[CES 2018] These days we’re starting to see more carmakers introduce smarter infotainment units to their vehicles, such as Android Auto, Apple’s CarPlay, or something of their own making. If you are planning on equipping your car with a system like CarPlay but don’t want to purchase a new car just to get it, Alpine has you covered.
Alpine has been making aftermarket CarPlay and Android Auto units for a while now, but at CES 2018, the company has announced the iLX-F309, the company’s first 9-inch head unit that will fit in most cars. Alpine had previously created a 9-inch head unit except that it was designed for Jeeps, but with the iLX-F309, the company has expanded on its previous offerings (which were limited to 6- to 7-inches) for standard car dashboards.
According to Alpine, “The iLX-F309 is an AM/FM/audio/video receiver with a 9-inch WVGA touch screen and mech-less design (no CD/DVD slot). It uses a 1-DIN chassis for installation but the screen ‘hovers’ in front of the vehicle’s dash, allowing the oversize screen to be added to a variety of vehicles without the need for custom installation. The iLX-F309’s ‘HALO9’ nickname is descriptive for the screen’s unique hovering position and its 9-inch size.”
It will feature support for CarPlay or Android Auto, SiriusXM-ready, Pandora control from iPhones and Android devices, and will be available via Alpine retailers starting this February for $1,100.
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