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Pioneer’s 2020 Wireless CarPlay lineup includes a premium 10.1-inch floating receiver for your old car

Pioneer was first to bring Apple CarPlay to aftermarket receivers over five years ago. The electronics company is shipping a major upgrade to its NEX in-dash receivers in 2020. Newly announced Pioneer receivers will best most of the standard CarPlay receivers included in new cars today.

Pioneer has one model in particular that I’m anticipating the most: DMH-WT8600NEX. This is their new state-of-the-art 10.1-inch floating receiver with Wireless CarPlay.


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Hands-on: Pioneer MVH-1400NEX offers affordable CarPlay in a simple package

As a Toyota driver, I’ve been subjected to the company’s horrible Entune-powered head unit for the last 6 years. On my 2012 model, it’s bundled with a matte resistive touch screen that requires you to press in on the display to control the unit. As you can probably imagine, the stock unit is extremely clunky and difficult to use. It’s so bad that I wouldn’t purchase a new Toyota without a new capacitive CarPlay unit built in. Thankfully, Toyota recently wised up and decided to adopt CarPlay after holding out for several years.

If you’re like me and stuck with a terrible stock head unit, then a CarPlay-enabled aftermarket radio may be the key to a much better audio, messaging, and navigation experience while on the go. There are caveats associated with having an aftermarket head unit installed, but as my recent experience with the Pioneer MVH-1400NEX shows, the upsides outweigh the potential downsides.
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Pioneer is upgrading its lineup of aftermarket CarPlay displays

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pioneer ces 2016

Today at CES 2016, Pioneer will unveil an upgraded lineup of NEX series in-dash receivers featuring Apple CarPlay and Siri Eyes Free. Pioneer first brought Apple’s CarPlay infotainment system to cars through aftermarket displays in 2014. This year’s third-generation CarPlay head units from Pioneer include models with both 6.2-inch and 7-inch resistive and capacitive touchscreen displays.


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Pioneer’s second-gen CarPlay NEX head units are now available

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Pioneer NEX 8100 CarPlay

Pioneer’s second generation NEX series of in-dash receivers with CarPlay support are now available through authorized retail channels, the company announced today. Apple’s CarPlay feature made its aftermarket debut last fall through a firmware update to several models of Pioneer’s first-gen NEX head units, and the improved models are the first from Pioneer to be designed with CarPlay support (and Android Auto) from day one.
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Pioneer unveils its improved NEX in-dash receivers with CarPlay

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Pioneer NEX 8100 CarPlay

Pioneer was first to bring CarPlay to the market without requiring you to buy a new car, and at CES 2015 today the company announced the second generation of its CarPlay-enabled NEX in-dash receivers. The latest Pioneer NEX displays all support CarPlay and start at $700 with 6.2-inch and 7-inch resistive and capacitive touch displays.


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9to5Toys Last Call: the best iOS app sales/freebies for the holidays, PlayStation 4 bundles from $350, much more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the brand new 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Updates:

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Amazon Gold Box: Pioneer SC-1223-K 7.2-Channel AirPlay/MHL 4K A/V Receiver: $499 shipped ($600 off)

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Daily Deals: iPhone 5c 32GB Unlocked (refurbished) $209, much more

gravitas-henge-dock-iphone-6-plusGiveaway: Henge Docks Gravitas iPhone 6/Plus dock made from solid zinc alloy ($69 value)itunes-movie-deals

iTunes year-end blowout: discounted HD movies/bundles, music, more

speck-candyshell-grip-iphone-6-blackSpeck CandyShell iPhone 6/Plus cases in multiple colors/styles from $17 Prime shipped (50% off)

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Holiday Gift Guides:

More new deals:

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More deals still alive:

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New products/ongoing promos/info:

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Apple fast tracks CarPlay hardware development w/ official MFi specs for head units

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Apple’s new CarPlay iOS feature has recently arrived through a limited number of in-dash vehicle entertainment systems and aftermarket products, but Apple has now introduced official guidelines for companies building CarPlay hardware through its Made-for-iPhone/iPad/iPod (MFi) licensing program, according to sources. 
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Holiday gift guide: using iPhone and iPad in the car

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holiday gift guide iPhone and iPad in the car

The iPhone has easily become the best jukebox in the car with your iTunes library, iTunes Radio, streaming services like Beats Music and Spotify, and great apps for keeping up with podcasts. With hands-free features powered by Siri, you can even stay in touch with phone calls and text messages all without ever taking your eyes off the road. If you’re a passenger, the iPad is a great screen for gaming, reading, watching movies, and more.

