Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[LA 2009: Hands-on with Hughes and Mercedes-Benz's new telematics apps]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/la-2009-hands-on-with-mercedes-benz-new-telematics-apps/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/la-2009-hands-on-with-mercedes-benz-new-telematics-apps/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/la-2009-hands-on-with-mercedes-benz-new-telematics-apps/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Hughes Telematics recently announced its partnership with Mercedes-Benz on the automaker's new line of "mbrace" mobile telematics solutions. The system, which connects mbrace-equipped vehicles with an app installed on the user's Apple iPhone or RIM Blackberry, allows people to lock and unlock their doors, contact roadside assistance, get in touch with a local dealer or find their vehicle in a crowded parking lot. It's a relatively trick technology that we spent some time with at the LA Auto Show, and there's plenty of potential on the horizon.

Continue reading LA 2009: Hands-on with Hughes and Mercedes-Benz's new telematics apps

LA 2009: Hands-on with Hughes and Mercedes-Benz's new telematics apps originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 la auto show2009LaAutoShowhughes telematicsHughesTelematicslala 2009la auto showla showLa2009LaAutoShowLaShowmbracemercedes-benzThu, 03 Dec 2009 19:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz and Hughes release app-based "mbrace" telematics for iPhone, Blackberry]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/mercedes-benz-and-hughes-release-app-based-mbrace-telematics-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/mercedes-benz-and-hughes-release-app-based-mbrace-telematics-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/17/mercedes-benz-and-hughes-release-app-based-mbrace-telematics-f/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mercedes-Benz has teamed up with Hughes Telematics to begin offering a new system that allows drivers to enable dozens of their vehicles features with their Apple iPhone or Blackberry.

Dubbed "mbrace," the telematics setup covers everything from locking and unlocking doors to contacting roadside assistance and pinpointing an mbrace-equipped Mercedes-Benz in a parking lot.

The system will be included on all new Mercedes products, and current customers with the automaker's outgoing Tele Aid system are eligible to retrofit their aging Mercs with mbrace. The technology could also be used to stream music from the web, upload video content and connect to users PCs, however, that's further down the road. The system is available now for $280 a year, and you can get all the details in the press release below the fold.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz and Hughes release app-based "mbrace" telematics for iPhone, Blackberry

Mercedes-Benz and Hughes release app-based "mbrace" telematics for iPhone, Blackberry originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blackberryhughes telematicsHughesTelematicsiPhonembracemercedesMercedes Benzmercedes-benzMercedesBenztelematicsTue, 17 Nov 2009 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Hughes Telematics and Chrysler relationship looks to be over]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/20/hughes-telematics-and-chrysler-relationship-looks-to-be-over/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/20/hughes-telematics-and-chrysler-relationship-looks-to-be-over/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/20/hughes-telematics-and-chrysler-relationship-looks-to-be-over/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



Back in 2008 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, we got to spend some time in a Jeep Grand Cherokee outfitted with a bunch of technogoodies from Hughes Telematics. And again at this year's CES, Hughes let us play with even cooler stuff in a Dodge Journey. They bragged of downloadable apps for your Chrysler-branded vehicle and super-cool, futuristic travel guides from your in-dash nav system. Stuff that might convince someone to actually purchase a Journey.

But, alas, since then, Chrysler went bankrupt and it seems the company's relationship with Hughes soured. In an official statement Hughes tells Autoblog:
New Chrysler introduced additional business terms that were not part of either the prior business discussions or the original arrangement. As a result, we reached an impasse in the negotiations and are ceasing our work with new Chrysler to deploy our hardware and launch our services with them in the fourth quarter of 2009, as was previously planned.
That's okay, Hughes says, because they still have Mercedes-Benz as a customer, and they don't need Chrysler anymore. We're not financial experts by any means, but as we stumbled through the SEC report, it was obvious Hughes had invested a lot of time, money and emotions into making things work with Chrysler and that it might take a while to get over losing the bond they once cherished.

In any case, you can read the SEC filing for yourself here or check out Hughes' full official statement to Autoblog after the jump. Thanks for the tip, MBAcurafan!


Gallery: Hughes Telematics at CES 2008


[Source: SEC.gov]

Continue reading Hughes Telematics and Chrysler relationship looks to be over

Hughes Telematics and Chrysler relationship looks to be over originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2008Ces2008ces2009chryslerhughes telematicsHughesTelematicsSECSecurities and exchange commsecurities and exchange commissionSecuritiesAndExchangeCommsecuritiesandexchangecommissionuconnectThu, 20 Aug 2009 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Hughes Telematics working on downloadable apps for vehicles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/19/hughes-telematics-working-on-downloadable-apps-for-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/19/hughes-telematics-working-on-downloadable-apps-for-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/19/hughes-telematics-working-on-downloadable-apps-for-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: ,

What's good for the iPhone is apparently good for the sedan. Hughes Telematics is working up a suite of programs that will work with its in-car communications technology and allow you to download applications for your car. From tailored data collection to controlling your car's systems with your phone to repurposing your car's features, the possibilities will turn your humble transport into the ultimate programmable appliance when Hughes releases the software to be ready in 2010. Let the betting begin on how long it will take someone to make an app that makes your car fart.

