New Mercedes iPhone Cradle Allows full Vehicle Integration

Mercedes iPhone Cradle Allows full Integration

By Brian Potter
June 20, 2008 9:00 PM
Filed Under: German, Mercedes-Benz, Music, Technology

Available for all Mercedes-Benz models except A-Class, B-Class, CLC-Class and G-Class, Mercedes-Benz has released details and pricing on its new cradle connection for Apple's iPhone. The cradle is installed in the center console and allows the iPhone to be easily plugged in with a single click and unplugged.

Once connected, either the phone functions or audio functions on the iPhone can be activated via the controls on the multi-function steering wheel. Meanwhile the vehicle display is used to indicate the phone status or music functions and information such as the track title and artist.

When inserted into the cradle, the iPhone automatically connects to the vehicle's antenna system for receiving radio programming. Also, the cradle automatically recharges the iPhone battery when the phone is sitting in the cradle.

The cradle connects to the audio system either via the optionally available Media Interface or the retrofittable iPod Interface Kit. Both variants use an integral adapter lead that has to be installed by a specialist workshop.

In Germany, the Apple iPhone® cradle retails at € 249 (including VAT) and is obtainable from all Mercedes-Benz dealers. The adapter leads for the Media Interface or iPod Interface are available for € 39 (including VAT) in Germany.

Source: Daimler

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Comments

Roger

June 20, 2008 10:02 PM

cool!

lelu

June 20, 2008 10:16 PM

249?? Hm...

Bremen_Koenigsegg

June 21, 2008 12:22 AM

A most excellent feature. Now all I need is an iPod. And an iPhone. And a Mercedes. I'm still waiting for my in-car juicer adapter (a staple gun) for all my mobile juicing needs.

benz_man

June 21, 2008 12:41 AM

Does anyone know if it uses the cars amplified antenna for calling?

BabyMilo

June 21, 2008 1:47 AM

good feature i think that all cars should have this feature coz most ppl haave an ipod in todays world, so i guess well done mercedes

benzboy

June 21, 2008 3:17 AM

this is great they can make a holder for your iphone or ipod but they cant or wont produce an that runs on regular gasoling it is to laugh hahahahahahaha!!

benz_man

June 21, 2008 11:19 PM

You'd have reduced performance. Is that what you want from a Mercedes-Benz?

GranTurismo

June 21, 2008 3:26 PM

I prefer my Nokia N95.

radmeister

June 21, 2008 6:41 PM

I prefer my N82 :)

benzboy

June 21, 2008 8:41 PM

I prefer not using a cell phone in the car!!

fr3dy

June 23, 2008 12:31 AM

trying to compite with BMW, loool i prefer my motorola L6 xD

benzboy

June 23, 2008 5:57 AM

if i have to i use my razor with blue tooth headset!! but dont like car talking as it were

Micke

January 11, 2009 11:44 PM

I have a Mercedes CLK from 2003 with built in Nokia car kit, and would like to connect my iPhone using Bluetooth. Does anybody have experience with these Viseeo products? I wonder if the MBU-1000 will be able to connect my iPhone to the Mercedes command system. (www.viseeo.no) Mercedes can not provide a Bluetooth unit for my car.

Thx, Michael

johnd

May 15, 2009 9:40 AM

I have just had the iPhone cradle and an iPod Integration kit fitted to my 2005 CLK convertible.

It was a big job for my dealer as they had to route a new media cable from the centre armrest where the cradle is mounted,to the COMAND control unit in the centre console.

The phone features are great and are fully integrated into the COMAND system. The address book sync works perfectly and numbers with the + symbol for international dialing are supported (unlike with some 3rd party iPhone bluetooth adaptors for the the Mercedes).

I was a little disappointed to find however that the iPhone audio features/controls are only available from the multi-function steering wheel with information displayed in the instrument cluster. i.e. the COMAND screen is not used and remains blank. I've asked the dealer to clarify that this is the way it is supposed to work. They believe that this is the case because it is the way the iPod integration kit works when it is installed into the glovebox on its own. I had assumed that when used with the iPhone cradle, it would work with the COMAND system screen as this is what all the promo material from Mercedes indicates. My dealer believes that this is only supported on the Media System fitted to the new C class and this is not retrofitable to other Mercedes models.

Does anyone know if this is the case, or should the equipment I have had installed display the audio features on the COMAND screen?

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