The popularity of the Apple iPhone in Germany – over 100,000 people have bought iPhones there since its launch in November 2007 – has prompted Mercedes-Benz to offer what it claims is an industry first.
The luxury car-maker has unveiled a new cradle specifically for the device which boosts reception and moves controls and display onto the steering wheel and dashboard.
A company report said the move was an acknowledgement by Mercedes of Apple’s current dominance in the mobile arena.
It said the cradle offered owners the means to seamlessly integrate the device’s music and telephone functions into their vehicles’ architecture.
The cradle is available now for the Mercedes-Benz C-, E-, CLK-, CLS-, S-, CL-, SL-, M- and R-Class – as well as the in the future for the forthcoming GLK-Class).
Available for € 249 – including VAT – the cradle is installed in the centre console, making it easy for both the driver and the passenger to reach out for the device.
The iPhone’s media player and phone functions can be controlled with the help of the multifunction steering wheel controls, so you never really have to take your hands off the steering wheel to control the device.
The vehicle’s display indicates the phone status, music functions and more.
Because the device automatically connects to the vehicle aerial when inserted into the cradle it actually boosts the iPhone’s signal.
What’s more, the iPhone is also constantly recharged when placed in its cradle.
For non-iPhone owners, the company says future cradles for other mobile phones are on their way.
Tag: mobile
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Mercedes provides mobile home for the iPhone
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Surging demand for mobile connectivity and services such as HD streaming IPTV poses dilemma for broadband network operators in Europe
The number of notebook PCs with HSPA/LTE mobile broadband connectivity in Europe will grow from 8.4 million in 2007 to 49 million in 2013, according to researchers.
A study by analyst firm Berg Insight says the development will be driven by consumer demand for ubiquitous internet access.
It forecasts that rather than replacing fixed networks for internet access, mobile broadband will be a complementary access technology to the connection available at home.
But Tobias Ryberg, a senior analyst at Berg Insight, said the explosion in network utilisation – which equates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.1 – will present the mobile network infrastructure with a “formidable challenge”.
As embedded HSPA/LTE chipsets gradually become a standard feature in notebook PCs designed for the European market over the coming three to five years, end-users will simply need to insert a SIM-card into their computer to get online at virtually any location.
“Every mobile broadband service provider has a dilemma,” he said. “On the one hand they have a highly attractive proposition – a novel mobile service with high ARPU.
“On the other hand, the very popularity of the service stretches the mobile network infrastructure to its utmost limit – threatening to degrade the level of service for all subscribers.”
Mobile data traffic, primarily generated by USB-sticks and PC-cards, already exceeds mobile voice traffic in terms of volumes on advanced markets.
In Sweden for example, some half a million mobile broadband terminals are estimated to have generated twice as much network load as all 10 million handsets in the country combined.
Consumers already account for 80 per cent of the data volume in spite of only making up roughly 40 per cent of the mobile broadband subscriber base.
The report says the main response by operators has been to impose some restrictions on data traffic.
It adds that the actual data speed is normally much lower than advertised due to lack of network capacity.
Ryberg concludes that significant network investments are urgently needed if operators want to keep up with demand.
“In a few years, internet users will expect to be able to view full-HD streaming IPTV via their Internet connection,” he said.
“Then it will not do to offer 14.4 Mbps which is actually 1 Mbps or unlimited data traffic which is in reality limited to a few gigabyte per month.” -
Chinese firm launches USB dongle for live HDTV
European viewers can now watch live high-definition television programming on their mobile devices using a USB TV dongle developed by the Chinese company Aigo.
The dongle, first released for the Chinese market in April, is compatible with European HDTV standards.
It will enable users to watch live HDTV on their laptops, desktop computers, portable video players and portable navigation (GPS) devices.
Viewers simply plug the device into their PC or portable video player’s USB port to capture HD programming wirelessly from local TV stations.
Feng Jun, president and founder of Aigo, said: “People across China, and now also in Europe, will have access to live HDTV on their laptops and portable video players.”
The new product costs approximately USD 100 and requires no subscription fee.
Legend Silicon was involved in the design of the dongle receiver.
The company, in conjunction with Intel, has been working with laptop computer manufacturers and USB dongle receiver manufacturers to build an ecosystem that promotes HDTV on laptops.
A key element of this has been the Intel Centrino platform, whch has advantages in supporting mobile HDTV on laptops.
The platform allows speedy decoding and smooth displaying of HDTV and is capable of running multiple tasks while displaying a TGV program.
The Centrino platform’s low power consumption technology makes the laptop thinner, lighter and offers a longer battery life, as well as improved mobile reception.
In addition, advanced wireless technology offers a smooth upstream channel, allowing audiences to interact with programs that they are watching.
Major laptop manufacturers have shown their willingness to collaborate with Legend Silicon and Intel to promote this new usage model.
Lenovo, HP, ASUS, Sony, Samsung, Toshiba, among other major brands, all agree that the advanced Intel Centrino platform, integrated with the HDTV DTTB USB dongle, will expand the multimedia and entertainment functionality of laptops.
The HDTV viewing feature is expected to be a stimulus for laptop sales.
Aigo, a brand of Beijing Huaqi Information Digital Technology Co. Ltd, is headquartered in Beijing’s Zhong Guan Cun – a technology hub known as the “Silicon Valley of China”.
Founded in 1993, the company has established itself as China’s strongest consumer electronics brand through aggressive R&D investment, coupled with strong marketing and branding.
It is the first Chinese partner of the F1 McLaren Mercedes team (Hamilton, Alonso),
Huaqi sales revenue has increased 60 per cent annually for the last decade. Its products are exported to North America, South America, Europe, SE Asia and various other regions.