[Source: New York Times]

Hughes Telematics working on downloadable apps for vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsgadgetshugheshughes telematicsHughesTelematicsiphonetechtechnologytelematicsThu, 19 Feb 2009 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[CES 2009: Dodge Journey to get OnStar-like features this summer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/13/ces-2009-dodge-journey-to-get-onstar-like-features-this-summer/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/13/ces-2009-dodge-journey-to-get-onstar-like-features-this-summer/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/13/ces-2009-dodge-journey-to-get-onstar-like-features-this-summer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



On our final night in Vegas, Hughes Telematics invited us over to talk about their work in... well... telematics. Among their demo vehicles was a Dodge Journey outfitted with what is essentially Chrysler's version of OnStar. The Journey will be Chrysler's first product with the service and should be available this summer.

We're not certain what name the new service will get, but it essentially offers the same basic services General Motors' vehciles have. Press a button on the rearview mirror and talk with an assistant at Hughes' own call center to unlock doors and provide directions. The system will also alert rescue agencies of an crash.

Pricing and exact date of availability are both unknown. Hughes reps said that their company is in talks with Chrysler to develop much more elaborate systems with many more features, some of which we were able to check out. We'll be able to post more on that later. But until then you can refresh on what Hughes Telematics told us at CES 2008.

CES 2009: Dodge Journey to get OnStar-like features this summer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dodge journeydodge telematicsDodgeJourneyDodgeTelematicshugheshughes telematicsHughesTelematicsonstartelematicsTue, 13 Jan 2009 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[In Depth: Hughes Telematics plans to outdo OnStar and SYNC]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/24/in-depth-hughes-telematics-planning-to-outdo-onstar-and-sync/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/24/in-depth-hughes-telematics-planning-to-outdo-onstar-and-sync/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/24/in-depth-hughes-telematics-planning-to-outdo-onstar-and-sync/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Back in December, Hughes Telematics announced it would be providing technology for use in Mercedes vehicles, and they also worked out a deal with Chrysler the prior January. Hughes says its telematics system will one day be standard on all Chrysler products, and that the company hopes to expand beyond Mercedes and Chrysler, as well. "Hughes is talking to every OEM except General Motors," we were told.

To show off what's in store for future car buyers, Hughes brought a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee to CES in Las Vegas this year packed full of its in-development technology, and we got a chance to check it out. Its system offers much of what Ford and GM can already do, but with promises of more, more, more. Kevin Link, Hughes' vice president said, "We are Ford's SYNC and OnStar plus."

So, yeah, there's nav and voice-controlled iPod integration. But there's also remote diagnostics, the ability to start your car with your mobile phone, remote emissions testing and GPS tracking. And you're right. That's a nice list of features, but where's the good stuff? That list is after the jump.

Gallery: Hughes Telematics at CES 2008

Continue reading In Depth: Hughes Telematics plans to outdo OnStar and SYNC

In Depth: Hughes Telematics plans to outdo OnStar and SYNC originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrysler telematicsChryslerTelematicsHughes TelematicsHughesTelematicsmercedes telematicsMercedesTelematicstelematicsThu, 24 Jan 2008 18:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Hughes to supply telematic systems to Mercedes-Benz North America]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/04/hughes-to-supply-telematic-systems-to-mercedes-benz-north-americ/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/04/hughes-to-supply-telematic-systems-to-mercedes-benz-north-americ/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/04/hughes-to-supply-telematic-systems-to-mercedes-benz-north-americ/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As suspected, Hughes Telematics announced today that it would be supplying Mercedes-Benz with a new hardware and software platform that will bring in-car navigation, safety and infotainment to the next level. The press release after the jump doesn't get into a lot of detail about what new features await Benz buyers when the system is implemented in 2009, but with Mercedes' consistent focus to provide its owners with the most high-tech, gee-wiz gadgetry, we're sure it will be suitably impressive. Hughes boasts that the new, open architecture is capable of receiving constant updates, allowing the system to evolve as new applications become available. Hughes has also been tapped to provide Chrysler with a similar system, due out around the same time.

Continue reading Hughes to supply telematic systems to Mercedes-Benz North America

Hughes to supply telematic systems to Mercedes-Benz North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benzhuges telematicsHugesTelematicshughes telematicsHughesTelematicsmercedesmercedes benzmercedes benz hughes telematicsmercedes-benzMercedesBenzMercedesBenzHughesTelematicsTue, 04 Dec 2007 19:32:00 EST<![CDATA[New system combines features of OnStar and Sync]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/03/new-system-combines-features-of-onstar-and-sync-coming-to-chrys/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/03/new-system-combines-features-of-onstar-and-sync-coming-to-chrys/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/03/new-system-combines-features-of-onstar-and-sync-coming-to-chrys/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We're not going out on a limb by saying that the future of in-car technology is connecting all our electronic detritus into a cohesive network. Ford's Sync system has already made that possible on many fronts and GM's OnStar has set a new standard for safety, navigation and communication. Atlanta-based Hughes Telematics is announcing a new system that will fuse both of those systems into a comprehensive whole and selling a subscription service akin to OnStar's arrangement.

The Hughes setup will integrate turn-by-turn navigation, voice commands for phones and iPods, plus provide emergency and roadside assistance. Additionally, it will allow users to purchase certain features - from directions to songs from Sirius - on an ala carte basis, neglecting the need to spend extra cash each month for products you rarely use. The system will also integrate with the vehicle's ECU to allow diagnosis and problem solving that could avoid a trip to the dealer.

Hughes will be releasing all the information about the new system, including the details on it partnership with Chrysler (announced earlier this year) and a major luxury brand, later this week.

[Source: Freep]

New system combines features of OnStar and Sync originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslerhugheshughes telematicsHughesTelematicsonstarsyncMon, 03 Dec 2007 08:26:00 EST