Apple developing navigation system for Mercedes?

Without so much as citing an "unnamed source" or "someone close to the negotiations," German magazine Focus is claiming that Apple -- they of the iPod, Mac, and several other consumer products -- is secretly developing a navigation system to debut in Mercedes vehicles during 2009. Focus goes on to promise that we'll see other manufacturers adopting the hardware once Mercedes' six-month exclusivity period has ended, and that we can likely expect Apple board member Eric Schmidt to toss in some Google Maps on the front end. With the company clearly expanding its reach as of late (Apple TV, iPhone, dropping Computer from the branding), it's not entirely out of the realm of possibilities that we'll also see an expansion into navigation devices, but we're certainly not taking this particular rumor seriously until we see some spy shots of a 2009 or 2010 S-class sporting some of this supposed iNav action.

[Via Foursprung]

[humpty @ Jun 17th 2007 6:28PM]

With the long lead time in developing an integrated oem navigation system, the one you buy pre-installed in usually obsolete by the time you drive off the lot.. or shortly thereafter.

[Big @ Jun 17th 2007 8:55PM]

I'm a 2006 S550 owner. My car came standard with the Navigation system and COMAND system so seeing this is interesting.

Sure Nav systems are subject to the same obsoletion rules desktops and laptops are but ultimately, a car's computer is just designed to last the life of the vehicle and allow the driver to control what needs to be controlled.

And let me tell you...the S550's computer system integration is EXTRORDINARY.

Considering you get a LCD screen multi-function display in the dashboard as well as one in the center console and bothe give you full control over seat massage, seat cushions, vehicle electronics, radar ranging automatic braking and alot of other things, THIS COMPUTER IS MORE THAN ADEQUATE.

What does need to happen is the car get an easier to use interface - which seems to be all Apple will ever be good at. If the S550 had a scroll /click wheel or a GUI like the Apple Iphone, it would be so much easier to navigate system options while moving at 80 mph.

[Mike @ Jun 17th 2007 11:35PM]

Something's wrong with your story because there was no 2006 Mercedes S550. The S550 was introduced at the North American Auto Show in January 2006. It started with the 2007 line.

[mike ishi @ Jun 18th 2007 1:09AM]

You got owned.

A man with a S550 probably doesn't read engadget.

kthxbai.

[Takeo @ Jun 18th 2007 4:23AM]

Stupids! Maybe he's from Germany as I am? Here the car was released in end of 2005 :P

[Mac Dub @ Jun 18th 2007 9:14AM]

@ mike ishi

Why would a man who owns a Mercedes S550 not read Engadget. Are you implying that the only people who read this blog are struggling young hipsters who want to be on the cutting edge? Get some culture man! That's an insult to the bloggers of this fine site.

[BoZs13 @ Jun 17th 2007 6:32PM]

A Nav System with Blu-Ray/dvd/mp3/aacs/xvid support? Apple interface and design along with Google Maps front end?

I'd hit it!

[Grandalf @ Jun 17th 2007 6:41PM]

Though now that someone spoiled Steve from being able to announce it when it's due, apple is going to ditch the whole thing. That is, if they were infact doing it :P

[paloooz @ Jun 17th 2007 6:48PM]

0n0z! The title says "Apple" in it! Queue the MS trolls!

[carlo @ Jun 17th 2007 6:49PM]

Absolutely not. His main objectives right now are the iPhone and the Apple Store retail locations.

[Luis @ Jun 18th 2007 2:15AM]

Der FOCUS is definitely not a good place to get any news from. They'll turn anything into a sensation if it makes people buy their crappy magazine.

[Ozbone @ Jun 17th 2007 7:00PM]

The Mercedes interface to everything from navigation to music to climate control is absolutely atrocious. Whether this actually happens, I don't know, but there is clearly a need for an Apple-like approach. I think its a great idea !

[Wonderkid @ Jun 17th 2007 7:03PM]

Some of you may remember that Steve Woz formed a company called something like Wheels of Zeus that was all about Location Based Services and GPS. He may well have come up with something and done a behind the scenes deal with his old pardner, the other Stevie.

[andres @ Jun 19th 2007 1:29PM]

stick up a mac mini up in that bitch along with a gps module and call it done.

[Jesse S @ Jun 17th 2007 7:14PM]

Oh God no...

Meh, it's not like I use this kind of thing anyway. PDA + bluetooth GPS receiver = bliss.

[michael @ Jun 17th 2007 8:44PM]

I wonder how it would compare to Microsoft and Ford Sync. It's neat to see who comes out first and does the best.

[Neptune5 @ Jun 17th 2007 9:06PM]

I'VE BEEN LONGING FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS , I JUST HAD A MAC MINI INSTALLED IN MY SL500 WITH A TOUCHSCREEN MAINLY FOR FRONT ROW AND SOME INTERNET WHERE I CAN PIC UP SIGNALS, I HAD A DREAM THAT THIS MIGHT HAPPEN MANY MONTHS AGO APPLEOSX+MERCEDES.

