CES 2013: Pioneer speeds up iPhone compatibility

This week, at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Pioneer Electronics announced three solutions that provide enhanced connectivity between the iPhone 5 and thirteen 2013 and 2012 Pioneer in-dash receivers.

When used with a compatible Pioneer in-dash receiver and an appropriate Apple Lightning adapter accessory, these connectivity kit solutions enable iPhone 5 users to access and control select iPhone 5 apps via the in-dash touchscreen display: play and control music and videos stored on iPhone 5: and play and control of the Pandora internet radio and Aha Radio apps running on their iPhone 5 via the revolutionary AppRadio and AppRadio Mode interface (previously known as Advanced AppMode). This enhances the existing Bluetooth connectivity between iPhone 5 and these Pioneer in-dash receivers that provides hands-free calling and, on select models, A2DP wireless audio streaming and control.

These connectivity kits are compatible with the revolutionary AppRadio 2 SPH-DA100: the new 2013 AVIC-Z150BH, AVIC-X950BH and AVIC-X850BT in-dash navigation receivers: the 2012 AVIC-Z140BT and AVIC-X940BT in-dash navigation receivers: the new-for-2013 AVH-X8500BHS, AVH-X7500BT, AVH-X5500BHS, AVH-X4500BT, AVH-X3500BH and AVH-X2500BT multimedia DVD receivers: and the 2012 AVH-P8400BH multimedia DVD receiver.

‚”As the leader in smartphone connectivity for the car and home, Pioneer fully understands the importance of providing an iPhone 5 compatibility solution that integrates with our revolutionary AppRadio and AppRadio Mode products,‚” said Ted Cardenas, vice president of marketing for the Car Electronics Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. ‚”With maximum efforts from product engineers, we have developed solutions that apply to a wide range of our in-dash products to meet our consumers’ wants and expectations.‚”

Digital AV Solution

The CD-IH202 connectivity kit is an ‚”all digital‚” connection designed for use with the AppRadio 2 SPH-DA100, AVH-X8500BHS, AVIC-Z150BH and AVIC-X950BH. The kit includes a 2-meter automotive grade HDMI cable, which handles all audio and video transfer between the Pioneer products and iPhone 5, and a 1.5-meter 17-pin to USB cable for charging iPhone 5. To complete compatibility between these Pioneer products and the iPhone 5, consumers must also obtain Apple’s Lightning to USB Cableand Lightning Digital AV Adapter, as well as a firmware update* from Pioneer (available this spring at no charge). The CD-IH202 will be available in March with a suggested price of $50.

VGA Solutions

Pioneer also offers the CD-IV202AV (for use with 2013 multimedia DVD receivers and the AVH-P8400BH) and CD-IV202NAVI (for use with the AVIC-X850BT and 2012 in-dash navigation receivers). The VGA solutions include a proprietary connector cable and interface module to accomplish all audio and video transfer and a 1.5-meter USB cable for charging iPhone 5. For a complete list of compatible audio video products, visit www.pioneerelectronics.com/car. To complete compatibility between these Pioneer products and iPhone 5, consumers must also obtain Apple’s Lightning to USB Cable and Lightning to VGA Adapter, as well as a firmware update from Pioneer for select 2012 and 2013 multimedia DVD and navigation receivers (available this spring at no charge). The CD-IV202AV and CD-IV202NAVI will be available in March with a suggested price of $100.

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