If you're one of the trendy hipsters driving a
Smart Fortwo, here's another way of pimping up your ride:
Daimler has announced a Q2 2010 launch for its Smart Drive kit for the
iPhone. As pictured above, the kit consists of a cradle for handsfree communication plus charging, and an app that "combines all the features needed on the road" by the means of "extra-large buttons and extra-large letters." You'll get access to your usual music library (plus Internet radio), contacts, phone functions and map by Daimler (points-of-interest data from Microsoft
Bing). There's also the handy "Assist" feature that can automatically mark your parking location when undocked, and can provide GPS coordinates to the Smart hotline for roadside assistance. What's more, Daimler's currently working on a camera for this kit that can identify speed limit signs, and can then warn you if you're speeding. Want it? You'll need to fork out a dear €240 ($326) for the cradle (which may or may not be necessary), then a one-off €9.99 ($14) for the app, and finally the optional annual €49.99 ($68) for on-board European and US maps plus live traffic data. We'll reconsider if the app can also
start our car.
[Thanks, Jason]
posted February 20th 2010 6:03PM
I hardly think that would put a dent in a Daimler drivers wallet
@TMC I dunno about that, they even have Mercedes taxis in Germany; they're a Daim a dozen over there.
@Ducman69
[rimshot]
@Ducman69
I don't know about Germany, but here in Denmark you get a Mercedes when you call for a taxi and a Daimler when you call for a Limo
@TMC the smart is not expensive like s class i have a smart brabus for 24000$ and i paid it via banck card not visa or something else it means one shot. i think its a good idea but that bing maps things means that apple is decided to throw up google?? or is only the mercedes benz app that uses bing (hope it will have bird eye view). its good it dont start the car because i wont like that someone with a jailbroken iphone and patched app stolen my car because he is able to crack the rolling code for the engine start
Obviously the app store needs more apps that cost more then a full week of lunch.
For $326 that cradle had better come with a baby!
@ColonelKernel Maybe it is a bit steep, but it's a charger and a hands-free unit too.
@bonesb Err, I got a Belkin device that sticks out of the cigarette lighter with an extendable arm that charges, does hands free (using the car speakers) and broadcasts any sound coming through the headphone socket..
I could use a big buttoned approach though
@ColonelKernel
And what could you do with a baby? Eat it?
@Plexus
Only if the arm-extension allowed you to eat the baby without taking your eyes off the road. The Belkin model geekthree mentioned was engineered intentionally to not support the weight of a baby as Belkin founder and CEO, Chet Pipkin, is vehemently anti-cannibal.
probably comes with a gps chip and antenna.
Just another I-am-rich app in diguise...
I regret selling my smart car :(
Well, it's not the app that is expensive...
That's not a smart, is it?
WTF? Is that a well manicured 8 year old behind the wheel in that pic?
Hey Daimler how about working on better iphone integration for Mercedes instead??
@xenious
They're not the only ones. Audi still only offer an original iPhone cradle for my A6. WTF Audi. The 3G shape has been out for nearly 2 years now... Bluetooth is only so good...
Yeah!
Pimp your suicide ride and die with music! Smart was the only car in crash tests that became airborne after collision and spun 400 degrees.
@AlfaCat
Still safer than one of these
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmpDM8wVrUQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZWy_fASSiQ&NR=1
My Zip Car rentals have an app that opens the car door as well as beeps the horn.
It shouldn't be that hard to start the engine.
and some iphone users will eat it right up
Genius!
/Sarcasm
It's a great idea and all. The only thing missing is support for other platforms. But, as far as the price. How does this compare to dedicated head units?
"Start our car"-- hummf, for that price it ought to wash it every day and shovel all the snow from in front and in back of the car on a continous basis! Wow!
A week ago that could have been a rumoured WinMo7 mockup (look at the colours)
Another day, another overpriced iphone accessory or app.
Glad i'm not an iphone user, fanboys that buy this junk have caused companies to price this crap extremely high.
@jcar302
I glad I am an iPhone user, I might buy a smart brabus in the coming months...this would be a great addition...hopefully the maps and GPS are decent. Not really a waste of money though.
Has anyone else noticed that the 4 big buttons in that photos are in a color order that corresponds exactly with the colors in the Windows logo?
Clockwise starting with upper left, it's red, green, yellow, blue.
Coincidence?!
...big buttons, a dent in your wallet, and Man Hands?
Ooh, look! Another way to distract the driver and put a vehicle into Bumper-car Mode!
Also see -
http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2010/gps_distraction/main.html
- and assuming driver is using it for GPS or other 'important' driving feature and not, say, their favorite game or movie...
hey look, its windows mobile 7!
You want it?
It's all yours my friend, as long as you have enough rupees.