music through your console wheel. Merc phone of course not working but i believe its everything to do with Merc software; simple update should make iPhone be able to be used with iPod connector, in terms of calling through your console as well.
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mojomk 12:19PM (7/21/2008)
With my original iphone the Mercedes doc connector gave control through my console in addition to powering the iphone. But now with the new 3g version, I have lost the ability to power the iphone. Is anyone else having this problem?