jbondox

I'm going to go have to say that some features are cool, but otherwise it looks horridly integrated in the vehicle.

Also is the screen removable? (doubtful)
Remember detachable face aftermarket radios? Well they were a theft deterrent, you park this and someone is going to say, free iPad! Crime has no address, so anywhere you park it, it saying steal me. How much is a window and screen replaced?

I guess if MB wants to dabble with iPhones, they should sell the vehicle with an iPhone. Also they should partner with Apple, Google, blackberry, and Windows to offer a specific tablet that can be detached and used for other situations as work or school.

Further I am sure MB will lock out any 3rd party developed apps that doesn't benefit MB, so they have a say what is displayed and not displayed or what you can use or not use.

I give MB props but not an A. I think they got so caught up that they lost track of the big picture.

jbondox

http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/a...steroid-tablet


2 years old

fabbrisd1

Just so reader's know/understand - it's Apple that sets the ground rules for auto applications including Mercedes Benz - so go rage against the machine at Cupertino - Apple does what it does and really doesn't give much of a hoot what user's have to say...

somersetjon

Removed

JoeMa

With all due respect this thread has nothing to do with Apple versus Samsung or any other phone. There are many other more appropriate forums for such comments.

Those who own iPhones are interested in the prospect of their phone being integrated into the display of their car. That's the focus of this thread.

bud.jones

Actually, CarPlay is not just about Apple products, as it is also referenced as working with Blackberry's OS. I'm not sure how they're doing it, as the Blackberry doesn't run iOS. Stand by for other mobile OS integration in the future.

sharpxia

Yes, Mercedes also claimed that they are also working on a similar Android smartphone integration like the CarPlay. I think it is very nice move since Android now have more market share, and most engineers prefer Android instead because of the open source availability.

JoeMa

CarPlay is only available on Apple iPhones running iOS 7.1 (or later). As far as I can find it is in no way linked to Blackberry.


No doubt Android is hard-at-work on their own version and will likely advertise it as the best, most original in-car integration of a phone. ;-)


Welcome to CAR-WARS episode 1.

bud.jones

That's not technically correct, as pointed out by ZDnet. QNX is what CarPlay rides to get into the infotainment systems - it (QNX) acts as middleware. Expect to see the QNX middleware solution for both Android and Windows Phone OS (I'm not sure if that's still their name for it). Apple wants to get everyone onboard with CarPlay and QNX is providing the solution for non-iOS platforms.

JoeMa

I'm not sure which part of my statement is "technically incorrect". You said "CarPlay is not just about Apple products". I was hoping to clarify that CarPlay is only available on Apple iPhone's regardless of the interface (QNX) used to send video to the cars head unit. I'm not trying to split hairs just wanted to make sure readers understand that CarPlay is an iPhone only solution.

bud.jones

I apologize for the confusion. I got my wires crossed. From the article, as well as this one that clarifies Android integration, QNX seems to be poised to deliver a GUI from the user's handset, regardless of the handset's OS. What I meant to say is that it should shortly be technically possible to use an Android handset in much the same way as an iPhone, with respect to an Android version of CarPlay. It all appears to be dependent on Google.

pamiboy

I have a question. Does "Carplay" perform everything that "Drive Kit plus" can do? Is it in fact a replacement for Drive Kit plus? Whether Drive Kit will still be offered even if you have "Car play". What about MBrace plus apps? They might be redundant as well???
I'm a bit lost in the difference between these .

bud.jones

Go to Apple's CarPlay Page to see what is being offered at this time. The hope is that Apple will open up the APIs for more 3rd party developers to enable CarPlay within their apps. Expect the same from Android and Windows, timetable to be determined.

CarPlay looks to be a replacement for both the MB Apps and Drive Kit packages. beryl posted that NTG5, the new infotainment system being installed in the new C and S class vehicles, is required for CarPlay. More than likely, both MB Apps and the Drive Kit will no longer be offered, but we'll have to wait see to know for sure. MY2014 vehicles are only up to NTG 4.5.

Ntuck

So I just got the software update for iOS 7.1 with Carplay. I connected it the GL and I can't figure out how to get it to work. Anyone else tried yet?

JoeMa

Our GL's do not yet support CarPlay. Mercedes would need to offer a kit of some kind that make that happen and as of now there is no such kit available. As was covered previously in this thread, only the new C-Class coming out this fall will support CarPlay. SOme have suggested that the 14 S-Class may also support CarPlay but I haven't read anything concrete yet to confirm it does.

Ntuck

Thank you! That makes sense as to why it wasn't working. Sorry to be so thick!

JoeMa

No problem, asking questions is how we learn from one another.

mp3monkey

Just taken delivery of a W205 and plugged an iPhone 5S in via lightening cable...CarPlay didn't kick in, so I assume I need to plug in via 30 pin or the car isn't quite ready for CarPlay yet.

shotchaser

I have the new C-Class 2014 (W205) and have no idea if my car has CarPlay. I have connected the lightning cable to USB in centre console and downloaded the app. Comand does not recognise the phone if not connected via BT. When connected via BT, options are limited to phone calls and BT streaming audio. I want to be able to access Siri/ read or hear/ voice reply to texts while driving.

How do I tell if I have the version of Drive Kit Plus I need to be able to use CarPlay?

fabbrisd1

1st - I don't know if your 2014 C has COMAND 7" multimedia system or basic 5" system - so no one can comment on what voice features you may or may not have available to you.

SIRI does not connect to COMAND.

If you have COMAND - then please work thru the COMAND manual in your country - dial by voice can be done via COMAND different syntax than SIRI - and text's can be read out to you via COMAND

shotchaser

it's 7". pretty sure i don't have drive kit plus but will check when car is with them on tuesday for another issue. Thanks

JoeMa

The new C-class is not yet available in the United States. Do you live in Europe?


Also, I believe you will not be able to use CarPlay until Apple releases iOS 8. It is rumored to be available sometime next month (September).

shotchaser

appreciate it, thanks! yep, I live in the UK.

JoeMa

My son is considering a 2015 C-class. What are your thoughts so far about your new C-class? What do like most? Are there things you would have MB do differently?

cookstar

2015 C-class is light years ahead of the 2014 C-class no matter how you option it up . The only thing I would personally hold out for is for the new 9G tranny to make it to North America. Everything is miles ahead of the competition.