Rumor puts Apple Nav System in Mercedes models by '09

A rumor making the rounds on the Internet this past weekend has Apple partnering with luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz to deliver a multifaceted navigational system sometime during the 2009 calendar year.

Citing unnamed sources, German Magazine Focus said the Apple-developed device will combine entertainment, communication and navigation in a single console system.

Mercedes will reportedly have a six-month exclusive (translation) on the product when it's made available sometime in 2009. Further details, such as integration of Google Maps for navigation, are said to be unclear.

No other information was provided in the two-paragraph report by Focus, which has no track record when it comes to predictions for future Apple offerings.

A host of top automakers already offer elegant iPod integration solutions to car buyers, but none include Apple-developed navigational or entertainment components.

In 2004, Apple teamed with Mercedes rival BMW in delivering the first seamless integration between iPod and a car audio system.

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54 Comments

mariofreak85

said about 16 years ago

I've always wanted a Google/Apple Nav system. My Garmin sucks

hmurchison

said about 16 years ago

Good

Apple should license the hell out of OS X/Multi touch. Nav systems have improved but many are still horrible to "ok" for user interface "navigation"

I think that the turn of the next decade will usher in the "Carputer" where you have full access and services that a desktop/laptop would.

Imagine the possibilities.

1. Web access wherever you go...easy webmail access to your messages.
2. iTunes access....kids need a new movie for a trip...download something new while you drive.
3. Flexibility- enable wireless monitors that can accept difference sources so that passengers have access to disperate entertainment sources.
4. iPhone integration...sync you calendar/contacts and any other relevant data. So that the "right" data is always near you.
5. GPS data that combines "turn by turn" and arial Google Earth pictures of your trip/destination.
6. iSight support for backup cameras
7. Voice Recognition for comand and control of Carputer and text to speech for reading your emails/documents to you.
8. Destination and "Points of Interest" pop up in a HUD with relevant data.
9. XM/Sirius radio and support for NAV traffic
10. DVD player included though Nav map data resides on mini hard drive. DVD uploads new data to hdd.

tkn

said about 16 years ago

So nobody is going to mind when more OS X stuff is delayed? While car nav systems definitely need some work, I think a lot of it is because there are no buttons. Designing systems which are quick to use without requiring a lot of visual feedback is a lot different than something like the iPhone.

And built-in GPS systems are ridiculously expensive for what you get. A top of the line Garmin or other player will cost you $600 and generally be better than the $2000 nav system that is integrated. I imagine they are looking at the HK GPS500 which is a pretty neat device, and if they would just integrate that it would be a thousand times better than the built-ins.

I hope they aren't doing it, but that is because they already are letting too much slide.

bageljoey

said about 16 years ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmurchison

You know, this sounds like the thing people would go ape for.
All this time and R&D computer companies have put into trying to get the computer into the living room as an all in one info/entertainment system--maybe the first place they should have been looking was the car. That is a space where people spend tons of time and are trapped, so to speak. After we get used to it in the car, then we will want a AppleTV at home that shares those features...

I guess all that is really needed to make this vision work is solid, high speed access to the internet. dont know if what is out there is good enough, but I guess it is inevitable.

Apple is lucky (forsightful?) as people are already used to plugging their iPods into the car. It will make sense for them to buy an iCarputer--especially after they geet hooked on the iPhone