Pioneer APP radio 2 for Apple Iphone and now for Android too!

Pioneer updated its App radio for 2012 .

The app radio 2 has a few impressive upgrades over App radio that came out late year.

App radio 2 now adds another set of RCA pre out for a total of two (hopefully it will have High pass filter for the front outputs and selectable high pass / low pass for the rear but i doubt it) The major upgrade and difference between app radio 1 and 2 is the addition of Android support fot the most popular droid phone out there. It will connect to android phones over MLH or micro HDMI. The rest of the features remain mostly unchanged, Am/Fm radio with RDS, No CD drive, USB for music and video from flash memory devices, Bluetooth hands free calling and audio streaming, back up camera input (but still no video output for rear seat monitors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) steering wheel control input, and the biggest pit fall for the unit...... YOU MUST INITIATE THE APPS FROM THE PHONE SCREEN BEFORE YOU CAN CONTROL THEM FROM THE PIONEER TOUCH SCREEN !!! YOU CAN NOT LAUNCH THE APP FROM THE TOUCH SCREEN :-(

In pioneers defence this is probably a limitation of the device (iPhone/droid) not the pioneer unit , because no company so fall has be able to do this either.

We should have a BETA unit to test in a couple of months, so check back . We will post a video of the hands on test drive of the new APP radio 2.

Carlos Ramirez  Mecp Master level Tech

NVS AUDIO 

908-527-6772

info@nvsaudio.com

www.NVSAUDIO.com

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Read the artical from 12 volt news .com below for more info

http://www.12voltnews.com/?p=35248

AppRadio 2 Adds Support for Select Androids

PIONEER’S NEXT GENERATION APPRADIO EXPANDS COMPATIBILITY

Ted Cardenas addresses the press assembled at the Venetian Hotel on Monday prior to opening day of CES 2012.

LAS VEGAS, NV (01.16.11) – Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., the leader in aftermarket car electronics technology, at CES unveiled AppRadio™ 2,  its newest smartphone powered in-vehicle audio system.  Guided by its  “rethinking connectivity” philosophy and the experience gained from the development of the first AppRadio platform, Pioneer’s  new AppRadio 2 contains all the features of the original AppRadio, while expanding compatibility to now include many of the latest Android smartphones equipped with either the Mobile High Definition Link (MHL) or a micro HDMI connection¹.

Pioneer AppRadio 2 now includes menu buttons for Android powered phones.

This expansion means the AppRadio 2 supports both of the most popular smartphone platforms and provides a solution for integrating these devices safely and easily into the vehicle.  The AppRadio 2’s capacitive touchscreen is a larger 7-inch size, but like the original, enables control of supported functions using similar touch and motion gestures of the connected smartphone device.  For safety and convenience, AppRadio 2 features built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling², an input for an optional vehicle-mounted rear facing back-up camera, an input for interfacing with the vehicle’s steering wheel controls³and two sets of pre-amp outputs for connection to external amplifiers.

Members of the press stream into the Pioneer press conference at the large Marco Pollo venue in the Venetian.

“Since the first generation AppRadio was introduced last year, consumers have been quick to recognize and embrace the power and potential of this product.  However many consumers requested compatibility and support for additional devices,” said Ted Cardenas, director of marketing for the car electronics division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.  “By expanding AppRadio 2’s compatibility, we are able to provide even more drivers a convenient and safer way to integrate their smartphone and their apps into their vehicles.  Additionally, this expansion will accelerate the growth of available AppRadio compatible apps, as many developers support both smartphone platforms as well.”

Pioneer's Ted Cardenas noted to the audience that in 6 short months Pioneer had developed a new product category in the 12 volt arena - AppRadio. At CES 2012 Pioneer introduced AppRadio 2.

Pioneer’s AppRadio 2 features a clean and simple aesthetic with minimal physical buttons, as the majority of the functions and controls are operated via the high resolution WVGA (800 x 480) 7-inch capacitive touchscreen.  This capacitive touch panel is used for all functions including the app interface, music control/playback, AM/FM radio, and Bluetooth hands-free calling features.

This is a screenshot of the AppRadio 2 interacting with an Android powered cell phone.

AppRadio 2 includes all of the built-in functions of the original AppRadio as well as smartphone integration through the use of the free Pioneer AppRadio application and compatible third-party apps.  The Pioneer AppRadio application enables access to the data and connectivity of the connected smartphone and compatible third-party apps.

Pioneer's long history for in car entertainment was chronicled during the press conference. Today it's music and information.

As with the original AppRadio, the AppRadio 2 features a built-in AM/FM tuner with RDS text information display (when available) and full control/playback of music stored on the connected smartphone device.  Safe, in-vehicle phone functionality is simple with built-in Bluetooth, enabling hands-free cellular phone operation using the car’s speakers and the included external microphone to turn the car into a rolling speakerphone.
Pioneer’s AppRadio 2 will be available in April with a suggested retail price of $499.  The original AppRadio model will also continue to be available at a suggested retail price of $399.
Pioneer’s Car Electronics Division is known for offering the kind of in-car products that make driving more enjoyable by offering high quality audio and video, seamless connectivity and ease-of-use.  Its focus is on the development of new digital technologies including audio video, navigation and emerging media, while maintaining its strong heritage in products for car audio enthusiasts and sound competitors.
For more information visit www.pioneerelectronics.com.
Additional pictures from the press conference. Click to enlarge.

¹Optional cables for Mobile High Definition Link (MHL) and micro HDMI connection sold separately.
²Bluetooth functionality requires a compatible Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone. Certain Bluetooth features may not be supported by all compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices, and/or the functionality of such features may be limited in certain devices or by certain wireless carriers. See more details about compatible Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones at the following webpage: “http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/BluetoothCompatibility”.
³ Optional 3^rd party adapter required.
NOTE: Do not use your Pioneer system while driving, doing so will divert your attention in any way from the safe operation of your vehicle. Always observe safe driving rules. In some states certain operations of devices while driving may be illegal. Where such regulations apply, they must be obeyed.
PIONEER and AppRadio are trademarks or registered trademarks of Pioneer Corporation.
GOOGLE is a registered trademark of Google Inc.
ANDROID is a registered trademark of Google Inc.