A-Class (W176) [Official] Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176)

[kaktusdigital]

Especially as Barina are advertising this functionality
http://media.gm.com/media/au/en/hol...ages/news/au/en/2013/Apr/0403_Barina_CDX.html

I for one would love to have it. I heard excuses around legal issues and/or the Australian mobile infrastructure unable to handle it (what bollocks). Regardless of the reasons, they really should have made SIRI integration work out of the box. Considering that the iphone and S3 are some of the most popular phones, they won't even have Comand online work until MY14, that's just completely unacceptable.

As you pointed out, a 20K AUD car has full SIRI functionality, yet our so called 'aimed at the younger market' A-Class doesn't deliver on the advertised feature.

Thank goodness there's that Linguatronic to fill the void.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Can't we import it from the UK and try to fit it ourselves? Who wants to be a guinea pig?

 

[alebonau]

excuses excuses is all I see as reasons quite frankly. Anyone read the mb guide and what it does re command system as per the iphone app ? we miss out on a LOT ! from what I've heard MB aust been using the same excuses year after year afterall the drive kit thing is hardly new ! just not enabled on cars here anyways rant for the morning over !

 

[joyjas77]

Maybe we need to get a collective group to somehow contact Mercedes Benz requesting the Drive Kit Plus be sorted out for Australia, I wonder if there is any false advertising that they have done in regards to having this plastered all over the place and even on their own web-site.

But put me down as I would definitely like to have the ability to add the extra functionality that they advertise

http://www2.mercedes-benz.com.au/co...world/news/February_2012/a_class_connect.html

Heres the page that includes link to Advertising laws for selling products in Australia
http://transition.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/303213

 

[joyjas77]

Can't we import it from the UK and try to fit it ourselves? Who wants to be a guinea pig?

I guess I might consider getting it done, but wouldn't feel competent enough myself to pull the dash, etc out of a $60+k car. I would personally really like to be able to go to my local dealer and just pay for it to be done by them, and that way not void any warranty.

But problem in my mind might not be hardware but you need the software to be able to use it, if we don't have an australian version of the software we are not sure it will work until it is tried. But if the software has any sort of protection from allowing it to be run on different continents then it would be a big waste of money. As I'm sure different goverments will not allow certain functions to be accessed even though it is hands free as they may consider it a distraction.

Personally I was just hoping that they needed to modify the Drive app to meet Australian requirements. Now we see other cars offering this we know that it is definitely possible for them to do it and not step on anyones toes.

Here's to hoping.

 

[kaktusdigital]

I guess I might consider getting it done, but wouldn't feel competent enough myself to pull the dash, etc out of a $60+k car. I would personally really like to be able to go to my local dealer and just pay for it to be done by them, and that way not void any warranty.

agreed. to break down the features of the drive kit plus:

SIRI integration
maps via gps in iphone (Garmin data)
twitter
facebook
internet radio

In terms of the software required, it looks like its mostly on the iphone side of things. The only real hardware interface at the moment is a HDMI connection between the phone and car which looks to be the trickiest part of it all.

Personally I'd be more than happy to join anyone who wants to explore the options.

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/56550/mercedes-benz-previews-google-services-integration-at-io
that was posted last week. - perhaps they're going to offer it to us later on? You know if you buy a Buggati Veyron, they update your software + hardware to the latest spec for free every time you service your car...

"The carmaker also showcased a new 'Digital DriveStyle' display, demonstrating the capabilities of Google's 'Places' service, enhanced specifically for in-car use.
In the preview, Mercedes showed off a destinations-on-the-go function, which points motorists to popular locations nearby, while also offering live traffic updates via Google Traffic.
Digital DriveStyle remains a concept for now, but Mercedes expects to package it with Drive Kit Plus this year."

 

[joyjas77]

Thanks kaktusdigital, hadn't seen that yet. Having mostly macs at home my experience with Android hasn't been quite that good. Much easier to sync and upload photo's etc with an iPhone. Bought my wife a Samsung Galaxy S1 ages ago, but their sync software was never as good as iTunes for syncing with the mac, then later on we couldn't even get it to connect. But I guess if an Android version cam out and I wasn't able to use my iPhone then I might switch I'm coming to the end of my contract this September so will keep my eyes open. I've got an iPhone 4S atm.

 

[JTMerc]

The beauty of the Barina's system is that it integrates via Bluetooth: no need for a plug-in drive kit plus (and let's face it - who wants to plug their phone in every time you get in the car?). Simply press the voice command button on the steering wheel and ask SIRI to do something like post a Facebook status update or find a florist. The problem for Mercedes is that LINGUATRONIC is launched when you press the button on the steering wheel. They need to work out how SIRI and LINGUATRONIC can work together i.e. a single press launches LINGUATRONIC and a double click launches SIRI. You'll also find that Drive Kit Plus doesn't work with iPhone 5 yet. What confuses the matter further is that according to MB connectivity webpage you can access data via Bluetooth on A-Classes built from June 2013.
http://www.mercedes-benz-mobile.com

 

[Bknight]

agreed. to break down the features of the drive kit plus:

SIRI integration
maps via gps in iphone (Garmin data)
twitter
facebook
internet radio

All i can say what about android not everyone has a iphone.

