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Audiovox intros ACA250 wireless DIY back-up camera system
We'll go ahead and state the obvious here: Audiovox claims this thing is made for DIY installations, but we'd highly recommend hiring a professional if you're totally green at this stuff. You know, considering the immense importance of alignment and the like when it comes to a rear-view back-up camera system. Anyways, the wireless ACA250 kit provides drivers with a color camera (110-degree viewing angle), infrared LEDs for night vision and a monitor that can be plugged into an AC adapter or hard-wired. Not too shabby for $129 -- assuming you're up to the task of putting it all together, that is. Full release after the jump.
Sanyo crams SSDs into new duo of in-car navigation systems
If you've ran smack into any flavor of foreign object while waiting impatiently for your navigator to "recalculate," you'll likely be salivating for Sanyo's latest duo. The NVA-MS1280DT and NVA-MS1180DT each feature a 4GB SSD drive (though the former adds a 4GB SD card and DVD support), a 7-inch QVGA display, 43-watt x 4 internal amplifier, MP3 / WMA / AAC playback, a 1-seg TV tuner, 3D maps, FM tuner and iPod support. In all seriousness, the SSD is bundled in not so much for its speed, but for its reliability -- either way, we can't help but be enamored. Both units are slated to land in June for ¥181,650 ($1,761) and ¥155,400 ($1,506), respectively, so it's fairly easy to see those solid state discs aren't being thrown in gratis.[Via NaviGadget]
ATX proposes .car TLD for expected influx of in-car internet users
With the ability to surf the web in-car inevitably coming to more and more motorcars, ATX Group, the self-proclaimed "largest independent telematics services provider to the automotive industry," has announced an initiative with the Connected Vehicle Trade Association to "convene an international work group to address how to safely access internet content through embedded and nomadic devices in vehicles." Aside from that, it's also proposing a generic top-level domain -- .car -- that would presumably dumb down websites for use in the vehicle. Of course, you won't find us cheering on a movement to generate yet another worthless TLD, but we'd certainly be down with text-to-speech software that read the latest gadget headlines (just an example, is all) aloud as you cruised the freeway.
Panasonic reveals duo of HDD-based Strada in-dash navigators
Just two days shy of their one-year birthday, Panasonic is introducing a couple of successors in the Strada F-Class line. Announced in Japan, the June-bound CN-HX1000D and CN-HW1000D are both destined for gaping holes in dashes and possess a 7-inch 800 x 480 resolution display, built-in Bluetooth, iPod compatibility, AM / FM tuners, digital terrestrial TV tuner, DVD / CD player and an internal hard drive for storing map data and Sade jams. The only noticeable difference is the physical size; the former is a single-DIN unit while the latter touts a double-DIN frame. These two also allow for home control, so you can lock your doors, turn the heat down and flip off the porch light from the driver's seat. Sure sounds pleasant, if only they weren't ¥354,900 ($3,388) apiece.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Motorola's Smart Rider in-vehicle phone takes handsfree to the next level
Oh sure, we've seen handsets designed to spend more time riding shotgun than hyperventilating in your front pocket, but Motorola's Smart Rider may actually break out in hives if removed from the comfort of your car's cabin. All joshing aside, this unique "in-vehicle phone" plays on GSM bands and features built-in GPS navigation services, voice activation, Bluetooth and a microphone / speakerphone. You'll also get a 2.8-inch display, turn-by-turn guidance, real-time traffic information and automatic re-routing. Regrettably, Moto's all hush-hush on pricing, but it'll be available for those that want this June.
Indy Racing League to stuff HD cameras inside select cars
Though we already knew the entire 2008 IndyCar Series would be broadcast in high-definition, many may have glossed over one crucial (to us, anyway) element: a minimum of six cars in each race "will be carrying onboard HD cameras with 360-degree panning capabilities." Of course, NASCAR fans know all too well the joys of seeing things from within the frame, but this marks the first time professional racing has used cameras of the HD variety to entertain. Reportedly, the devices will be "lipstick-sized and mounted in a protective shell atop the car's air intake, and panning [will be] controlled by technicians operating joysticks." Of note, drivers who carry the cams will vary from race to race, but we do know that Helio Castroneves, Danica Patrick (surprised?) and Dan Wheldon will be among those chosen for the opener.[Image courtesy of G4TV, thanks Geoff]
Clarion intros NAX973HD HDD-based navigation unit
Though it's hard to see where Clarion's NAX973HD fits in between in-dash units installed at the factory and portable navigators, we suppose folks already drawn to a dedicated display or totally infatuated with this thing's software may be in love. Marketed as a nav system that will churn out directions in Europe much quicker than those disc-based systems, this unit features a 30GB internal hard drive, 12-channel GPS receiver, built-in gyro sensor / RDS-TMC tuner for traffic information, pre-loaded NAVTEQ maps of 30 countries, voice recognition / text-to-speech capabilities, 2D / 3D map views and a VGA output to boot. Unfortunately, word on the street pegs this thing at £795 ($1,579) without a display, so we'd probably steer clear unless you're crazy about automotive installations.[Via Tech Digest]
BMW's ConnectedDrive brings the whole internet to your car... on EDGE
And you thought puttering around the intarwebz on your EDGE-capable iPhone was bad -- just think of trying to find anything on the 'net while accidentally moseying through a dodgy part of town. Nevertheless, BMW is gearing up to offer "unrestricted access" to the web as an option in any new 2008 vehicle, but alas, it's only for European clients at the moment. Of course, BMW's no stranger to letting bits and pieces of the web into its motorcars, but this creation will let you catch up on the latest gadget news and pre-order the latest Elmo doll from the comfort of your heated seat. Sadly, the service is only available to front seat passengers when the car is moving under 3mph (it's for the best, we know), but your kiddos can surf into all sorts of bizarre chatrooms while seated in the rear. Nothing like a predator tailing you on the autobahn!
