Check out our full Alpine CDE-102 review.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)These days, even the most entry level car stereos need to have a few tricks up their sleeves to even be worth considering. The Alpine CDE-102 is no exception.
In addition to spinning basic audio CDs and receiving AM/FM radio transmissions, the CDE-102 also features MP3, AAC, and WMA playback from data CDs or its front-facing USB port.
However, the CDE-102's best features require additional purchases. For example, Bluetooth hands free and audio streaming can be added with Considering the "Made for iPod" and "Works with iPhone" badges slapped all over the box, we were disappointed to find that iPod/iPhone playback required an additional cable, but users who aren't loyal to Apple probably won't mind.
Check out the full review of the Alpine CDE-102 CD/MP3 receiver.
The Alpine iXA-W404 shows plenty of promise, but needs a bit more polish to really shine.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)Our experiences with Alpine's "mechless" car audio receivers have been mostly positive. So, when we received the iXA-W404, which ups the ante with the inclusion of a larger display and touch sensitivity, we naturally assumed that bigger would be better.
During testing, we found that everything that we liked about Alpine's single DIN mechless units was still intact in the W404, such as the snappy high-speed USB/iPod connection that allowed us to quickly scrub through large digital-audio collections using the double-action encoder. We also liked that the W404's larger screen and dedicated iPod video cable allowed the playback of movies and video podcasts from capable iPods.
However, the touch-screen interface is unintuitive at times, relying on an iTunes CoverFlow-like paradigm to navigate its menus. The additional eye candy of the interface seems to have adversely affected the Alpine's menu responsiveness when compared with its simpler siblings.
The unit features the capability to add modules to expand its admittedly limited feature set, but doing so can be prohibitively expensive. For example, it costs about $500 to add navigation ($300 for the GPS module and $200 for an adapter cradle to connect it) and $230 to add Bluetooth wireless, bringing your total investment to about $1,280. At that point, you may as well be looking at Alpine's superior IVA-W505/P1, which packs more functionality into a single box, without the need for additional modules.
If you want a simple, "mechless" receiver and can live without iPod video playback, we'd suggest you look at Alpine's single-DIN iDA-X305.
The new Camaro gets an impressive cabin tech roster, including iPod and Zune integration.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)Microsoft employee David McLauchlan posted photos of how the Zune integrates with the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. The news releases about the car from GM already confirmed that its stereo would feature iPod integration and a USB port, but this is the first we've seen about the Zune integration.
The pictures show a nice image of a Camaro appearing on the Zune's screen when it is connected to the car, along with the various play and navigation screens that show up on the car's radio display. We've never liked the aqua electro-fluorescent radio displays used by GM, but it is nice to see you can choose music much as you would on the Zune, browing artists, albums, songs, and genres.
Alpine Electronics broke from the pack a couple of years ago and launched a new series of in-dash radios designed specifically for the iPod user. The company's studies had shown that iPod listeners rarely listened to the CD format in their vehicles, and almost exclusively used their iPods for listening to their favorite artists.
Alpine reasoned that if it dispensed with the CD mechanism and focused on features that iPod users would appreciate, it would have a hit. It was only partially right, but momentum is gaining.
These "mechless" head units were a real break from tradition, and many of the Alpine dealers ran into a mental stumbling block selling radios that could not play the CD format. Their iPod customers didn't care, though, and soon the "IDAX" series of products were some of Alpine's best sellers. They keep getting better and better each year, and recently I had the opportunity to test drive the newest unit, the IXAW404.
(Credit:
Alpine)
The Alpine IXAW404 is the company's first double-DiN offering in the iPod lineup. Most cars built today use this size of radio, and it offers a lot of advantages over the aftermarket's standard single-DIN design. Besides looking more factory-like when installed, the double-DIN format provides more physical real estate for the designers to work with, so the consumer gets the benefit of a larger display screen, larger and easier-to-use knobs and buttons, and a generally less cluttered appearance.
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Read the full Alpine iDA-X305 review.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)As the saying goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" That seems to be the approach taken by Alpine Electronics when designing its new iDA-X305 digital media receiver.
Based on the already impressive iDA-X100 receiver, the X305 keeps the same single-DIN size, rotary encoder-based interface, and lightning quick browsing of digital media while adding Apple iPhone support and a few more watts of power to boot.
On the surface, the X305 also receives a visual refresh with a new matte-finish faceplate that blends better with many vehicles' dash panels and a brushed metal control knob that adds a bit of bling. Compact disc aficionados need not apply as the iDA-X305 also continues the X100's formula of omitting a CD-slot and moving parts in favor of a purely USB-based input scheme.
(Credit:
CBS Interactive)
When was the last time you walked into a store and purchased a CD? If it takes you a few moments to come up with an answer, you've probably made the jump to digitally distributed and stored audio. If so, Alpine may have the car stereo for you, the Alpine iDA-X100 digital media receiver.
The iDA-X100 eschews physical media in favor of a purely digital approach. Music is played back over a USB pigtail that features full-speed iPod connectivity. An intuitive interface makes it easy to find the song you want, and advanced audio controls ensure that your digital music sounds as good as the day you ripped it.
The Alpine TUA-T550HD HD Radio tuner module
(Credit: CBS Interactive)Adding the TUA-T550HD HD radio tuner allows playback of high-quality digital radio transmissions, and adding a compatible iPod to the mix unlocks the iTunes Tagging feature, which allows song metadata to be stored in a playlist on the iPod to be previewed and purchased through the iTunes software.
