isd503

I am fortunate today; it came standard with my 2020 E-450. It requires a cable though and does not work wirelessly. However, if MB starts charging for this, let's hope it's to try and cover some ridiculous fee Apple may be charging them, and not just trying to bilk customers in some scheme to generate new revenue.

Tuxdude

BMW realized that this subscription based CarPlay was such a bad idea and did a full-180 on this one to make it free and remove all subscription costs for 2019 and 2020 models.

https://www.motor1.com/news/386201/b...-carplay-free/

2012 merc amg

Well thats good, at least they did not start a trend they were probably hoping to do.

Cao Black

Does anyone know (for sure) whether Apple and/ or Android charge the car manufacturers, either a one-time or subscription basis. No disrespect, but subscription is the latest trend and Mercedes will follow BMW as soon as they feel safe to do so. Call me cynical but be ready for phase two, which will be automatic renewal if you don't opt out.

Tuxdude

Not sure if you checked out the recent post, but BMW has taken a back step and made it free-for-all without any subscription for MY 2019 and MY 2020 vehicles. https://www.motor1.com/news/386201/b...-carplay-free/

Neither, Google nor Apple charge manufacturers for Android Auto / CarPlay integration. However manufacturers will incur integration R&D costs, which manufacturers try to amortize by doing this integration with their platform once and sharing this across all models using that platform.

Cao Black

Thanks for the update. I did say "feel safe", and apparently MB was happy (and wise) to watch BMW be the guinea pig. Manufacturers will find a different way to cover their costs. What was curious to me was the need to renew the service. Were BMW customers outraged about the initial "Sticker Price" charge, or the fact that it had to be renewed every year?