Mercedes released a press statement today regarding the release of their iPhone cradle. The multimedia set will allow you to control our iPhone from the Mercedes Multifunction steering wheel and connect your iPhone to the Mercedes Aerial so you will always have perfect reception when calling. Read the full press statement for more information.
Whether it be a quick call to a business colleague for an important discussion, listening to favorite music tracks or checking home and office e-mails whilst on the move – the Apple iPhone® is a leading-edge business tool with multimedia capability, available in Germany and other markets. Now Mercedes-Benz allows the iPhone® connection to be fully integrated into the vehicle architecture for the first time – once again pointing the way ahead for the automotive industry.
The new Apple iPhone® cradle allows simple switching between the telephone and audio functions. What’s more, thanks to the location of the cradle in the center console, the iPhone® is within easy reach of both the driver and the front passenger. For ease of use, the iPhone® is controlled via the multifunction steering wheel, while the vehicle display is used to indicate the phone status or music functions and information such as the track title and artist.
Over 100,000 people in Germany have already purchased an iPhone® – made by US electronics giant Apple – since its launch in November 2007.
By introducing the new cradle for the Apple iPhone, Mercedes-Benz has made it even easier to enjoy the special benefits of this trend-setting multimedia application, even when on the move in the car. This fully integrated solution – the first of its kind – enables either the phone functions or the audio functions on the iPhone® to be activated. As ever, the device is easy to use thanks to the controls on the multi-function steering wheel, all of which enhances road safety, as the driver’s hands remain on the steering wheel, leaving them free to concentrate on the traffic and the other controls in the cockpit.
Perfect reception is assured as the iPhone® connects to the vehicle aerial automatically when inserted into the cradle. A further advantage is the automatic recharging of the iPhone® battery whilst the phone is sitting in the cradle.
This function means that the iPhone® stays fully charged, which is ideal if the user has to leave the vehicle. New design to influence the style of further cradles
As well as impressing on a technical level, the Apple iPhone® cradle’s exclusive design allows it to be integrated seamlessly into the interior of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The all-new design is based on a black-and-silver color scheme that
adds hallmark Mercedes-Benz touches. The leading-edge design will be used in future cradles for mobile phones available from Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH.
The iPhone® cradle can be inserted into the center console – where it is within easy reach of both the driver and the front passenger – with a single click and without the need for any tools whatsoever. The portable device is therefore easy to plug in and unplug. Optional convenience telephony (Order Code 386) must also be specified. The cradle connects to the audio system either via the optionally available Media Interface or the retrofittable iPod Interface Kit available from the range of genuine accessories. Both variants use an integral adapter lead that has to be installed by a specialist workshop, ensuring an ideal connection between the cradle and the Media Interface or iPod® Interface. The fully integrated iPhone® is available now for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E‑Class, CLK-Class, CLS-Class, S-Class, CL-Class, SL-Class, M-Class and R-Class. The product will also be offered for the new GLK-Class when this model is launched in October. 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.
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\\ tags: Cradle, iPhone, Mercedes, Mercedes iPhone Cradle
Found more info and hi-res photos for you.
http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Jun08/19_001204_Mercedes_Benz_Hearts_The_iPod_New_Cradle_Allows_Further_Integration_Into_The_Vehicle_Architecture.html
Hope you will be able to use this.
Sounds brilliant…..except it’s rubbish. I just visited my local Benz dealer yesterday and tried my iPhone 3G in the new cradle and guess what….the phone works but nothing else so I think “full multimedia capability” is stretching it a bit. Given that the car has an iPod lead which allowed the old iPhone to play music and charge and a Bluetooth module which worked fine (it doesn’t with the 3G) then the 3G is a giant backward step for anyone with a Mercedes. I’m told the same problems exist with BMW’s so caveat emptor…….
Hey guys,
Auto Wireless Solutions has the Apple cradle for sale. I purchased one for $525 and it worked with my iPhone. It worked with my 3G phone. It comes with a side cable for the iPod integration system. Call them at 800-910-1021.
[...] is an iPhone 3G specific cradle – available from around June ‘08. MerCedes iPhone (3G) Cradle available from today – iPhoneFreakz news – iPhoneFreakz I don’t have any more information unfortunately, but available to order from dealers now. [...]
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?
Hi
Just got the iphone cradle for my CLK 350 and the phone works very well. However, I cannot listen to the music in my iphone. Does anyone know how this works ?
Does anyone know what the cradle bluetooth code is for mercedes cradle iphone ? Lost my papers and cant re-actived my code. Please mail me. Thanks