This holiday season is especially exciting with new features built-in to iOS like CarPlay and Hey Siri, which allows you to activate Siri while your iPhone or iPad is charging completely hands-free, and below are some of the best products to gift the iPhone or iPad-owning driver this year.
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Alpine announces 7-inch iLX-007 aftermarket receiver, its first CarPlay display

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Alpine today announced its first aftermarket in-dash receiver with support for Apple’s CarPlay feature for iPhone users. The new Alpine iLX-007 will be the company’s first display to support CarPlay following Pioneer’s rollout of the feature to its latest NEX displays earlier this month. Alpine’s new in-dash receiver features a 7-inch capacitive touch screen comparable to Pioneer’s high end NEX8000 CarPlay compatible model ($1,400), but at a much lower price point of $800 as it lacks other hardware features.

Alpine’s CarPlay offering is still one of the first on the market yet and joins Pioneer in allowing drivers to have CarPlay without buying a new car. Several automakers have already announced CarPlay availability on certain models of new cars, some of which are already on the road, but will require firmware updates in the future before CarPlay is present.
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Rdio announces CarPlay support, 320 kbps audio, & iPhone 6/6 Plus optimizations

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Rdio today announced support for CarPlay, allowing its users to listen and control content from the subscription music service using the built-in touchscreen of CarPlay-enabled vehicles.

CarPlay Support. Control Rdio playback and navigate your favorites and playlists from the built-in display in CarPlay-enabled cars.

Vehicles with CarPlay, Apple’s new feature that brings an iOS-like experience to in-dash touchscreens connected to an iPhone, first hit the road earlier this year in pricey new Ferrari models followed by an aftermarket solution from Pioneer. The service only has a handful of app partners so far, but we noted in our recent review that not all apps are playing nice with the feature yet. Apple currently lists iHeartRadio, MLB At Bat, Spotify, Stitcher Radio, CBS Radio, and its own Podcasts and Beats Music apps as supported apps. 
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Review: CarPlay has promise, but the road to perfection is long

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This is CarPlay

With Pioneer now offering aftermarket CarPlay support through their existing NEX displays, I got the chance to finally test drive CarPlay (without having to buy a new car) and see how Apple’s driving-optimized iPhone experience performs on the road.

Apple describes CarPlay as “a smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car” because tasks like making phone calls, sending messages, finding directions, and playing music from your iPhone are completed using Siri and the car’s touch screen rather than fiddling with your phone in your hand.

In short, CarPlay has a lot of promise and already makes a few things easier, but it’s not without its hiccups just yet. I’ll share my hands-on experience with upgrading to CarPlay with an aftermarket Pioneer display including a few interesting tidbits and lots of photos below.
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Pioneer finally brings CarPlay equipment to mass market, Spotify app update adds CarPlay support

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Pioneer, CarPlay

The CarPlay situation has been murky. Since being announced in the spring, most manufacturers have been quiet on when CarPlay equipment will actually be available to purchase. Pioneer is the first company to deliver on its promise, adding CarPlay as an update to its aftermarket dashboard panels (unless you count Ferrari’s integration into its high-end Ferrari California T).

Existing Pioneer device owners may not need to purchase any extras, as the CarPlay update is free for supported devices. Aforementioned units include the AVIC-8000NEX, AVIC-7000NEX, AVIC-6000NEX, AVIC-5000NEX and the AVH-4000NEX with prices ranging from $700 to $1400.


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Apple quietly removes promise of 2014 CarPlay availability as it adds CBS News Radio compatibility

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Apple has quietly updated its CarPlay microsite which explains the feature to add CBS News Radio to its growing list of apps it grants CarPlay support to, but a bigger change also appears on the CarPlay site this morning. Apple is no longer promising CarPlay support from any automobile manufacturer this year as it has done since its debut in March. While there has been no shortage of CarPlay demoes and availability announcements, actually getting your hands on a model with CarPlay thus far has proven almost impossible.