 

[kaktusdigital]

All i can say what about android not everyone has a iphone.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-s.../mercedes-a-200-cdi--first-drive-7896848.html

this person (as well as a few others) say that 'android support is coming'. But that is literally the only reference to it.

 

[kaktusdigital]

The beauty of the Barina's system is that it integrates via Bluetooth: no need for a plug-in drive kit plus (and let's face it - who wants to plug their phone in every time you get in the car?). Simply press the voice command button on the steering wheel and ask SIRI to do something like post a Facebook status update or find a florist. The problem for Mercedes is that LINGUATRONIC is launched when you press the button on the steering wheel. They need to work out how SIRI and LINGUATRONIC can work together i.e. a single press launches LINGUATRONIC and a double click launches SIRI. You'll also find that Drive Kit Plus doesn't work with iPhone 5 yet. What confuses the matter further is that according to MB connectivity webpage you can access data via Bluetooth on A-Classes built from June 2013.
http://www.mercedes-benz-mobile.com

they really should aim at getting SIRI and S-Voice working via a method as you suggested (double click). I'm not sure how much anyone would really use the facebook and twitter functions. Personally I think I can wait til I finish my trip to check my oh so important news feed . I don't understand how getting facebook on the screen is useful when its only text anyway?

 

[Shillo]

I currently activate Siri via an OEM Bluetooth Hands Free kit i had fitted by the Dealer in my Mazda 6 (Little Button, top corner of windscreen) One press activates Siri to select Music, make calls, send and read TXT messages via the contact list & open Apps. Siri also confirms actions through the cars speakers.
All this on a system that is at least 4.5 years old !

 

[joyjas77]

I currently activate Siri via an OEM Bluetooth Hands Free kit i had fitted by the Dealer in my Mazda 6 (Little Button, top corner of windscreen) One press activates Siri to select Music, make calls, send and read TXT messages via the contact list & open Apps. Siri also confirms actions through the cars speakers.
All this on a system that is at least 4.5 years old !

Wow Shillo, that is great they must have built in a fair bit of upgradability as I don't even think SIRI is that old. Yet we're all buying Mercs and that functionality is available to some degree overseas, yet here in Australia we don't have any clue whether or not it will be available down the track.

 

[joyjas77]

The beauty of the Barina's system is that it integrates via Bluetooth: no need for a plug-in drive kit plus (and let's face it - who wants to plug their phone in every time you get in the car?).

I totally agree JTMerc, I don't want to have to plug in my iphone either, unless I want to charge the thing.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I currently activate Siri via an OEM Bluetooth Hands Free kit i had fitted by the Dealer in my Mazda 6 (Little Button, top corner of windscreen) One press activates Siri to select Music, make calls, send and read TXT messages via the contact list & open Apps. Siri also confirms actions through the cars speakers.
All this on a system that is at least 4.5 years old !

If you activate Siri from your phone she will listen and respond through the cars speakers on the Mercedes.

 

[Shillo]

Wow Shillo, that is great they must have built in a fair bit of upgradability as I don't even think SIRI is that old. Yet we're all buying Mercs and that functionality is available to some degree overseas, yet here in Australia we don't have any clue whether or not it will be available down the track.[/quote

Every time a new version of the phones operating system came out you would win and lose some functionality. My Audio system is Bose so I'm not sure if some of the credit might be Down to them ?
I forgot to mention that this all works via Bluetooth so I don't plug the phone in to anything but if I'm using Maps/GPS via the iPhone it kills the battery so it's better connected to the car so it's being charged while its being used, although I have heard wireless charging is not to far away (maybe in IOS 7 ?)

 

[joyjas77]

I forgot to mention that this all works via Bluetooth so I don't plug the phone in to anything but if I'm using Maps/GPS via the iPhone it kills the battery

You're right the first time I used a phone with GPS I was going to visit a friend in Sydney, and had all his contact details in phone and started driving up from Gippsland along the coast I thought I will just use GPS and get directions, although I could've got to Sydney on my own a few ways. Anyway in the evening the phone battery just went totally flat. I panicked seems I couldn't even contact friend without phone, needed GPS for directions. I had to rush into Wollongong and try and find a phone shop before shops shut, went from shop to shop asking for a car charger, sprinting between shops I found one just about to close trying to get rid of last customer who had one. Lesson learned. For GPS function phone car charger is definitely necessary. But hey I have paid $$$ for the COMAND pack so I won't be relying on car GPS anymore.

How are the traffic updates on the COMAND GPS are they good or do they come through too slowly to be of practical use?

 

[kaktusdigital]

Y

just had to say, love the Avatar! that roof stretches onnnnnnnnn..

 

[joyjas77]

just had to say, love the Avatar! that roof stretches onnnnnnnnn..

Thanks man, had to change Avatar to reflect order change and couldn't find any external shots I like with panoramic sunroof

 

[OZ A250]

What are the thoughts around novated leases? I'm looking into it, and the quote I received was around $600 per fortnight ( comes out of take home pay ). Anyone else had any experience with novated leases in Australia?