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Alpine intros Pandora-controlling iDA-X305S head unit, INA-W900 in-dash nav system
It's been a hot minute since we've heard the good word from Alpine, but as with pretty much every other outfit in the consumer electronics realm, said company has decided to spill its latest innovations here at CES. Most notable is the introduction of the iDA-X305S head unit, which is the firm's first digital media receiver to offer up direct control over the wildly popular Pandora iPhone app. Users simply connect their iPhone via the USB socket, and the head unit plays Pandora stations from the app -- simple as that. For those looking for something a touch more robust, there's the INA-W900 in-dash nav system. This one sports a 7-inch WVGA touchpanel, Burr-Brown 24-bit DAC, turn-by-turn guidance and six million POIs. Alpine's also unveiling new Type-R subwoofers, PDX amplifiers, the CDA-118M waterproof marine head unit and the PXE-H660 audio processor, all of which are detailed in the full release just after the break.
A car stereo built for the King (of phones)
No, you didn't click on the wrong link. We haven't changed our name to The Unofficial Audio Weblog. "Why, then, is my beloved Apple-centric site doing a review of a car stereo?!" you're no doubt asking yourself. 'Cause this thing rocks your iPhone like you've never heard before! Sony was nice enough to send us one of its newest models, the Xplod MEX-BT5700U, which happens to be the company's flagship head unit. With things like iPod integration via the front-mounted USB port and Bluetooth audio streaming, the $299 single-DIN stereo has an interesting mix of features that you'd expect to come at a higher price. First off, some ground rules. I'm not an audiophile. This isn't going to be a review chock full of decibel ratings or fancy audio terms. While I've had quite a few aftermarket stereos in my time, and I've installed my share of head units, car stereos aren't my living. Instead, I'll be focusing on its interface and various connections to iDevices. The specs The Xplod MEX-BT5700U is no slouch when it comes to traditional stereo benchmarks. It outputs 52W per channel without external amplification and has a separate subwoofer out. It'll play nearly any audio source including HD Radio (via an optional kit), satellite radio, CDs (the store-bought pressed ones in addition to CD-Rs and CD-RWs with MP3, AAC, or WMA data files), USB sticks and drives, a CD changer, and of course MP3 players. Oddly enough, there is no Memory Stick slot. (Thank goodness!) Oh yeah, it even gets AM!
ArcherMind shows off 'world's first' Android-based in-car nav system
One could argue that the Motorola Droid is in fact the first-ever Android-based in-car navigation solution, but we're surmising that ArcherMind would disagree. Over at the Embedded Technology 2009 trade show in Yokohama, the outfit has demonstrated an Android-laden navigation system that could actually be inserted as a factory option; curiously enough, it looks an awful lot like the AutoLinQ initiative that hit our radar back in June. The outfit is reportedly shopping the system -- which includes a 7-inch, 800 x 480 display -- to a variety of Chinese automakers, and given that it can browse the web via WiFi or 3G, connect with music players and phones over Bluetooth and even play back audio files stored on the HDD or SD slot, we can't imagine it being a tough sell.
Panasonic in-dash HD nav system & Blu-ray player ready to ship, are you ready for the price?
