michail71

So I just got my car back from the dealer. They wound up replacing the head unit control assembly and the NTG 4.5 core.

When I was checking the system out I discovered the online portion actually worked. I can access the MB apps and the web browser (which favors German sites). About the only useful things seem to be the Yelp and Here integration with the map and phone. Web browsing on a car seems like a nightmare otherwise.

I just thought it was odd since there are many threads on here involving people trying to turn this feature on. I had tried before by enabling it in the engineering menu without any luck.

michail71

Ok, I'm a little confused by this as the online portion is working without my phone even being connected. But what I'm reading about it seems to indicate it works through phone tethering.

I noticed the route guidance is a little different too. After some research it appears to be an NTG 4.7.

xEryx

The option was always available to you in the Engineering Menu, it is just deactivated by default. 2013+ W204 are all NTG4.7

michail71

My car was made in 4/13 so it probably came with the older model. I did all the engineering menu settings on the DIYs that I could find for my older one but they never did anything.

I'm still confused as to where the data is coming from. Without any phone attached it's online. I shut my phone off and was able to execute google searches and use the built in Yelp to start navigation routes. It's not like Mercedes to give any kind of service away for free. The only thing I can think of is that it uses the same network as mbrace.

jlr82

It does use the same "telematics" system as mbrace and that is where your data connection is coming from. I don't know how it all works and I don't have COMAND, but I've read a little about how the data was all connected through the same cellular connection that mbrace uses.

michail71

And they just let you use it for free-ish? Even the dealership guys seemed confused it was pulling data.

Yelp and Here are useful if not buried. It almost gives the navigation system some smartphone competition. But web browsing on a car is mostly torture.

jlr82

I found on the URL below that depending on when your car was manufactured depends on whether this would tether with an external device or not.

"Command 4.7 or 2nd generation of command NTG4.5 was installed in vehicles from June 2013 onwards. It now supports direct tethering of iPhone / iOS Devices / Android OS to support the internet function which was not previously possible with these devices."

https://smartworldcompany.com/how-to...mercedes-benz/

michail71

I've seen that description too. But it doesn't seem to have Internet radio. There are some subtle differences compare to my prior unit from 4/13.