I suspect some of the 'less premium' smaller/cheaper cars got it as standard quite early on as it would have been seen as an important feature for prospective (young) purchasers.
Android Auto/ Apple car play in W205
- Thread starter wolfmb
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I suspect some of the 'less premium' smaller/cheaper cars got it as standard quite early on as it would have been seen as an important feature for prospective (young) purchasers.
I will. Thank you
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That, plus having sourced basic infotainment systems from elsewhere (the Bosch SLDA unit in the higher-end Suzuki models is just that, basic), providing access to more clever software i.e. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is a workaround that also removes the need for Suzuki to develop its own complex infotainment system software in-house.
Top tier manufacturers like MB are very proud of their infotainment software, and so I guess that they only reluctantly and begrudgingly agree to drivers using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto instead of MBUX.
I think that that's also the reason why Tesla never supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (although they said they would have it for their 2024 cars?), in a nutshell they probably see it as an insult to their own remarkable software development capabilities. See also:
"Tesla's preference for in-house software is the most obvious reason for omitting CarPlay and Android Auto. Their own system already provides many desired features, ensuring a complete user experience. Furthermore, Tesla believes integrating these third-party systems could disrupt its already established seamless user experience. Tesla's tightly woven software features might clash with the independent functionality of CarPlay and Android Auto, potentially fracturing the holistic Tesla experience.
Adding another layer of context is Elon Musk's view of Apple as a direct competitor. Tesla positions itself not only as a carmaker but also as a tech company, placing it in direct competition with tech giants like Apple and Google. While some may find the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto frustrating, it is a strategic move by Tesla to maintain its distinct identity and compete effectively in the tech industry. As such, it's highly unlikely that we'll see Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility in Tesla models anytime soon."
Thank you. What system do you have in your car? Mbux? Doing it remotely it's fine but I wouldn't want them to mess my system up and then not to be able to restore it. Are they reliable?Got mine unlocked by GeneNostics for about £150. Can be done remotely too. You can find them on Facebook
I don't think I'm running MBUX. Pretty sure that was only on the "new" C-class. Mine's a 2019 model. I've had no issues whatsoever with mine being unlocked, and it was dead easy to install so long as you have a laptop that can connect to wifi whilst it's in your car (connected via a dongle, which Genenostics sent out).
Honestly, wouldn't be without CarPlay now. It tied in with MB wanting (more) money from me to continue the Nav package, so it was a no brainer.
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The pre-facelift W205 had NTG5*2, which does not support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (though this functionality can be added via a non-MB external device).
The face-lift W205 had NTG5.5, which is the last version of NTG that isn't MBUX.
The W206 received NTG6, which is the first MBUX system.
Both NTG5.5 and MBUX NTG6 have native support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it's optional and needs to be activated (I.e. it does not come as standard).
For half of the price that mb is asking, of course it's a no brainer. Thank mate
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For half of the price that mb is asking, of course it's a no brainer. Thank mate
The potential issue with these non-official activation methods, is that because they amend the firmware on the infotainment system itself, if the infotainment system software is updated in future (e.g. by the dealer under warranty etc), then the activation will be lost.
The official way involves SCN coding, which is where the MB central computer is updated with the retrofitted option (Apple CarPlay or Android Auto). This way, if the software on the infotainment system is updated to a newer version in future, the car will know that Apple CarPlay or Android Auto have been activated.
SCN coding requires genuine MB STAR and live connection to the MB central computer, plus there's a licence fee to pay to Apple (from memory, £20). Which is why only dealers and specialists can do that, and understandably they charge for their time and for the investment in the kit.
