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Alpine delivers trio of new in-car navigators
If that '92 Riviera is getting a bit long in the tooth, Alpine's got a trifecta of ways to simply spruce it up rather than take on an all-too-burdensome new car payment. Both the IVA-W203/P1 and IVA-W505/P1 are double-DIN head units with touchscreen displays (6.5- / 7-inches, respectively), support for iPods / sat ratio / HD Radio / Bluetooth, preloaded NAVTEQ maps of the US and Canada, a foursome of map viewing options and text-to-speech for good measure. For those with single-DIN gaps in the dash, there's the all new IVA-D106, which offers up a slide-out 7-inch touch panel, 18-watt x 4 amplifier and support for navigation via the optional NVE-P1 drive. All three systems are available as we speak for $1,100, $1,400 and $350 in order of mention.[Via NaviGadget]
Alpine's head unit supports iPods, DivX playback and everything else
When you call your product a Mobile Multimedia Solution it had better offer up a pretty robust set of connectivity options; especially when it costs $1,100. In that manner, Alpine's new WXGA touch-screen IVA-W505 doesn't disappoint. The 7-inch DVD/CD/MP3/AAC/WMA/DivX AV head unit offers Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and touch control over all your in-car digital media sources. The list includes HD/Sat radio (with iTunes tagging) and MP3/WMA players like iPods and USB sticks. The double-DIN unit is IMPRINT, acoustic-correction ready and serves as a dock for Alpine's PMD-B200 portable GPS unit. Sweet. Available now through authorized dealers in North America.
Alpine adds brains to in-car equalization with IMPRINT architecture
We've already seen a few of Alpine's latest products take advantage of its IMPRINT sound system architecture, but now we're finally getting a few more details on what the technology actually brings to the proverbial table. Put simply, it utilizes Audyssey's MultEQ acoustic correction technology to "measure and analyze the entire interior space," after which it combines results with a set of equalization filters to produce the best sound for each environment. As if that weren't impressive enough, the integrated RoadEQ is also there to "compensate for music distorted by vehicle / road noise." Granted, this all sounds fairly spectacular on paper, but whether or not it actually redefines your in-car listening experience remains to be seen heard.
Alpine set to introduce PND-K3 GPS unit
We already caught sight of the new Alpine headunits that leaked out in the company's 2008 catalog, and the folks at Navigadget have now brought our attention to a new GPS unit that made an appearance in the very same PDF. Available in PND-K3 and PND-K3msn versions (the latter of which adds support for MSN Direct), the unit boasts a standard 4.3-inch touchscreen, along with pre-loaded maps of the US and Canada, six million POIs, an SD card slot for expansion, bulit-in Bluetooth for handsfree calling, and an added cradle on the MSN-specific model. Still no word on a price or exact release date, but we'd expect those little details to make themselves known when the unit makes its official debut at CES. [Warning: PDF link][Via Navigadget]
Alpine announces iDA-X200 and X300 iPod-friendly headunits for 2008
Alpine's cutting straight to the chase with its new iDA-X200 and iDA-X300 headunits. Forgoing a CD mechanism entirely, the two systems are designed primarily for use with an iPod, though they do pack a few extra goodies. The X200 works with Alpine's Sound Imprint system for some fancy DSP, while the X300 has USB input for pulling media off of non-iPod sources. No word on price or availability.
Alpine eX-10 makes in-car handsfree calling, iPod integration a sinch
Alpine's already shown us (however briefly) one of its newfangled in-car audio accessories, and now it's time for numero dos. The eX-10 is a stylish iPod controller / Bluetooth adapter that includes a dash-mountable, full-color 2.4-inch display unit to clearly show what's spinnin' on your iPod. It also comes bundled with a remote to keep you marginally less distracted when flipping through playlists, and it saves you the trouble of hard wiring anything by operating on a spare FM slot. Granted, FM transmitters are always hit 'n (mostly) miss, but this unit allows users to hook things up via a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary jack if their head unit accepts such an input. Look for this one to start shipping at any moment for $199.99, and be sure to check out a closeup of the LCD after the jump.
Alpine's TUA-T550HD tunes HD Radio, supports iTunes tagging
The natural successor to the TUA-T500HD does more than just enable a slew of HD Radio-ready Alpine head units to tune into HD Radio, as it throws in that recently unveiled iTunes tagging feature for good measure. Hailed as "one of the first in-car applications combining HD Radio with iTunes tagging," this accessory will team up with Alpine's latest lineup of in-dash players to let users bookmark over-the-air tracks for purchase at a later time, effectively eliminating the "Now what was that song?" syndrome. Sadly, we've yet to see a definitive price or release date, but you can rest assured that the TUA-T550HD is on the way.
Alpine intros PMD-B200 Blackbird II GPS unit
It's getting close to two years since Alpine trotted out its music-playing PMD-B100 Blackbird GPS unit, but the company has now finally decided to deliver a follow-up. From the looks of it, the new PMD-B200 Blackbird II doesn't stray too far from the original in terms of form factor, with the exception of a slightly larger 4-inch 480 x 272 resolution display. Also getting an upgrade are the device's storage options, with an uncommonly spacious 10GB hard drive now included although, as NaviGadget points out, it's not entirely clear how much of that space is actually available for you to use. Otherwise, you can expect the usual MP3 and WMA audio options (no video, it seems), along with pre-loaded maps of the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada, an SD card slot for additional storage, and support for NAVTEQ's Traffic FM-RDS service (with a subscription, of course). If that'll do, you should be able to grab one of these now for about $700.
