Mercedes-Benz Preparing to Launch Digital Car Key Support for iPhone and Apple Watch in Latest E-Class Sedan

[dontwalkhand]

Seems like a risk on the part of Mercedes, counting on Apple like that. I'd assume there is a default of their own at least. So an M1/M2 can only one run external, does this count as 1 or 3 external monitors on an iPhone?

Unlike Tesla, Mercedes will still come with a physical key that you can still use in addition to the iPhone. You also have a method to disable the physical key and place it in the car, and only use the phone, but you still have a key just in case, that you can always reactivate anytime (provided you get the door open, probably with roadside assistance).

As for Apple CarPlay in its current iteration, it will only take over the center screen of the three monitors. The rest remain MBUX. They do allow Apple CarPlay to show multiple rows of icons and it does take advantage of the larger real estate however. It literally looks like a giant iPad, with multiple rows of icons rather than just the standard two.

 

[jonnysods]

Unlike Tesla, Mercedes will still come with a physical key that you can still use in addition to the iPhone. You also have a method to disable the physical key and place it in the car, and only use the phone, but you still have a key just in case, that you can always reactivate anytime (provided you get the door open, probably with roadside assistance).

As for Apple CarPlay in its current iteration, it will only take over the center screen of the three monitors. The rest remain MBUX.

Shoot now I'm one of those people who barely read the title before throwing out my opinion. I thought I read they were considering the carplay display feature - my bad!

 

[jaytv111]

Yep, GM and HP should partner up. They probably can throw in a mediocre printer with every mediocre car sold or something, and require you to have HP Instant Ink to start the car.

"Introducing, an HP printer/scanner/copier/fax, built into your Chevy! Fax anywhere, scan anywhere, print anywhere! Just fill up on $200 a gallon ink and you're good to go!*"

*car does not function without ink. Subscription needed. Data services required to access every feature. Carplay is available but only if you hop on one knee for 5 years straight.

 

[tivoboy]

Unlike Tesla, Mercedes will still come with a physical key that you can still use in addition to the iPhone. You also have a method to disable the physical key and place it in the car, and only use the phone, but you still have a key just in case, that you can always reactivate anytime (provided you get the door open, probably with roadside assistance).

As for Apple CarPlay in its current iteration, it will only take over the center screen of the three monitors. The rest remain MBUX. They do allow Apple CarPlay to show multiple rows of icons and it does take advantage of the larger real estate however. It literally looks like a giant iPad, with multiple rows of icons rather than just the standard two.

Teslas still come with a physical key, just not always a physical fob type BTLE/RF/NFC DISTANCE key.. the key CARDS which are either RF/NFC still come with model 3 and Y, whereas the large vehicle size key fobs still come with model S and X.

 

[CoMoMacUser]

I hope people just stop buying GM products. The company that tried to (unsuccessfully) kill...(but seriously mamed)....

the electric streetcar (& public transit)
the electric car
hydrogen cars

Meanwhile, we gotta commend Mercedes, they kind of you know, invented the automobile...

Most buyers don't know or don't care about any automaker's history.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

Something like that is easier to implement on an EV than a vehicle with an ICE (internal combustion engine) such as this Mercedes E Class. Just because I enter or exit a vehicle doesn't mean I want the ICE to start up or shut off.

True, but Mercedes still has start/stop buttons on their EVs! At least Volvo got rid of them on their full EVs. But they still left the placeholder for the button and now it looks like you're missing a button.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

would like Tesla to incorporate this. bluetooth is sketchy and would rather just wave my Apple Watch at the B-pillar NFC sensor to unlock.

Yeah, Apple Watch support would be amazing but like CarPlay, I have a feeling it's a lost cause.

 

[rgwebb]

Another nice little feature for when I buy an E-wagon in a few years.

 

[tivoboy]

Meanwhile, we gotta commend Mercedes, they kind of you know, invented the automobile...

Well, sort of, well technically, no… While Carl Benz did indeed build a nice product in the very late 1800’s, and made several of them, the ‘automobile’ had been around nearly 200 years or more in some form. Interestingly, it was ultimately Benz’s ultimate partner, Gottlieb Daimler who made the first four wheel, enclosed, combustion engine vehicle and probably wby MOST MBENZ cars over the past 100 years have the name DAIMLER in them or on the windscreen as a tip of the hat to their genesis and lineage..

 

[jz0309]

can't wait til pricing for this option is announced ... or did I miss that?

 

[dwaltwhit]

C’mon fiat chrysler dodge jeep ram!

 

[dontwalkhand]

C’mon fiat chrysler dodge jeep ram!

They're still trying to figure out how to make their cars run.






*ducks for cover*

 

[Lcgiv]

Most buyers don't know or don't care about any automaker's history.

