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if I was going to use one of the streaming services all the time, perhaps. I usually use Sirius Xm or I listen to the songs on my phone though. Quality isn’t that important, I have tinnitus, so nothing sounds that good anyway.
The difference between CarPlay and the built in apps is really dramatic, Sirius XM is really low resolution. If you can't tell the difference between them my guess is you won't notice Atmos either.
The difference between CarPlay and the built in apps is really dramatic, Sirius XM is really low resolution. If you can't tell the difference between them my guess is you won't notice Atmos either.
I’ll notice the direction of where the music is coming from.
I found the Hotspot in my 2017 gle to be horrible, so much so, I didn't bother signing up for my 24 gle 450. My phone Hotspot turned on with 5G was much faster.
What DL speeds do you guys get from the newer model GLE Hotspots? My 2017 used to get like 2-3mb/sec in nyc which is horrible.
Other things I noticed in the 2.6.1 update:
You can now purchase the Trailer Maneuvering Assist as a digital extra if you have the trailer hitch. It's $350 to have it enabled permanently or $110 to have it activated for 12 months. (I think this option was $250 activated permanently if you bought the vehicle with it). This option was not there before the 2.6.1 update. I have yet to tow anything but I think this feature seems handy especially for someone not used to driving with a trailer.
Another new option is Shared Navigation you can also share your navigation route or current location with one of your contacts in the navigation app. I haven't tested that yet, but it seems cool.
Last edited by graffixnyc; Jun 8, 2025 at 05:50 PM.
You CAN use your phone as a hot spot, but I would sign up for the WiFi, its well worth it. The audio quality from the onboard apps is night and day better than CarPlay.
You can use your phone's Hotspot without using CarPlay. I don't use CarPlay in my GLE and just use the phone's Hotspot and connect the car to it like any other wifi access point.
If I remember correctly, you can't use the phone's Hotspot AND CarPlay at the same time. If you turn your phone's Hotspot on while your vehicle is connected to CarPlay, the iPhone tells you it must disconnect from CarPlay to enable the Hotspot. If I remember that correctly, it's been a while since I used CarPlay
Last edited by graffixnyc; Jun 8, 2025 at 05:58 PM.
You can use your phone's Hotspot without using CarPlay. I don't use CarPlay in my GLE and just use the phone's Hotspot and connect the car to it like any other wifi access point.
If I remember correctly, you can't use the phone's Hotspot AND CarPlay at the same time. If you turn your phone's Hotspot on while your vehicle is connected to CarPlay, the iPhone tells you it must disconnect from CarPlay to enable the Hotspot. If I remember that correctly, it's been a while since I used CarPlay
Yes you can, but I found that my car's cellular connection is much better and you can't use the Hotspot and CarPlay at the same time. I just want everything to just always work without having to screw with connections etc. Best way to do that is by using the phone's data plan.
Another thing the 2.6.1 update brought to 24/25 models, now you can adjust the ambient lighting though the app! (I know older years could do this, but it was something that was missing from the app for 24/25 models)
Yes you can, but I found that my car's cellular connection is much better and you can't use the Hotspot and CarPlay at the same time. I just want everything to just always work without having to screw with connections etc. Best way to do that is by using the phone's data plan.
well, I just signed onto using my phone as a hotspot in the car. I then logged into Amazon music. I was listening to music, I know I’m not using the car’s Wi-Fi because I haven’t paid to have any type of plan for that. I then hit the Apple CarPlay icon, and the Apple Maps came up, I use the Apple Maps because it shows up on the heads up display. The bottom line is that it looks like I can play Amazon Music, and have Apple CarPlay maps up at the same time. I looked at the settings and Dolby Atmos was selected. It sounded pretty good.
How can I see what version I have? I picked up a brand new GLE yesterday and it says there aren’t any updates available, but I also don’t see the Sound Drive feature.
How can I see what version I have? I picked up a brand new GLE yesterday and it says there aren’t any updates available, but I also don’t see the Sound Drive feature.
not all OTA updates are immediately available to each single vehicle, it is staged. As for checking the version, it is NTG7_ and followed by the number. It is in the system tab under the infotainment settings system info. Or something forgot the exact name.
not all OTA updates are immediately available to each single vehicle, it is staged. As for checking the version, it is NTG7_ and followed by the number. It is in the system tab under the infotainment settings system info. Or something forgot the exact name.
Yeah, I just kind of assumed that a vehicle built a week ago would have come with the newest software and that doesn't seem to be the case.
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
MBUX 2.6.1 is E505.
Well that would do it. Mine is E504... I have the Ambient Lighting stuff in the app like was shown above, but not Sound Drive. Thanks.
Yeah, I just kind of assumed that a vehicle built a week ago would have come with the newest software and that doesn't seem to be the case.
......
Almost every piece of electronic equipment I bought in the last several years has required an update before first use.
Either things are changing rapidly, or they're released prior to completion, making us beta testers.
Or to be less vindictive, multiple security updates are necessary in this day of hacking.
Almost every piece of electronic equipment I bought in the last several years has required an update before first use.
Either things are changing rapidly, or they're released prior to completion, making us beta testers.
Or to be less vindictive, multiple security updates are necessary in this day of hacking.
Others withhold features until after started shipping products, they announce it but it is not ready until later on, for example apple. You can argue you pay for the whole product not half the product and you expect to have everything at the start.
Another thing the 2.6.1 update brought to 24/25 models, now you can adjust the ambient lighting though the app! (I know older years could do this, but it was something that was missing from the app for 24/25 models)
Before the update:
Glad to hear it.
It seems like they could have updated the vehicle image with the refreshed DRLs too 🤣
It seems like they could have updated the vehicle image with the refreshed DRLs too 🤣
They should, otherwise, that looks like an A-Class sedan (pre-facelift) or the C257 CLS shown in the picture, I am thinking it is the former due to the width of it plus the bumper seems a bit closer to a A-Class.
I noticed that audio system profile has changed as well for Dolby Atmos. In Apple Music, the rears are now more active and appear to be always present in the sound stage.
It hard to say if I like it better but it sounds different.
I noticed that audio system profile has changed as well for Dolby Atmos. In Apple Music, the rears are now more active and appear to be always present in the sound stage.
It hard to say if I like it better but it sounds different.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