Doc Mac shows off Colorwared iPhone
Doc Macenstein dropped us a note about his new Colorwared (can I use that as a verb?) iPhone, and just like everything else Colorware has done, it looks pretty darn sweet.The only problem, though, is that the process is not only pretty pricey-- a full paint job, including dock, earbuds, and button, will run you a whopping $219-- and it takes an eternity to get done: three long weeks. Don't get me wrong-- Colorware probably needs every bit of that to make sure the paint job is good and even, because their final product usually comes out great. But as the Doc told us, three weeks without an iPhone is a long time to miss out on the burgeoning hack scene.Still if your iPhone has to be in shades of "Mystique" and "Blush" rather than the standard black and metal, they'll get it done.
Alpine offers up KCE-300BT Bluetooth Interface Module for in-car head units
Alpine's got a fine streak going with regard to integrating consumer electronics into its snazzy head units, and now it's continuing the trend by offering up a do-it-all Bluetooth Interface Module. The KCE-300BT accessory acts as a bantam liaison between your Bluetooth-enabled handset and that brand new Ai-NET-compatible stereo, giving users the ability to hold handsfree conversations sans wires or complicated installations, and also allowing A2DP / AVRCP-compliant mobiles to stream tunes and control playback functions. Co-developed with Motorola to work specifically with Alpine's 2007 lineup of Ai-NET head units, it's possible this module would actually work with other BT-enabled units not manufactured by Alpine, but we're not so sure we'd press our luck. Anyways, the interface also allows users to peep caller ID information, missed / dialed calls, and on certain high-end units, you can even scroll through your address book, which we're certain is exactly what everyone around you on the freeway hopes you're eyes are glued to. Regardless, Alpine's KCE-300BT can add another dash of utility to your otherwise average in-dash media player next month for a (slightly steep) $220.[Via BlueTomorrow]
Alpine announces in-car AV unit / GPS docking station
Alpine has more on its plate at CES than the iPod-friendly iDA-X001, of course, also taking the opportunity to introduce a range of other in-car units, including this AV head unit with a docking station for its also-announced Bluetooth-equipped GPS device. The main IVA-W205 unit packs a relatively spacious 6.5-inch touchscreen, along with a CD/DVD slot and support for a range of other non-disc-based media, including XM or Sirius satellite radio with the appropriate tuner, iPod connectivity with full on-screen display, and USB connectivity for other MP3/WMA players. Pop in Alpine's latest Blackbird GPS unit, the PMD-B200, and the built-in Bluetooth will work its magic to transfer the device's GPS functions to the main unit, letting you swap the device between vehicles if you choose. Look for the IVA-W205 head unit to land in May for $1,000, with the PMD-B200 GPS unit also set to drop sometime in the spring, but for a yet to be determined price.[Via Autoblog]
Alpine's iDA-X001 priced and dated
Even though an almost monopolistic number of new cars come with iPod integration straight off the manufacturing line, consumers haven't relented in their search for the perfect iPod-car integration system. Based on early shots of Alpine's iDA-X001, it appears to come close to hitting this sweet spot of iPod integration. That's due in no small part to the statement that the Alpine was "designed and developed with input from Apple." Fortunately for all those iPod owners with cars out there -- we're guessing there's quite a few -- the company has started the countdown by committing to making the iDA-X001 available in February for $450.
Alpine's iDA-X001 iPod / media receiver forthcoming
iPod car integration has long since gone from being mythic desire to nearly stock feature, but plugging an iPod in via USB and it just running, that's still a pretty fresh experience. Alpine's forthcoming aftermarket iDA-X001 iPod / media-ready receiver promises just that having been "designed and developed with input from Apple." (Perhaps this is what Steve's gonna put in his Mercedes SL55 -- don't ask us how we know that.) Expect this too in the CES timeframe, all you iPod modding car audio mavens.
Alpine's KCE-415i car interface for iPod video
As followup to that audio-only Alpine KCA-420i iPod interface from oh, about 2 years ago, it looks like Alpine has been quietly pumping out an iPod video capable KCE-415i unit in Europe for the last month. Yet a North American KCA-415i version is, at best, stil only on display on the trade show circuit. The E-variety 415i retails for about $100 and allows you to play/pause, skip, fast-forward/rewind the main 5G iPod directly from your Alpine MultiMedia station or overhead monitor with additional controls available from the Alpine head unit, remote control, or iPod itself. The interface is seen by your Alpine system as an external DVD source and not only charges your iPod's battery, but allows the iPod to be switched on/off via your car's ignition system. The unit provides composite or S-Video outs and as you'd expect works with a wide-variety of Alpine monitors. So just kick-in the autosync on your iTunes season subscriptions and you'll never suffer the lack of fresh, child numbing content on those long-haul trips again. [Thanks, Jeff G]
