[CES 2017] Carmakers are starting to include CarPlay and Android Auto options in their newer vehicles. However given that changing cars isn’t exactly the same as changing a phone or a tablet, safe to say that it might take a while before CarPlay and Android Auto systems make its way into the market.
However this is where aftermarket solutions come in, where drivers with older cars can get a similar experience. If you would like to see your car equipped with Apple’s CarPlay system, you’ll be pleased to learn that JVC, Pioneer, Clarion, Kenwood, and Alpine have taken the wraps off new aftermarket CarPlay systems at CES 2017.
Given that they are based on CarPlay, in terms of functionality they are all share pretty similar traits. Some might have support for better quality audio, support for rear-view cameras, and so on, but the core functionalities are still there. Alpine’s offering is probably the most interesting as it is the first unit that is officially available with wireless CarPlay support.
This means that users will not need to plug their phones into a cable anymore. Granted you probably shouldn’t be holding your phone while you drive anyway, we guess it’s a matter of convenience. The iLX-107 will also come with a WVGA touchscreen display with LED backlighting, 3x 2V outputs, one aux input, and support for rear-view cameras. It is available this coming February for $900.
In the meantime if you are interested in the other CarPlay units, JVC’s offering will be the KW-M730BT; Kenwood’s latest CarPlay unit is the DMX7704S; and Clarion’s new NX807 will sport a 7-inch display.
Filed in . Read more about Carplay, CES, CES 2017, Jvc, Kenwood and Pioneer.