Don't think you can sell the kids short anymore, keeping the Blu-ray copy at home and taking DVD rips on the road, now that Panasonic is ready to deliver its in-dash Blu-ray player and 7-inch HD screen packing nav unit in September. We got a good peek at these back in April and the specs haven't changed, with the Profile 1.1 Bonus View compatible CY-BB1000D taking care of Blu-ray duties and featuring the same UniPhier guts as the company's line of living room Blu-ray players. The CN-HX3000D is a WXGA 1280x720p 7-inch LED backlit widescreen display ready to play back media via standard HDMI, iPod connector, SD card or its digital TV tuner, powered by Windows Automotive with navigation duties assisted by Google Maps and Yahoo! Japan. The CY-BB1000D is ¥99,750 ($1,057) and the CN-HX3000D is ¥365,400 ($3,872), and both arrive September 10 in Japan. We'll let you decide if around 5 grand is a good price for the in car HD experience (might want to look at custom mounting a DMP-B15, $800 and you can take it with you.)Read - CYBB1000DRead - CN-HX3000D
Alpine's NVE-M300 black box brings navigation to top head units
If you've been putting off that GPS purchase in hopes that Alpine would deliver a sleek, fully compatible solution for the head unit that you already splurged on, your lucky day has finally arrived. The altogether simplistic NVE-M300 GPS Navigation Drive is a simple black box that measures just barely more than 4- x 4- x 1-inches and is designed to interface with the company's top two selling in-dash AV head units: the iXA-W404 (4.3-inch display) and the IVA-W505 (7-inch touchscreen). The device features the outfit's own OnPoint Advanced GPS Positioning, turn-by-turn guidance, a solid-state gyro sensor and accelerometer, text-to-speech and pre-loaded NAVTEQ maps of the US and Canada. Unfortunately, all this beautiful harmony will cost you, and by "cost you," we mean "450 bones."
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]
Kenwood trots out iPhone-compatible I-K50 head unit
We suspect the whole "iPhone-friendly" bit is more marketing hoopla than anything else, as Kenwood's I-K50 head unit definitely lacks a straight-up dock connector, but that doesn't mean it won't play nice with Apple's latest handset. Boasting a USB port right on the front, the single-DIN deck gets down with iPods, iPhones and practically any DAP or PMP with a USB connector. Of course, it also supports those antiquated discs we Earthlings call "CDs," and the front-mounted auxiliary input makes it really easy to connect any source with a headphone output. It's set to drop in around a month in Japan for ¥23,100 ($259).[Via iPodNN]
Eclipse offering up CD7200 mk II in-dash head unit
Just in case you haven't had your fill of in-car audio news tonight, Eclipse is hitting us up with a brand spankin' new head unit of its own. The CD7200 mk II should slide right into any single-DIN gap, and it comes HD Radio / SAT radio-ready in case you grow tired of listening to those MP3 / WMA discs of yours. Additionally, this unit features a built-in USB port, eight-volt pre-amp, E-iSERV technology, iPod support and SRS Circle Surround to boot. Your guess is as good as ours when it comes to a price and release date, though, but we'd bet this one won't remain in the shadows for too much longer.
Clarion's double-DIN MAX685BT head unit sports Bluetooth, iPod controls
We've oh-so-little to go on right now, but initial impressions of the double-DIN MAX685BT are underwhelming at best. This in-dash AV center looks to sport a relatively ho hum display, integrated cellphone / navigation support and Bluetooth connectivity, but none of these totally expected features are likely to drop any jaws. Additionally, it plays nice with your dock-connecting iPod and offers up a built-in USB port, but unless Clarion reveals some earth-shattering addition that we're not yet aware of, we'll probably pass on this one.
