LAS VEGAS, CES 2012 – Pioneer is bringing the smartphone experience to the car.
Pioneer’s new AppRadio2 head unit, announced here at CES, promises to be able to run dozens of apps when it ships in the spring, including access to 45,000 internet radio stations.
The AppRadio2 has a 7-inch touchscreen display, built-in Bluetooth (Siri compatible), and a variety of inputs and outputs for rearview cameras and auxiliary entertainment devices. But most importantly, it will run a dozen apps (Pandora and Rdio among them) and dozens more as developers adapt their wares to the new platform.
The $599 AppRadio2 builds on Pioneer’s original AppRadio, which we raved about last year. Both units use the iPhone 4/4s’ data connection to stream maps, weather and entertainment from services like Pandora to Rdio — on apps running on the in-dash head unit.
The new unit also adds Android, and is compatible with a selection of Android phones with HDMI or MHI connectivity.
Pioneer hopes developers will start offering a range of apps, from parking to navigation. But Pioneer is being very careful and safety conscious about the apps it approves.
“We don’t want people playing Angry Birds in the car,” joked Ted Cardenas, Pioneer’s director of marketing, during the press conference.
Cardenas noted that the connected car is a hot topic at CES. Two of the big keynotes this week are from car manufacturers, who will be talking about next-gen telemetrics systems.
Pioneer is still offering a slightly improved version of the AppRadio for $399. Note, it is compatible with the iPhone 4 and 4S only.