Or are selective about what histories they care/feign caring about.

Daimler-Benz in the Nazi Era (1933 - 1945) | Mercedes-Benz Group

From 1937, Daimler-Benz AG increasingly produced armament items such as the LG 3000 truck and aircraft engines such as the DB 600 and DB 601.

group.mercedes-benz.com

Exported to Japan to eradicate the pesky populaces of their neighbors, built with the hands of use till dead concentration camp slaves

But yeah. History

 

[bLackjackj]

Fantastic news,..finally!

 

[dontwalkhand]

Fantastic news,..finally!

With this and the other news that Kroger will supposedly get Apple Pay in the whole US by June 5.....All of this is suspiciously all being announced on or before WWDC!

 

[dwaltwhit]

They're still trying to figure out how to make their cars run.






*ducks for cover*

Hahaha fair enough!

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

What’s up with the dokry Vista-looking software on modern Mercs?

 

[Warped9]

That is one truly ugly looking, nightmarish dashboard.

 

[Aston441]

In 10 years an E Mercedes will be worth about $7,000 except that it's failed dashboard (due to mice eating the eco-soy coated wires) will cost about $15,000 to replace - rendering the car worthless and consigned to the scrapyard.

 

[dontwalkhand]

What’s up with the dokry Vista-looking software on modern Mercs?

It’s actually quite nice, though I believe they were going based on their own design language, hence the serif fonts etc.

The picture shows it in sport setting, the regular blue looks quite nice.

 

[ilikewhey]

It's not reliable on walking up to the tailgate or passenger door (unlike my toyota). Having to open the drivers door, and hit the unlock button on the screen to put a dog in the back is a major PITA.

Plus, what do you hand a valet?

something is up with your bluetooth, what model and year you got, all the issues you listed i do not have on my 23 model y. often times my wife and kid gets to the car before i do and the car unlocks itself.

as for valet, isn't that what the card is for? i keep one in my wallet just for that.

 

[ilikewhey]

Mercedes will often introduce new features, functions, design, technology in the C and E Klasse before rolling it into the S (or other Classes at this point)… I think they like to test it out first before further refinement and roll-out for their highest price offerings.

Speaking from just a BIT of experience here. ;-)

isn't it the other way around? my old 2016 s550 had the infinity screen long before any c or e class moved on from that standalone fugly looking infotainment system.

 

[TomaxXamot]

I wish Honda would enable this for my 2022 Civic. The FOB has keyless entry and remote start, but having the option to use my phone if there’s a problem with my key would be great.

Recently I left my key in the car on top of my gym bag on the passenger seat (on purpose) and while I went around to the passenger door to grab the bag and head into the gym the car locked itself. It’s not supposed to do that- either it was a glitch or the FOB battery is getting low (I haven’t had a warning come up on the display).

Ended up having to use Honda Roadside Assistance to get a local two truck guy to open the car. At the time I would’ve loved to have been able to unlock with my phone! Now I have to make sure I have the keys in my pocket every time I exit the car, even when getting gas, just in case it decides to lock itself.

 

[GDF]

It's unfortunate all these auto manufacturers are still resistant to moving to a digital solution. Tesla incorporated digital keys into their vehicles and it's quite impressive. Walk up to the car, door unlocks and it's automatically on and ready to drive. When you've reached your destination, the minute you exit the car and close the door, the car shuts off and it'll lock and arm the car automatically.

Yes - the Tesla implementation is outstanding.

 

[centauratlas]

I wish Honda would enable this for my 2022 Civic. The FOB has keyless entry and remote start, but having the option to use my phone if there’s a problem with my key would be great.

Recently I left my key in the car on top of my gym bag on the passenger seat (on purpose) and while I went around to the passenger door to grab the bag and head into the gym the car locked itself. It’s not supposed to do that- either it was a glitch or the FOB battery is getting low (I haven’t had a warning come up on the display).

Ended up having to use Honda Roadside Assistance to get a local two truck guy to open the car. At the time I would’ve loved to have been able to unlock with my phone! Now I have to make sure I have the keys in my pocket every time I exit the car, even when getting gas, just in case it decides to lock itself.

I thought all the Honda's had Honda Link and with the app you can do the lock/unlock/remote start. Our 2019 Odyssey does. It isn't easy to use like the feature in the article. (Edit: This was the first link, and not great, but... https://www.normreeveswestcovina.com/how-to-use-remote-start-in-honda-west-covina-ca/#:~:text=HondaLink®%20is%20a%20downloadable,find%20the%20Remote%20Engine%20tab.)

I like the feature on the now nearly 7 year old MB GKS-450. When we trade in a few years the feature mentioned here should be nice.