Mobile Electronics Australia

The Consumer Electronics Show opened in Vegas yesterday, and here in our look at Day One, we bring you the latest in head units and included technologies.

I woke this morning, excited, knowing that the CES finally got under way in Vegas over night. I was thinking the entire buzz would be about amplifier technology, new speakers, OEM Integration etc. But no, all the opening day hype revolves around head units;  who said head units are dead? It seems the major head unit brands are not taking the future lightly. All the brands have hit the market hard with increased ranges that include features that make it easier to connect to your media devices.

Internet Radio is the key.

More suppliers will launch in-dash head units that control internet radio applications via USB cable or Bluetooth from iPhones and other Smartphone devices. Control of apps such as Pandora, Aha and iHeart are common place in the new ranges of head units.

Until now you could only find the Pandora application control in a couple of head units from Alpine and Pioneer. Now JVC, Kenwood and Sony will join them in offering extensive ranges of CD tuners, AV control centres and full Navigation units that offer full control of Pandora Internet Radio via a USB connection from your iPhone or Smartphone device. Alpine and Pioneer will expand their ranges with many new models added.

For those not familiar with Pandora, it is a downloadable application that combines digital internet radio stations into one handy place. It allows the user to enter information on song titles, artists or genres and it will find and customize playlists according to your recommendations.  When combined with one of these head units connected via USB cable the user can pause, skip, bookmark songs, thumbs up/down plus album artwork and song/artist info can all be controlled and displayed on the head unit screen.  

Prices on these head units featuring Pandora control will drop dramatically in the US; this is due to Pandora control being included on more entry level models whereas it was only available previously on higher range Alpine and Pioneer models. 

Some unique features on offer include Sony offering Pandora head unit control via Bluetooth from other Smartphone devices such as Blackberry and Android operating phones. JVC will be offering iHeart radio app control with over 750 stations available. Pioneer units can control the Aha radio app with over 100 stations; the Aha app also has the ability to turn your social media updates into audible text.   

Sony is also showing in-car Blu-ray AV control centres for the first time.

Your favourite brands.    

Pioneer

Pandora internet radio control is available from 9 new model head units; these units feature full USB connection control and include album artwork and song artist info on compatible models.

Along with Pandora, Aha radio is a buzz word for the new range of Pioneer AVIC head units. The Aha radio mobile application can turn popular social media content from the likes of Facebook and Twitter into actual audio broadcasts. Pioneer also offers a special “app mode” that brings video content from your iPhone to head unit screens.  

The headline act is the new AVIC-2 130BT. This fully featured AV/NAV unit has the ability to stay connected to your favourite social network app converting updates audibly, or full Pandora control whist continuing to Navigate. It also features voice control for navigation input addresses. The 7” screen features all new 3D graphics and the unit has 4GB of internal memory. Retail price is listed at US$1500. 

Sony

Many may have expected Sony to take a backward step with its range of head units for 2011, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sony are back in a big way and are really taking the next step for 2011. Headline features for their new range include Blu-ray playback and Pandora internet radio control. Sony has also showcased a new OEM Integration device at the CES.

Pandora control for Sony is a little different, Sony has opted for Pandora control via Bluetooth, this allows their head units to control Pandora from a range of devices, not just the iPhone.

The Blu-ray unit on display is a prototype for now, which will be included in the next range of AV Control Centres.

The main emphasis for Sony revolves around a new range of three AV Control Centres - the XAV-62BT, XAV-622 and the flagship XAV-72BT. A fully featured 7” touch screen AV Centre with rear USB, full wireless Bluetooth, new stylish GUI (graphic user interface), simple menu system with large easy touch buttons, music playback with album artwork and iPod/iPhone video playback. Retail price in the US is $650.

Something that seems to have shocked the ME industry is Sony showing a new OEM Integration device. While there is not much in the way of specifications or availability at the moment,  what I do know is that it comprises of 4 separate pieces, an iPod cradle, a DSP black box, an amplifier and even a subwoofer? Stay tuned for more information on this one....