DirecTV's NASCAR Hotpass, now in HD
DirecTV's NASCAR HotPass service just got better, since it will be available in high definition for the 2008 season. Subscribers get four dedicated driver channels with multiple camera angles and chatter from the driver to their pit crew, plus a fifth race channel that offers 13 different in-car driver audio feeds. The service kicks off with the Daytona 500 (free for all!), featuring drivers Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick, and will be available throughout the Winston Nextel Sprint Cup Series season for $109, or $19.99 per-week.
2009 Ford F-150 to get Sirius Travel Link
We already heard that the 2009 Lincoln MKS would be the first vehicle from Ford Motor Company to feature Sirius' forthcoming Travel Link system, but now those of you scouting a new pickup can rejoice as well. Starting with the '09 year model, F-150 trucks will be available with SYNC and Travel Link, providing users with an in-dash USB port and auxiliary input, 911 Assist, Vehicle Health Report, voice-activated navigation / radio / climate control / etc. and a 10-speaker Sony sound system to boot. Just the tools you need to efficaciously tackle those mountains, right?[Via CNET, image courtesy of Autoblog]
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.
Entire 2008 IndyCar season broadcast in HD on ESPN & ABC
Fans of open wheel racing rejoice, ESPN and ABC have announced they will broadcast all 16 events of 2008 in high definition. Just like ESPN's "most advanced" NASCAR coverage, all the cameras covering the event will be HD, including in-car. The 16 races will consist of seven each aired on ESPN2 and ABC, two on ESPN, as well as 16 Indy Pro Series races that will air on ESPN2-HD. Last year's Indianapolis 500 was the first IndyCar event in HD and now its far from the last. ESPNews, ESPN U, X Games and now IndyCar have gotten the 720p treatment, we just want to know what they will do next.
Ford shows off Sirius Travel Link: real-time data for your navi
Sure, Microsoft's Sync isn't a half bad addition to the motorcars equipped with it, but this inclusion really gets the saliva glands working. Debuting at CES, the Sirius Travel Link system will enable owners to obtain "up-to-the-minute information and entertainment content through the vehicle's navigation system." More specifically, motorists will be able to fetch current gas prices from a database of stations, local, real-time traffic information in 78 markets, coast-to-coast weather information, sports scores and even movie listings. The system will officially launch in the 2009 Lincoln MKS, and while specifics (like pricing) aren't mentioned, we do know that it'll be offered in "multiple" Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles by the year's end.[Via AutoblogGreen]
Cartel's nostalgic handsfree system brings back the car phone
Yeah, we did a double take upon seeing the above image too, but believe it or not, that car phone is actually a new Bluetooth handsfree system. Developed by Cartel Mobile Solutions, this in-car setup can reportedly be installed into nearly any whip and will connect up with most every BT-enabled handset. From there, it mysteriously warps you back to the 1990s where you can dial on near-Chiclet sized buttons; once the haze clears, it ushers you back to modern day by enabling motorists to chat without holding anything up to their yapper. Users can opt to wire it to their vehicle's sound system or plug in an external speaker, and yes, that display you see does indeed handle Caller ID duties. Unfortunately, no price was readily apparent, but you can bring that 1979 Buick of yours a few years closer to the 21st century by hitting Cartel up for purchasing details.[Thanks, Mickel]
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pure Digital intros Highway in-car DAB radio
Pure Digital is probably already bringing that DAB goodness to your dwelling, but we know how bad the withdrawals can be once you head out to the car. No worries, though, as the firm is cranking out "the world's first in-car DAB digital radio that doesn't require complicated installation," which is a fancy way of explaining that this unit relies on FM transmission to get DAB signals into your vehicle's stereo. As expected, the Highway gets its juice from a cigarette lighter adapter, and users simply affix a small DAB antenna on their windshield, find an open FM slot and tune their in-dash radio to match the station. Furthermore, the unit can even be used on-the-go, as it includes a built-in headphone jack and can go for six hours on a pair of AA cells. It even sports an auxiliary input along with Pure's ReVu technology to pause / rewind live content, and if any new features crop up in the future, owners can update their device via USB. Thrill someone you love (yeah, that can be you) this holiday season when it lands for £69.99 ($146).[Via Gadgeteer]
Panasonic showcases in-dash Blu-ray head unit
Car AV enthusiasts, listen up. Panasonic has a new in-dash head unit that just might be worth waiting for -- if you'd enjoy Blu-ray in your dash, that is. At the Tokyo Motor Show in Japan, Panny was busy showing off a new single-DIN unit that played back Blu-ray discs, sported an HDMI output and is even set to support full surround sound / BD-Java. Unfortunately, that pretty much sums up the details: no price, no release date and no model number, but be sure to check out two more looks posted after the break.[Via Blu-ray]
