Pioneer developing iPhone-like multitouch head-unit

Footloose301

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2010 40th Anniversary 370Z

daylaZ

The AppRadio sounded cool until I found out it doesn't play CD's.

kenchan

wat are CD's?

Footloose301

Welcome to 2012 where laptops are now becoming ultrabooks and they don't have disc drives either

Haha. I know its something that I think should be in there. However, I'm in the market for a new MacBook Pro and was considering all sorts of laptops and I wanted the Air but couldn't get over the fact that it doesn't have a disc drive. Then, I remembered that I haven't used a disc in my laptop in like 2 years. Whenever I drive my Z around I always use Sirius radio or I plug in the iPhone to the AUX. I never use CD's. The movies will play straight off your iPhone... You can also use Netflix and all sorts of stuff. This AppRadio is really growing on me and I might throw one in the Z soon.

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2010 40th Anniversary 370Z

daylaZ

You know, those round things that some people use as coasters.

I know it's an old technology but I would want the option to play one in the car. What is your opinion on the AppRadio?

kenchan

app radio is the future. smartphones will be the key device that everyone will have and app radio will be just a remote control to access everything in their phone. this includes nav. and soon enough everything will be wireless. your phones will wirelessly charge while it's in your pocket. i started using google nav and it is very good for a free app + free updates.

just rip your CD's in 256 bps+ and you probably wont notice a difference in a car stereo.

daylaZ

You guys make very valid points. Now that you mention it, I believe I could live without CD's in the car. The more and more I think about it, CD's just seem like a waste of space. Not having CD's just seemed like such a foreign idea at first. I will have to give this AppRadio a second look.

I'm already using my iPhone for navigation as I don't have a standalone or in-dash GPS. It hasn't let me down yet.

kenchan, you have convinced me that AppRadio will be the future. I cannot see it being any other way. Are there any units on the horizon that you are particularly excited about? Or is the AppRadio2 good for now?

Footloose301

AppRadio2 is a bit glitchy and if you view a couple reviews on youtube you'll see them. This is a huge step over the first generation AppRadio though and Pioneer is releasing firmware updates to address issues so it's nice to see a company backing their product.

I'm looking forward to see other companies grow into the AppRadio types. I'd love to have a Kenwood or Eclipse unit but right now the GUI isn't up to par IMHO. I've played with the latest and greatest Kenwood 9990HD and it's slooooow. The Eclipse unit is nice but the display is lacking pixels. The screen on this AppRadio is beautiful. It's a glossy glass just like the iPhone so your finger slides effortlessly across the screen, as it should.

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2010 40th Anniversary 370Z

kenchan

actually i like CD's for the cover album and the booklet. something to read while checking out the artist's tunes. but yah, headunits these days will show the illustration on screen while it plays and you can get lyrics, etc online.

i am an android user so i am hoping pioneer releases something more compatible for my phone next year. i think it's just a matter of time.

i was about to get a new HU to replace my aging AVH3100DVD in my Z this year, but i decided to wait. if no app-radio comes out for android next year, i will get either a AVH4400BH or the next version of it.

daylaZ

The Pioneer AppRadio 2 is compatible with Android, it was released in Jan 2012. $388 brand new on Amazon.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...+2+(SPH-DA100)

kenchan

from wat i read it's not truely compatible like it is with iphone, i dont think.
its just some apps like pandora and some google apps that it can take phone data via BT.

also no steering wheel control yet.

daylaZ

That's a bummer, hopefully some firmware updates will solve the compatibility issues with Android. If this unit was fully compatible with your phone, would it be in your car as we speak?

kenchan

thanks, they did improve from the earlier version it looks like via the recent firm ware update. my droid4 appears to be more compatible. it's listed now. hummmm!

kenchan

if it had steering wheel controls, then absolutely.

Footloose301

Also, just an FYI but the 8400BH model has AppRadio built in and has a ton more features and would be more future proof if you ever wanted to expand into adding several amps and have amazing sound quality....

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2010 40th Anniversary 370Z