Clarion unveils colorful double-DIN head units
Oh sure, we've seen plenty of flashy and sophisticated devices aimed at filling that gaping double-DIN hole in your dash, but how's about a device that 10-year old passengers and suckers for all-things-adorable would also dig? Enter Clarion's newest duo, which comes in either white (DUB275MP) or black (DUB275MPB; seen after the jump) and actually packs quite a nice feature set considering the lighthearted design. Aside from the CD drive, it also offers up a front-mounted USB port for loading up MP3 / WMA files, customizable accent lights, optional Bluetooth, AM / FM tuner, a 50-watt x 4 amplifier and a cutesy display to boot. Check 'em out later this month for ¥34,650 ($295) apiece.[Via ShinyShiny]
Pioneer cranks out slew of AVIC in-car navigation systems
Pioneer's been known to unveil new navigators fairly frequently, but the firm is starting October off right by introducing no fewer than nine new units for you to choose from. Starting at the top, the AVIC-HRZ009G / AVIC-HRV002G both sport seven-inch displays, DVD playback, support for MP3 / AAC / DivX formats, a terrestrial digital TV tuner, built-in hard drive and a wireless remote, with the only real difference being the in-dash design of the former and the on-dash (mountable) design of the latter. As your budget tightens, Pioneer ratchets the specs down on seven other similar siblings, giving users a ¥126,000 ($1,094) to ¥262,500 ($2,278) window of alternatives. Hit the read link for all the juicy details on each.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Parrot's new RK8200 car stereo plays nice with everything
Looking for a car stereo that does it all? Maybe the boys and girls at Parrot can help you out with its latest and greatest -- the RK8200. In a rare case of ultimate convergence, the electronics-maker is bringing you a head-unit for your vehicle which boasts a USB port, SD card reader, line-in jack, iPod connector, and A2DP Bluetooth support. Let's be honest -- that's a lot of options for your system. In addition to the Swiss-Army-like connectivity choices, the stereo has 2GB of onboard storage, and the faceplate drops down to reveal an area where you can store a device (or anything else). The RK8200 can also be coupled with a mobile phone for hands-free talking / dialing, can hold up to 8000 of your precious contacts, and touts voice recognition and intelligent microphone switching. Here's the kicker: you don't even have to rob a bank to get one of these puppies -- the stereo will be out by the end of the year for the very affordable price of £149.99 (or around $302).
Azentek stocking DiMora's $2 million ride with in-car electronics
If you thought the MyGIG or even Bose's Media System was high-class, Azentek is out to change your perception. Recently, the firm inked a deal with DiMora Motorcar "to provide high-performance computers for the Natalia SLS 2 sport luxury sedan." The ride, if you weren't aware, will be a hand-crafted $2 million, 16-cylinder production automobile, and will sport "at least two Atlas units" which boast voice recognition, FM / XM Radio / Sirius / HD Radio, Bluetooth, CD / MP3 / WMA / DVD support, GPS navigation, VoIP / cellphone integration, "over a terabyte" of storage, and Windows Vista for good measure. Additionally, users will be able to interface with the machines via touchscreen, keyboard / mouse, a handset, USB, auxiliary inputs, etc. Sure makes Blue&Me look like child's play, no?
Sony's XAV-W1 head unit: SACD in your dash
For the handful of audiophiles who simply cover their ears with their uber-expensive cans when the rational crowd invites them to stop hoping for SACD to take off, here's to you. Sony has launched the "world's first" (we believe it, actually) in-car head unit that supports 5.1 SACD. The double-DIN XAV-W1 touts a seven-inch WVGA LCD, SACD / CD / DVD playback, Dolby / DTS support, 3.5-millimeter auxiliary port, seven-band equalizer, 52-watt x 4 internal amplifier, a trio of AV inputs, an image viewer, MP3 / WMA compatibility, and comes ready to play nice with your iPod and satellite / HD radio receiver. Granted, this thing will run you more than some in-dash navigation systems, but paying $800 for this sure beats retrofitting a traditional universal player into your glove compartment.[Image courtesy of Krunker]
Sanyo intros NVA-HD1700DT double-DIN navigation system
Sanyo's taking a break from releasing all those projectors to focus on its in-car lineup, as it introduces a well-spec'd double-DIN navigation unit dubbed the NVA-HD1700DT. The head unit sports a seven-inch QVGA display, built-in DVD player and 30GB hard drive, and even a 1Seg TV tuner for catching up on sitcom reruns whilst stuck in traffic. Additionally, you'll find an FM tuner, 43-watt x 4 amplifier, and an integrated GPS antenna to keep you headed in the right direction. Unfortunately, there's no word on whether an Americanized version of this system will make its way over, but those in Japan can pick one up later this month for a staggering ¥285,600 ($2,332).[Via Impress]
Bose Media System crams GPS / media playback into your dash
Although Bose has become somewhat of a mainstay in the iPod speaker / overpriced headphone departments, the always controversial firm is kicking out a new device suited for your vehicle's dash. The simply-named Bose Media System head unit looks to replace that entirely antiquated cassette player you're still using, and offers up a solid mix of abilities all the while. Aside from the obvious navigation and CD playback functions, the universal player will also handle SACD, DVD-A, MP3, and AAC files burned onto a CD / DVD-R, and can also tune into XM (and Sirius?) broadcasts when not locked onto AM / FM transmissions. You'll also be graced with 5.1 playback, the uMusic mood-sensing system, proximity control sensors, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, USB 2.0 input for portable media access, and in typical Bose fashion, a mysteriously sized hard drive that reportedly holds "up to 200 hours" of content. Of course, don't expect Bose to divulge any details regarding wattage, screen specifications, or any other tidbit that could be helpful in weighing your in-dash options, but folks eying the forthcoming Ferrari 612 Scaglietti can expect it to debut in their ride for a currently undisclosed price.
