Pioneer Electronics, a specialist in aftermarket car electronics technology, announced the availability of AppRadio, which is claimed to be the first vehicle product designed to utilize the processing power, storage capacity, network connectivity and apps of the iPhone (News - Alert) and iPod touch (4th generation) as the primary source for its information and entertainment capabilities.
Featuring a capacitive touchscreen, AppRadio enables control of most functions using similar touch and motion gestures like those provided by today’s advanced smartphones.
AppRadio features a larger 6.1-inch screen designed specifically for safer in-vehicle operation. It also features a built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and an input for an optional vehicle mounted rear facing back-up camera.
Pioneer’s AppRadio app is now enhanced with access to iPhone’s Contacts, Calendar and Photos apps. Contacts provide direct access to stored contact information for hands-free calling via Bluetooth, routing via Google (News - Alert) Maps. Users can quickly send their current locations via e-mail. Calendar displays stored calendar and events information. Photos provide on-screen viewing of the user’s photos, slide shows, geotagged photos and videos taken with an iPhone 4.
Launched in May, AppRadio already supports apps like MotionX-GPS Drive, Inrix, Traffic, Rdio, Pandora (News - Alert), and iPhone’s Google Maps and iPod music library.
“The smartphone continues to change the landscape of our industry and Pioneer’s AppRadio is the first aftermarket product to fully embrace the iPhone 4 for use in the automobile,” said Ted Cardenas, director of marketing for the car electronics division of Pioneer Electronics (USA), in a statement. “With a familiar and intuitive interface and the ability to add features by simply updating or adding apps, the AppRadio is the ultimate car stereo for the iPhone 4 user.”
AppRadio software has been developed in an updatable format offering the potential for future hardware, software and as app compatibility changes.
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Rajani Baburajan is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Rajani's articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by John Lahtinen