[lauwersp]

It's interesting (re: maybe unfortunate) that all these new MB products are being released before Apple's in car infotainment system is ready. I know there are some of you out there that could care less about stuff like this, but like Apple or not, they are extremely good at creating usable, responsive interfaces... something the automotive industry desperately needs.

Mercedes-Benz was one of the first manufacturers to hop on board which likely means that in the next couple years there will be a complete overhaul in all the models. It will be interesting if this means Comand will be integrated or replaced altogether by whatever this is that Apple's exactly making.

I hate to spend a lot on a GLA that I would plan on keeping and treasuring (a loaded GLA 45 for me which means close to $70K) to then hate the fact that two years later there was a significant improvement.

I do get that features and technology always march forward, and at some point you have to commit, but when there is some significant improvement right around the corner and we know it's coming, it makes me want to wait.

 

[carbonfiber]

soon you will have to choose between windows, android, or apple in your car too

 

[Bplayer]

Or this announcement at CES involving Android and Audi.

CES 2014: Google, car makers to bring Android to cars

 

[butterfield]

so we can't use our phones while driving but feel free to put an iPad in the dash for your infotainment pleasure.

somewhere along the line things stopped making sense.

 

[carbonfiber]

so we can't use our phones while driving but feel free to put an iPad in the dash for your infotainment pleasure.

somewhere along the line things stopped making sense.

lol i know right...

 

[lauwersp]

This concept of distracted driving is going to maintain it's controversy for a long time. I'm sure when radios first went into cars there were people that flipped out at the idea that kids were going to be incredibly distracted by jamming down the road with their friends.

The reality today is that infotainment systems are in every car. They aren't going away. But they really do need to be made better. It's almost criminal that automakers are putting slow to respond, poorly organized and implemented systems.

As far as phones go, I'm not surprised that, as some many things in this country are, the solution is so backwards. Even though I'm sure cell phone use is the largest example of distracted driving, DISTRACTED DRIVING is what should have been outlawed. If you can successfully use a cell phone while driving, as many people can, fine. If you're shaving, putting on makeup, or reading while weaving down the road, NOT FINE.

I feel like Apple has done a excellent job with both user interface and hardware responsiveness. I had the very first iPhone and from day one it felt like a product that had been honed over many, many years. Beautiful thing.

Now look at first (and even many subsequent) iterations of BMW's iDrive, MB's Comand, and Audi's MMI. Look at the GOD AWFUL Cadillac Cue and the Ford/Microsoft Sync and MyFord/MyLincoln Touch systems. These companies are NOT technology companies (an especially sad statement as it includes Microsoft).

I am anxious to see the marriage of successful auto manufacturers with a successful technology company. Audi has announced it's alliance with Google... MB with Apple.

Fingers crossed.

 

[A.T.L.]

a lot of people are idiots and don't know how to work the two, what ever they're doing behind the wheel with driving. There's a way to drive and still use your phone.

 

[carbonfiber]

does that mean that if I connect my android device to this iOS system in the car that my phone will self destruct?

 

[lauwersp]

does that mean that if I connect my android device to this iOS system in the car that my phone will self destruct?

It's actually an interesting question how much much "extra" integration an Apple device will have in an Apple iOS powered car or an Android device in a Google car. It's certainly possible that you'll have reasons to want to match the two. Personally that's why I'm hoping MB stays with their decision to adopt the Apple side of things.

It's going to also be interesting to see if these systems only cover entertainment or whether things like navigation will come along... and if they do... other vehicle specific types of things like climate control and vehicle settings and data reporting.

 

[AMGz]

I can imagine them making it more aimed to making the in-car experience better

 

[carbonfiber]

i would hope an android phone works in an ios car and an ios phone works in an android car.

 

[AMGz]

Not sure if that will happen, maybe some features will be able to work but it will be nothing like iOS to iOS or Android to Android.