Sony's easy MEX-BT2500 Bluetooth car stereo pairs with almost anything
In line with a growing concern for simultaneous calling / driving dangers, Sony releases the MEX-BT2500 Bluetooth head unit -- which isn't a far cry from last summer's MEX-BT5000, except for the makeover (or should we say under?) and huge drop in price. The stereo features an integrated microphone and wireless streaming for any Bluetooth-enabled cellphone, and is capable of remembering profiles for up to five different handsets. Bluetooth-enabled DAPs can also be paired with the 4-channel, 52-watt in-dash unit, while wired players can be connected via auxiliary input; if the you prefer to play CDs, Sony's got your back with support for MP3 and WMA encoded discs. As if that wasn't enough, musicphones supporting A2DP (like, ahem, many models from Sony Ericsson) can also be paired with this one, giving you pretty much the full slate of connection possibilities. Look for the BT2500 online and in stores by March, for around $180.
Pioneer launches AVIC-D3BT NAV head unit, handles DVD / iPod
Hot on the heels of England posting SAT NAV warning signs to help motorists rely less on their GPS and more on the read ahead of them comes Pioneer latest, are the firm is unleashing a UK-based head unit that does a little navigatin' while holding down your multimedia demands. The AVIC-D3BT is a double-DIN unit that boasts a 6.1-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth for handsfree calling, and a slick "iBus" iPod interface that actually gives users an on-screen scroll wheel to mimic the control scheme Pod users know so well. Additionally, it'll come bundled with European maps, 12 million POIs, multicolor illumination to customize the glow, and will play nice with MP3, WMA, AAC, DivX and even DVD discs. Slated to hit British stores in mid-March, the AVIC-D3BT is listed at £1,300 ($2,538), but savvy shoppers should it a few hundred pounds cheaper if snooping around.[Via Pocket-Lint]
Clarion showcases Bluetooth / SD FB275BT head unit, touts "no moving parts"
Clarion's already shown us its N.I.C.E. 430 navigation system here at CES, but its "semiconductor car stereo" stole the show by offering up an in-car stereo with "no moving parts," which means you won't find an optical drive or HDD in here. The single-DIN FB275BT instead receives music care of the SD slot (unfortunately, no SDHC support was mentioned) behind the front white panel or over Bluetooth, and pumps out the jams with it's 50-watt x 4 internal amplifier. Aside from also boasting handsfree connectivity with your mobile, it features an FM tuner (sorry, AM lovers), two-line LCD display, rear auxiliary input for your DAP of choice, two-channel RCA output, and a modest assortment of equalizer / bass boost presets. The faceplate boasts eight large, curved buttons as a part of Clarion's HMI (Human Machine Interface), which reportedly seeks to "minimizes the number of buttons while maximizing functionality," and plenty of indirect lighting keep it lookin' good when nightfall hits. So if you're ready to ditch the CD for good, you can pick up the FB275BT sometime this year for $249.99.[Via Tech-On]
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]