JVC

JVC is showing many new head unit products with features such as new Bluetooth technology that is capable of hands free calling; you can make and receive calls directly through the head unit via voice dialling.  Another interesting feature is the ability to connect two iPod or iPhones to the same head unit, allowing you to have two distinct ringtones and the head unit will light up in different colours per device. You also have the ability to transfer full contact lists from your device to the head unit. Bluetooth is again the feature with full audio streaming capability.

JVC has released a simple Bluetooth adapter for all models in the range meaning even the most inexpensive unit can have Bluetooth control. The KS-BTA100 adds on easy through the rear AUX-in terminals.

Higher end models also features full Pandora Internet Radio control.

The flagship model AV unit is the KW-AVX840. A 7”, detachable face AV unit that features full wireless Bluetooth, USB connection, 2 way iPod / iPhone control and EXT mode for playback via iPhone apps. This unit also retails in the US for $650. It seems to be the targeted price for all brands.

Alpine

Always a favourite to visit at the CES, Alpine has not disappointed its fans this year with its head unit offerings.

Whilst being one of the only brands to feature Pandora internet radio control in the past, Alpine has now increased its range of “Pandora” units to 4 models. This has allowed for reduced prices in the US across all models. Alpine units featured include the full array of Pandora iPhone controls via USB connection, and standard features such as track pause, skip, thumbs up/down, album artwork and song/artist info.

Alpine has also included a head unit model for the first time that features two iPod USB ports, one on the front, the other in the rear loom. Other new Alpine head unit features for 2011 revolve around Satellite XM Radio add-ons, and the inclusion of built in HD Radio (neither technology relevant to Australia at this time).

The new flagship model is the INA-W910. A full featured AV/Navigation unit with built in HD Radio, iTunes tagging, full wireless Bluetooth and full USB connected Pandora control. Pricing is unknown at this stage however MEA will have more information on this one soon.    

Kenwood

Kenwood has announced 9 new models with Pandora Internet Radio control. Other new features for Kenwood in 2011 include in-built HD Radio, two iPod/iPhone connections and stereo Bluetooth playback, all available on the new range of 5 AV/Navigation units. For the first time Kenwood will offer 11 models with Bluetooth technology, starting at less than US$200.

Kenwood has included two ‘mechless’ units in their 2011 range at US$450 and US$500. The higher model features full Pandora Internet Radio control, support for rear view camera, video playback from iPod/iPhone and full handsfree Bluetooth technology.

Five new model AV/Navigation units lead the way for Kenwood this year, ranging from US$1150 - $2000 in price.  All feature full Pandora control via USB connection and built in NAVTEQ live traffic information updates, free for the life of the unit (exclusive to Kenwood). The top of the range DNX9980HD also adds voice control and two iPod/ iPhone connections.

Clarion

Clarion has bucked the trend and will not feature head units that control Pandora Internet Radio via USB connection, instead opting for Bluetooth control only. Clarion says this reduces the amount of control you can have over the app, but should also keep the prices of their new units lower.

For 2011, Clarion has introduced their first built in HD Tuner mechless unit and two new flagship AV-Navigation units. For the first time Clarion will have 10 models that feature iTunes tagging.

The two new flagship AVN units feature higher speed CPU’s, new swipeable active/animated GUI’s with customizable features, full WVGA-resolution touch screens that Clarion claims offer 4x better resolution than previous models.  The Double DIN NX501 is a 6.2” touch screen model and the NZ501 is a 7” motorized single DIN model, both are US$999 with included Parrot Bluetooth.

Well that’s the wrap up of what’s new in head units for 2011, I must admit I hadn’t even heard much about Pandora until today. I know I will be looking out for it when it comes to choosing a new head unit in the future.

The head unit is back, now for amplifiers....