14 DAY TRIAL // Earlier this day, the Mountain View company Google proudly announced that several BMW owners from Europe will now be able to benefit from the Google Maps features by using route destinations straight on their in-car navigation system. Now, Mercedes-Benz USA announces that their customers are also able to work with this technology using 'Search & Send', a new solution that works with Google Maps and Yahoo Maps.
Basically, the product works just like the BMW technology: the users are able to configure a route to reach their destination on their PC and then transfer it to the in-car computer. All they need to do is to press the i-button of the Tele Aid system implemented into the Mercedes-Benz cars in order to use the navigations device or keep the route for later use. At this time, the product is compatible with the S-Class sedan, CL-Class coupe as well as with the new C-class models.
"Given the increasing amount of time people spend in their vehicles, we're always looking for ways to make that time more productive, efficient and enjoyable. The advantage to Search & Send is that customers can surf the Internet from their home computers -- or from any Internet-connected device such as a PDA or cell phone -- pick out where they want to go, utilize Google or Yahoo! Maps to get the directions and then send the information to their vehicle," said Sascha Simon, manager of telematics for MBUSA.
"Then they get in the car and go, without having to input addresses into the GPS system. They can also have friends or family pull down a destination and send the information to them in the car. We think this will be an extremely well- received progression in our telematics service. It's this type of convenience that customers are looking for, delivered in an intelligent and simple way."