FACEBOOK AND TWITTER WHILE YOU DRIVE?

Texting while driving not challenging enough for you? Can’t get enough of Facebook and Twitter? It looks like two of your prayers are about to be answered as mobile audio companies are about to launch aftermarket systems that will allow you to get Facebook and Twitter messages while maneuvering the daily drudgery of lane changes and stop-and-go traffic. HOT WIRE—Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. introduces its first in-dash navigation systems that allow drivers to stay connected to social networks, local searches and traffic services “while keeping their focus on the road.” At a time when consumers can take their personal devices with them virtually anywhere, including the automobile, Pioneer says it is helping to make it easier to integrate these devices into the car environment. The AVIC-Z130BT and AVIC-X930BT 2011 in-dash navigation models keep drivers entertained, informed and up-to-date with smartphone connectivity to Aha Radio for Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, Traffic and podcasts, Pandora® internet radio and App Mode. “Smartphones are ideal personal devices, although they can sometimes be cumbersome to use in the car. As the leader in aftermarket automotive technologies, Pioneer has made an unwavering commitment to safety by seamlessly incorporating these devices into the dash,” said Ted Cardenas, director of marketing for the car electronics division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “Consumers today always want to be “connected” and are using their smartphone devices to do this while on the go. By providing a larger touchscreen unit installed in the dash that features a user interface specifically designed for the automotive environment and complemented by voice control features, we reduce the risk of distraction while driving.”

Aha Radio Pioneer’s 2011 line of in-dash navigation models connect drivers to the world around them with on-demand, interactive, personalized radio. Via an iPhone™ with the free Aha Radio® Mobile App connected to the new AVIC systems, users can listen to the latest traffic conditions on their current road or commute road, listen to Facebook and Twitter updates, access hundreds of podcasts and other services such as the “Hungry” and “Coffee” stations which deliver real-time vicinity search results and directions to preferred restaurant categories listed on Yelp. Aha Radio offers over 100 content and podcast stations that can be conveniently accessed and controlled directly on the display of the Pioneer system. App Mode Pioneer’s App Mode feature, which can be accessed only when the vehicle is in park and the hand brake is fully engaged, lets users view a connected iPhone’s video content from Safari, YouTube and other select apps* directly on the larger 6.1-inch or 7-inch high resolution screen. Pandora Pioneer was the first aftermarket manufacturer to offer fully integrated in-dash touchscreen control of Pandora internet radio streamed through a connected iPhone. Pandora access is available in both new-for-2011 navigation systems and has also been extended into the 2011 Audio/Video Receiver and CD Player categories. All Pandora enabled units display the currently playing album, artist and song information, while Navigation and Audio/Video Receivers also add album art display. The Pandora interface features full control of station selection, track info, and thumbs-up and thumbs-down feedback options. Audio In addition to Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR) that enhances audio playback of compressed audio files and an 8-band graphic equalizer, new features like Auto EQ Measurement and the Sonic Center Control which enable users to precisely calibrate the sound field in the car, have been added to both new navigation units. AVIC-Z130BT In addition to a comprehensive map database from Tele Atlas®, the new double-DIN AVIC-Z130BT features 4GB of flash memory, a 7-inch WVGA touch screen display, a 3D graphics accelerator, DVD playback, Dual Zone capability for rear seat playback, built-in Bluetooth1 for hands-free calling and music streaming, USB connectivity2 for iPod/iPhone connectivity, SD card slot, back-up camera input, built-in HD Radio and is SIRIUS XM3 satellite ready. Additionally, the unit features enhanced voice recognition, including the ability to input destination addresses by voice. The AVIC-Z130BT offers Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network5 service for free via a Radio Data Service-Traffic Message Channel (RDS-TMC) tuner. With the included RDS-TMC tuner, ND-TMC10, the traffic service provides an overlay of real-time traffic events and conditions on the navigation map. AVIC-X930BT The new double-DIN AVIC-X930BT features 4GB of flash memory, a 6.1-inch WVGA touch screen display, a 3D graphics accelerator, DVD playback, built-in Bluetooth1 for hands-free calling and music streaming, USB connectivity2 for iPod/iPhone connectivity, micro SD card slot, back-up camera input and is SIRIUS XM3 satellite and HD Radio4 ready. New to the X-series navigation systems is the optional RDS-TMC traffic tuner, Dual Zone capabilities for rear seat playback and a detachable hard-button faceplate for security. The AVIC-X930BT will be available March 2011, and the AVIC-Z130BT will be available in April 2011 for suggested prices of $800 and $1,200, respectively. For more information, go to the AVIC 411 page.