[Mephistophelian @ Jun 17th 2007 11:03PM]

You can afford all that but you can't figure out how to use the caps lock key? Nice one.

[D T @ Jun 17th 2007 9:51PM]

"if the S550 had a scroll /click wheel" -Big

it does have a scroll/ click wheel (COMAND). and so does BMW (iDrive). and so does Audi (MMI).

[bnet504 @ Jun 17th 2007 10:58PM]

" . . . we can likely expect Apple board member Eric Schmidt to toss in some Google Maps on the front end."

Imagine someone using Google Street View while driving...

[Ubl0 @ Jun 18th 2007 3:28AM]

Does this mean I'm gonna have to buy a Mercedes in my whole "Apple Addict" kinda way?

[James @ Jun 18th 2007 9:18AM]

"...Apple -- they of the iPod, Mac, and several other consumer products -- is..."

Oh, THAT Apple. Thanks for the clarification there, we here so little about this rather reserved and private company that sometimes it's difficult to figure out which company is being discussed in articles about iProducts that appear 32 times a day on this site....

[RoyP @ Jun 18th 2007 9:54AM]

the guy with an 06 S550 must have a very special, collectors item Mercedes in his driveway, as it's the only 06 S550 in the world. Coincidentally, there were no 2006 S550 in North American or anywhere else. The European market still does not have one, it's called S500S or S500L (for Short and Long wheelbase).

[riggs @ Jun 18th 2007 10:39AM]

http://www.mp3car.com 'nuff said.

[Will @ Jun 18th 2007 10:53AM]

Wow, I just got use to my 07 Benz's navigation. Now they're playing to put a whole new one in it. Personally I dislike how Apple makes everything seem so complicated. I still have trouble using a Mac. I think if the new navigation was Linux based, it would've been so much better.

[foj @ Jun 18th 2007 10:58AM]

Considering Microsoft was involved with BMW's abysmal iDrive, I hope they get it right next time... I think if Apple does enter into the scene, they can't do any worse. In fact, given their track record, Apple could do considerably better. Competition is good.

[Mark Gold @ Sep 16th 2007 8:15PM]

A few years ago I actually suggested in a letter to Roundel magazine (published by the BMW Car Club of America) that BMW should join forces with Apple to redesign iDrive. As I said in my letter, Apple made the one button mouse work, and there's no reason why they couldn't make a one button controller work as well. If this article is accurate, perhaps BMW will follow suit.

[Perrey Z. @ Jun 18th 2007 11:10PM]

Apple technology on Mercedes... just what I did NOT need to hear. I'll pass this at 90-MPH and make the right turn on Red. BMW here I come!

[qwert @ Jun 18th 2007 12:48PM]

does that mean i am going to see apple fanboys camping outside of mercedes dealers when it launches (if it really is real)?

[vinay @ Aug 11th 2007 10:25AM]

Crystal Gazing

Apple inside Merc will some day lead to Microsoft inside Ford, and a Dell/HP-Linux thingy inside Volkswagen, French and Asian cars. And Sun/Java it'll be inside the Scandinavian Volvos and probably also the Lexus - what with the mobile guys pitching in with their designs. Wanna shake a Sony-Ericson at that ? Oh, but what happens to the BMW ? Guess they'll go the Moto-way.

[Tom @ Sep 24th 2007 9:08PM]

Incorrect. I'm pretty sure my BMW's iDrive system already runs on Java.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Jun 19th 2007 8:04AM]

NPR did two stories on the BMW iDRive a while back. And the person whom they took along with them for the interview and ride was: The Interface Designer for Apple Computer. He was highly critical of the system and said it needed lots of improvement. And do agree with him. I drove a 7 series and the idrive was very tough, complected, unorganized, and dangerously distracting to use.


Click the Listen Button in the NPR page:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1148032

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5376463


There is another story (better) on their website but I cannot find it.

[vinay @ Aug 11th 2007 10:19AM]

Apple inside the Merc will someday lead to Microsoft inside the Ford, and some Dell/HP/Acer/Lenovo Linux-thingy inside the Volkswagen, French and Korean cars. The Scandinavian Volvos and maybe Lexus will go for a cuppa of Sun/Java (powered by their regional "mobile" engines) while BMW will go the Moto way. Of course, Microsoft will buyout TomTom in the process and Acer/Lenovo will lead the volume game. The real fun will only begin when the (next )US president gets the brain-wave to stop/obfuscate/intentionally blur out the GPS - all in the interest of national defense, of course!

[Nate @ Jul 17th 2007 11:45AM]

FINALLY!!! Is Mercedes finally realizing that their navigation product is very very very bad? If you have ever used another system you will realize just how sorry Mercedes navigation is.

It would be an extremely smart move for Mercedes to team up with Apple. I am very leary, though, that Mercedes has the willingness to do it. I'll have to see it. Apple will do navigation the right way. And, the navigation product will have a port for an iPod or iPhone, and it will be easy and fun to use!