14 DAY TRIAL // A recent Mercedes-Benz report notes that over 100,000 people in Germany have purchased an iPhone since its launch in November 2007. As a result of this, the famous car manufacturer is offering Mercedes and iPhone owners a solution to fully integrate their handset into the vehicle architecture. This is a first for the industry, Mercedes-Benz claims.
"...Mercedes has acknowledged Apple's current (and in all probability future) dominance in the mobile arena, so much so that they have unveiled a new cradle specifically for the device," eMercedesBenz notes. "Available now for the Mercedes-Benz C-, E-, CLK-, CLS-, S-, CL-, SL-, M- and R-Class (as well as the in the future for the forthcoming GLK-Class), the Apple iPhone cradle allows seamless integration between your device's music and telephone functions and your vehicle's architecture," the Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog reveals.
The cradle connects without any additional tools into the audio system of the car, either via the optionally available Media Interface or the retrofittable iPod Interface Kit. Available for ? 249 - including VAT (lunch money for you Mercedes owners, right?) the cradle is easily installed in the centre console, making it easy for both the driver and the passenger to reach out for the device.
Needless to point out, your iPhone's media player and phone functions can be controlled with the help of the multifunction steering wheel controls, so you never really have to take your hands off the steering wheel to control the device. The vehicle's display indicates the phone status, music functions and more.
What's even better is that this new solution actually boosts the iPhone's signal, as the device automatically connects to the vehicle aerial when inserted into the cradle. And yes, you guessed it, the iPhone is also constantly recharged when placed in its cradle.
Since design is always important, the model is based on a black-and-silver color scheme with an obvious Mercedes-Benz touch. The company says future cradles for other mobile phones are on their way (looks like Apple's iPhone had priority here). They will be available from Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH.
Mercedes-Benz owners should check with their dealer for local availability, eMercedesBenz notes.