The Alpine iDA-X100 is a great receiver for users who transport all of their music on an iPod or MP3 player. The unit offers fantastic digital audio integration without the need for a separate adapter, but should you ever want to just play a CD, you'll be out of luck.
Read the full Alpine iDA-X100 digital media receiver and TUA-T550HD HD radio tuner reviews.
Read the full 2009 Suzuki SX4 Sport Technology (Navi) review.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)When most people see the 2009 Suzuki SX4 Sport, they don't immediately think about the Japanese automaker's rally pedigree. They don't think about high-revving turbocharged powerplants or all-wheel drive vehicles that are in this car's DNA. Instead, they think of a cheap econo-box, which is a shame, because there is a lot to like about this modest little sedan.
The SX4 offers a level of mobile search data that rivals the best OEM systems.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)For one, the SX4 Sport comes standard with an unconventional, but (as we learned) very useful, navigation system. It matches its competition for handling and outclasses them in power. The SX4 Sport also gets four-wheel disc brakes, 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, and an aero package. You get all of this for hundreds of dollars less than the most base-model compact sedans from Toyota or Honda.
(Credit:
Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)
The days of keeping a library of tapes or CDs in your car are over. You walk around with an MP3 player, so why shouldn't you be able to use it in your car? Today's MP3 players can hold your entire music collection, so you don't have to decide which tunes to bring with you. Today's cars let you easily plug in an iPod or MP3 player and have full control over the device through voice command or the car's touch screen, and that's much safer than trying to manipulate the small controls on an MP3 player while barreling down the freeway. We've picked six cars that work particularly well with iPods and MP3 players.
Piaggio MP3 500ie is a pretty snazzy car replacement.
(Credit: Carey Russ)After three days, the grin factor is as high as ever. And the Piaggio MP3 500ie is not just entertaining, it's also commendably useful and fuel-efficient. When the fuel gauge dropped to the top of the red reserve zone, I pumped in 10 bucks worth of premium unleaded. It only took seven and change. Eyeball estimate is between 55 and 60 miles per gallon. With a 3.2-gallon fuel tank, that's 150-plus miles between fill-ups, and, unlike many motorcycles, the tank opening takes the antivapor sheath of a California gas pump hose without any hassle.
If the 55-to-60 mpg figure doesn't measure up to the 100 or more of a smaller scooter, the 500ie is much more versatile, and fully capable of doing distance on the highway at real highway speeds. It's not life in the slow lane, and wind protection is very good, as is seat comfort.
Fuel Filler
(Credit: Carey Russ)Usefulness? For helmet security while shopping, there's locking space under the seat for a full-face helmet. Once you put your helmet back on, there is plenty of space groceries, and a light makes seeing into the chamber at night easier. It does get warm in there, so you might not want to put the ice cream in there. A power point can be used to recharge a cell phone or other small electronic devices, including, presumably, an MP3 player. And there is a "No Pets" sticker at the front of the compartment. Legal disclaimers are everywhere...
Under the Seat
(Credit: Carey Russ)Add the built-in rack behind the seat and the grocery bag holder above the parking brake, and the big MP3 500ie works well as a car replacement. It's easier to park, too, although planning ahead to get it out is a good idea, as it does weigh well over 500 pounds. I haven't tried, but there is more than adequate room and power for a passenger.
Luggage Rack
(Credit: Carey Russ)
Grocery Hook and Parking Brake
(Credit: Carey Russ)A short conversation with Piaggio/Vespa brand manager Kevin Andrews cleared up some questions I had. The MP3 name comes from "moto projecto 3", which translates to something like "moto project with 3 wheels," and has nothing to do with music players. The lineup consists of 250cc, 400cc, and 500cc models, with the 250 and 400 sold throughout the world under the Piaggio name and sharing a more traditional scooter appearance. The 400 is larger and more refined. The 500 is the Gilera Fuoco in Europe, and its more aggressive looks are meant to make it more attractive to non-scooter riders, i.e. motorcycle people. Motorcycles and scooters in the same household? Hey, Mods vs. Rockers was a long time ago, and largely exaggerated by the press anyway.
I wonder how the MP3 500ie would look with a few extra mirrors?
Up: Power, handling, brakes, fuel economy, front-end lock-up for security while stopped or parked, rider comfort, wind protection, looks, and attention.
Down: Weight (538 lbs. dry) makes backing it out of a parking space exciting, especially for shorter riders. It's manageable, but can be a workout. Looks (and the attention from same) could be a problem, if you don't want to be noticed.
Piaggio MP3 500 front quarter.
(Credit: Carey Russ)As I was moving the car out of the driveway to get easier access to my motorcycle, my neighbor came up to me and said "I saw you come in on a really weird motorcycle thing yesterday and what is it?"
Never one to pass up an opportunity, I replied in my best B-movie space alien voice, "It is an alien space vehicle."
"Oh. I thought so."
Well, actually, it's a Piaggio MP3 500. Piaggio, perhaps better known as the manufacturer of Vespa scooters and owner of Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Gilera, and other brands, calls it a "maxi-scooter", and the MP3 series is unlike anything else except the closely related Gilera Fuoco, at least on this planet. The "3" comes not from any music formatting, but from three wheels. The rear wheel is conventional, if larger than the old-school scooter norm. The usual single front wheel is replaced by two, placed close together, and connected by a patented parallelogram multilink suspension system that ensures they turn and bank together. The front wheels can be locked by an electro-hydraulic mechanism so that the MP3 stays upright when stopped, with no need for the rider to put their feet on the ground. That locking system, and a parking brake, means that the center stand doesn't normally need to be used.
At $8,899, the MP3 500 is as expensive as many motorcycles.
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