Motorola Update!!!!!
Hannover, Germany, CeBIT – 14 March 2003 -- With the introduction of a new product that will be available in Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the CLK, SL, C and M series from June 2003, the automotive division of Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) has once again proven its competence in the development and supply of high-quality automobile electronics.
For the first time, Mercedes will be providing a Universal Handy Interface (in brief: UHI) developed by Motorola. This will make it possible to use mobile telephones from various leading manufacturers in one vehicle. The mobile is placed in a special cradle which is connected with the telephone control unit. When purchasing a new mobile phone, customers can obtain the appropriate cradle from Mercedes-Benz Accessories and exchange it easily themselves.
This means that the mobile phone is linked with the on-board network and can be operated using the multi-functional steering wheel, hands-free system and COMAND. An additional display system (combi-display) on the dashboard ensures optimum operating comfort. Reading and editing SMS messages is problem-free using the COMAND operating and display system. The hands-free system operates using the vehicle's on-board audio system which provides improved speech quality thanks to the integrated microphone underneath the interior roof light.
Installation of the Universal Handy Interface into other Mercedes-Benz automobile series is planned for 2004.
Consider that the current Nokia-based solution in use in the European market allows use of a wide variety of Nokia phones, yet the US market gets a choice of one phone and no retrofit to older models.
-s-
I'm having a Cellport install done in May, as soon as the Nextel i90 cradle is released.
The Mercedes kit by Motorola works only with the v.60 because of the software. Also, the Mercedes wiring is all fiber optics. Change that, and you lose functions.
Motorola licensed Cellport's technology beginning in mid 2002. Cellport's technology was so advanced compared to similar technologies available in the marketplace that it was overwhelmed with OEM orders for custom tailored products that it could not supply. To meet demand, Cellport entered into the Motorola licensing agreement (and several others as well). After considering the outright sale of manufacturing rights to its technology, Cellport chose instead to employ contract manufacturers to meet its manufacturing demands.
If your interested in reading about the challenges in managing explosive growth, reviewing the press releases of Cellport really provides an interesting case study.
The link below is to a press release discussing the Motorola/Cellport licensing agreement.
Your absolutely right about the Cellport aftermarket kits not having all of the functionality of the MB supplied V60. Given the many tales of woe owners of cars with OEM Timeport or even older analog phones have posted, the tradeoff here is some functionality today for the ability to upgrade phones tomorrow.
http://www.itsa.org/ITSNEWS.NSF/9a6e...c?OpenDocument
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Thank you, very infomative. I will read the article. I just ordered the Motorola kit for my S500, to be delivered June 1. I am always on the phone due to my job, and the functions are great.
But, I know I'll have a headache down the road. I feel my options are small. I went to my local shop, and we tried to fit the cellport holster inside the armrest. Not.
Taurian.
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