Borussia

Hi, have a 2015 C300 without nav & can't get Android Auto to show on the display - Is there sort of easy way to do it?

Mike5215

Android Auto/CarPlay aren't supported in the 205 (at least in the US, not sure about other markets).

ManiacGT

To my knowledge no C class supports android auto or CarPlay.

Thlian

​​​​​​......yet

ItchyTasty

check these out

Mike5215

The 205 isn't listed as compatible. Actually another member took a shot at ordering the module anyway and letting the dealer install. Installation failed MB verification. No go.

Thlian

My dealer checked with the importer and said there will might be a smartphone integration with Audio20 earliest in october this year. Don't think we will se anything of significanse before 19 model/facelift. Then there might be possible for assistance package with exterior amg on C350e on the 19 model. Only thing they know for sure is that there will be Multibeam on the facelift. New 205 scheduled in 2020/21

Boofhead

Android Auto is a menu option in the E300 2017 (Australia) but so far I can see little reason to use it. The mapping never finds legitimate addresses, the look is terrible, but it can play music from your phone & dial numbers but what's the point?

Mike5215

Honestly I've never understood the intense interest and disappointment over the lack of Android Auto/CarPlay. For me, whenever reading a post about it, it helps to mentally substitute the phrase "Free Blow-Jobs For Life" for any instance of "Android Auto" or "CarPlay". Then the post suddenly makes sense.

Like:

The ONLY reason I got the C Class was the availability of free blow jobs for life!

See?

Boofhead

Further "experimentation" shows that Android Auto via Bluetooth has very limited options but I realised that it should be connected via a USB port. I'll keep an open mind but I can't see that it does anything that isn't already done by the command system?

yjchua

Simple - COMAND is just godawful to use. It's so bloody clunky and I'd rather use CarPlay anytime.

Mike5215

Unfortunately I don't think CarPlay/AA will be packaged with COMAND. It looks as though it'll be available on the Audio20, probably in lieu of the Garmin navi chip.

Boofhead

Maybe different in Australia but AA & CarPlay are in Command (2017 E300) but really offer very little that Command doesn't already have & does it better.

yjchua

For NTG5.2 systems in the W205, W222 and X/C253, no dice. MBUSA's X253 MY18 dealer ordering guide said that CarPlay/AA (Smartphone Integration Package) cannot be fitted with COMAND Online.

Strangely enough, the NTG5.1 modules used in the facelifted MFA platform vehicles have CarPlay/AA support. And of course, the NTG5.5 system in the W213 has CarPlay/AA too.

yjchua

Only in the E-class mate.

I live in Melbourne. See my post above.

COMAND Online on one car isn't the same as COMAND Online on another car. My W213 E400 and GLC43 are comparisons between NTG5.5 and NTG5.2.

Xtrema

I think it's the UI and Voice recognition that people are after. Not the free maps or anything.

For better or worse, if you run on Android and to a degree iOS, the system already learn about your voice, location and patterns and able to suggest things to you that a static system never can. Car manufacturers also are really bad at UIs. I find that I can naturally speak to Google Assistant and get most things right while MB Command require you to learn and saying a bunch of confirmation prompts.

I see Android Auto and Carplay as safety feature as well. If it means locking people out of their phones and focus on the car's infotainment system, we are all safer for it.

End of the day, unless car manufacture want to get into business of making phones, lacking either Carplay or Android Auto will actually mean they are NOT with it and technologically inferior. This is true to the under 30/40 crowd. That's why MB rushed Carplay into A/B/CLA/GLA class. You are not going to get Millennials into your brand without them.

Mike5215

Oh, Mercedes has never had a problem being technologically inferior on entertainment stuff. It's almost a point of pride. I remember when you couldn't get a cup holder in a Benz, because German engineers felt that a driver should not be distracted by beverages at autobahn speeds.

The 2013 S550 didn't have Bluetooth audio for God's sake. But you're right, Millennials are married to their phones and MB needs to catch up. The NTG version that was developed for the 2014 W222 S Class (no CarPlay) happened to be the version that was available for the W205's launch in 2015. Everything that followed got smartphone integration. 2018 C's (builds starting in late summer 2017) apparently can get it though.