Syed Imran Haider 
TikTok seems to be everywhere in the world. The social media app has now made its way to vehicles, initiating the new journey with the upcoming Mercedes- Benz E-Class that will hit the market in 2023.
The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class will comprise the latest version of the MBUX infotainment system. It is a precursor to MB.OS, a custom-built operating system launched by Mercedes. The automaker plans to unveil the next generation of its vehicles that it will bring to the market by the last quarter of 2024.
Apps to Come to New Mercedes E-ClassÂ
While the new Mercedes E-Class will have many apps besides TikTok, it seems to be the most exciting choice of the company because it shows Mercedes’ presence and interest in the Chinese market. Interestingly, TikTok will also be a part of the new Mercedes E-Class in many markets, including the U.S., wherein the social media app is no longer available after the governmental ban.
According to Ola Källenius – the CEO of Mercedes CEO, TikTok is highly relevant. And one should not forget that below or around 40 years is the average age of an S-Class owner in China. Källenius says when the company chooses different apps, it goes region by region or maybe, market by market. Mercedes looks at the most used items or things, including films or music, and tries to go with that list.
The newly updated MBUX will comprise a super-screen spanning the entire dashboard. It will let drivers tap the TikTok app to watch different video clips while the car is in the parking lot. Mercedes will also allow the passengers to get into the action by giving them access to a part of the screen placed directly in front of them.
The passenger screen in the Mercedes Benz E-Class has a limited view field, disallowing the driver to watch TikTok videos on that screen. The driver-monitoring system will track where the driver looks.
Zoom will be a part of the Mercedes Benz E-Class.
As mentioned earlier, Mercedes has also shortlisted other apps for its E-Class infotainment system. These apps include Angry Birds, Cisco apps’ Webex, Vivaldi web browser, and Zoom video conferencing. More apps will make their way into vehicles through software updates.
Mercedes’s new software architecture makes it easy to include third-party apps into the infotainment system. The system also comprises an updated app store accessible through the app known as Mercedes Me. The automaker giant also revealed an expanded partnership with Luminar, a lidar company.
The automaker also included the interior of the forthcoming E-Class model in the announcements made on Wednesday in Sunnyvale, California. Mercedes announced its long-term partnership with Google aiming to give the German vehicle manufacturer control over its marketplace and IP. It also offered drivers ease with navigation applications, maps, and YouTube services by Google. The automaker also unveiled details about its operating system called MB.OS. Mercedes anticipates the operating system debut in the next generation of its vehicles in the coming years.
