In-car entertainment

CES 2009: Car Tech wrap-up

Our heads are still spinning a bit from the onslaught that was the in-car electronics hall of CES 2009. From every direction, there were speakers the size of extralarge pizzas and flashy video displays vying for your attention. Amidst the cacophony, our (ahem) skilled Car Tech editors were able to spot a few gems and a few diamonds in the rough.

As evidenced by our Car Tech category Best of CES finalists, we predict that the next big thing in in-car entertainment is connectivity. Our winner, Gracenote CarStars, puts a star's avatar in your reasonably priced car by pairing … Read more

First Look: Kenwood DNX-8120

Kenwood dropped by the CNET Car Tech booth at CES 2009 with its DNX-8120 navigation receiver. Kenwood says that it can't keep this popular model on the shelves. With navigation by Garmin, Bluetooth by Parrot, full iPod integration with video, and two 12v accessory switches, we can completely understand why.

First Look: Alpine iXA-W404

Alpine combines its two-way encoder and a large touchscreen interface to create the iXA-W404, Alpine's first touchscreen mech-less receiver. We take a sneak peak at the new control scheme, which involves tapping and flicking in a manner similar to Apple's CoverFlow, on the floor at CES 2009.

First Look: Advent VM9423

This new multimedia system from Advent (Audiovox/Jensen's top-tier line of dealer installed car audio equipment) packs nearly every bell and whistle that the company offers into a clean and easy-to-use double din receiver. They've even upgraded the interface with cleaner, updated graphics. Check us out as we check it out on the floor at CES 2009.

First Look: Alpine iDA-X305

Alpine announced an update to its line of mech-less digital media receivers with the Alpine iDA-X305. This new single din unit gets a cosmetic refresh, but there's more to it beneath the surface as this is also Alpine's first "Works with iPhone" certified unit.

JVC KD-HDR50 stereo head unit (video)

The JVC KD-HDR50 includes HD radio, a single CD slot, and a USB port on the front panel that works with iPods. The unit includes an innovative song tagging feature that lets you save song information for downloading.

Blaupunkt and miRoamer bring Internet radio to the car

CES is all about convergence, and one of the more interesting examples is Internet radio station aggregator miRoamer and car stereo maker Blaupunkt. The result of this union is two stereo head units from Blaupunkt that receive and play Internet radio, giving you over 16,000 choices for streamed music while you drive. The first hurdle with a system like this is getting the Internet stream to the car. The Blaupunkt miRoamer system uses the data connection for a paired Bluetooth phone, connecting to the miRoamer server. Obviously you will need a phone with a data plan, preferably unlimited.

Blauplunkt … Read more

Alpine's first touch-screen digital media receiver

The Alpine iXA-W404 takes the fantastic interface of Alpine's line of digital media receivers, stretches it vertically, and adds a new feature: a touch screen.

Now, you can control the unit using the lightning fast double-encoder knob or by lightly dragging your finger across and tapping the 4.3-inch QVGA color touch-screen monitor. The interface more or less apes Apple's coverflow, so users of iPods and iTunes should find it familiar.

The unit, like all of Alpine's digital media receivers, features a full-speed USB connection that's optimized for iPod, which you'll be getting a great … Read more

Partnership puts AT&T CruiseCast in rental cars

AT&T stopped by the Car Tech booth at CES 2009 to give us a look at its CruiseCast mobile satellite TV service. The details of the service haven't changed much since the unveiling just a few months ago at the 2008 SEMA Show, but today we received a bit of news that means you may be able to experience CruiseCast for yourself sooner than you think.

RaySat Broadcasting Corp. (co-creator of CruiseCast along with AT&T) and Avis Budget Group are teaming up to offer Avis and Budget Rent A Car customers the use of AT&… Read more

Ford Sync Version 3.0

We've been pretty impressed by Sync's Bluetooth phone and MP3 player connectivity, but Version 3.0 of Sync gains a whole new dimension with an array of connected services that includes navigation, traffic conditions, business search, weather, and other information sources. To use these services, you hit the voice command button in a Sync-equipped car and request services. The system uses your Bluetooth paired phone to connect with a server where you can request, by voice, directions, traffic conditions, a local business search, and other services.

The really innovative aspect of this system is that Ford can easily … Read more