The site now says CarPlay “will be available” from listed partners without offering any specific timeframe (and removing the 2014 language for specific brands altogether). This is likely due to delays in CarPlay availability thus far, even in models that have announced support earlier this year with cars that are now on the road.
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9to5Toys Last Call: Pioneer 2-way speakers $50, AppleCare 30% off, Canon AirPrint Inkjet printer $45, more

Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call updates:

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Pioneer 80-Watt 2-Way Speakers: $50 (Reg. $130), JBL OnBeat Speaker Dock: $20 (Reg. $45)more

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Save 30% on an AppleCare Protection Plan for your 13 or 15-inch MacBook

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Canon PIXMA MX472 Wireless Office All-In-One Inkjet Printer with AirPrint: $40+$5 shipping

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqkVhfMohvc]

DJI Phantom FC40 Wi-Fi Drone w/ HD Camera: $449 w/ coupon code phantom50 (Reg. $769)

Other new deals:

More deals still alive:

New products/ongoing promotions:

Android/Microsoft deals:

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Apple website confirms aftermarket CarPlay installations coming soon from Alpine, Pioneer

Apple CarPlay

Apple has quietly added a line on its CarPlay microsite acknowledging that it will indeed support the feature in existing cars through aftermarket systems. Specifically, Alpine and Pioneer are listed under the line “And you’ll soon be able to add CarPlay to your current car with an aftermarket system.” The companies announced earlier this week plans to update existing in-dash display systems with CarPlay compatibility through firmware updates. While the announcements had the full weight of credibility, Apple recognizing these brands specifically on its microsite is a significant development as the company has only pushed upcoming vehicles as having the feature up until now. Earlier today, Hyundai announced it will bring CarPlay to its 2015 Sonata early this summer leaving Honda the only partner committed to delivering CarPlay this year without an announcement. Other partners committed to CarPlay in 2014 include Volvo, Ferrari, and Mercedes-Benz and have already announced models with CarPlay support.


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Hyundai announces CarPlay coming this summer to its 2015 Sonata

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Hyundai CarPlay

Hyundai announced today at the New York International Auto Show its 2015 Sonata will be the first of its vehicles to feature Apple’s new CarPlay technology bringing phone, messaging, music, and navigation functionality from the iPhone to the in-dash display through iOS and Siri. Apple rebranded its iOS in the Car feature announced at WWDC in 2013 as CarPlay earlier this year with a number of committed partners including Hyundai, and today’s announcement by the automative manufacturer is the first unveiling of its official plans to bring CarPlay to market with its brand.

Hyundai says its 2015 Sonata will be available at dealerships in early summer this year. While pricing and availability specifics have yet to be unveiled, Hyundai’s CarPlay offering is expected to be considerably more affordable than other brands partnered including Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo.

The news comes just one day after Pioneer official announced it will bring CarPlay to a number of its existing 2014 in-dash systems through a firmware update. Ford, Toyota, and other automotive manufacturers are expected to unveil new products at the auto show as it continues through the month, although Honda is the only partner committed to CarPlay in 2014 (per Apple’s CarPlay site) without a compatible car announced.


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Pioneer says CarPlay firmware update for existing 2014 in-dash systems coming this summer

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Pioneer, CarPlay

Following reports yesterday that car electronics manufacturer Alpine was planning to launch aftermarket CarPlay units in the fall, Pioneer issued a press release today confirming a firmware update for existing in-dash systems. Pioneer will be bringing Apple’s new CarPlay system to existing vehicles using the company’s five 2014 NEX in-dash multimedia receivers this summer through a firmware update.

Utilizing large, in-dash Pioneer LCD displays, CarPlay featuring Siri® voice control, gives iPhone users the features while allowing them to stay focused on the road. With CarPlay, consumers with iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5 can use Siri to make and receive calls, compose and respond to text messages, use Apple Maps for navigation and listen to their music, podcasts and iTunes RadioSM. For more information about CarPlay, visit www.apple.com/ios/carplay.

As for what vehicles and in-dash systems it will support, it sounds like it will be limited to 2014 editions of the in-dash receivers mentioned above. For the US, those include the following:
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9to5Toys Last Call: Pioneer AirPlay speaker $70, Netgear AC DD-WRT router $100, Logitech Harmony remote $100, more

Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and subscribe to the new Safari push notifications feature.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call updates:

pioneer-a3-airplay-speaker-dealPioneer A3 WiFi speaker w/ AirPlay and streaming apps $70 shipped (Reg. $200)

netgear-ac1750-dual-band-gigabit-wireless-router-sale-03Netgear AC1750 dual band DD-WRT Gigabit wireless router (refurb): $100 shipped (Reg. $200 new)

logitech-harmony-deal-amazonLogitech Harmony smart control w/ smartphone integration & simple remote $100 shipped (Reg. $130)

lifespan-treadmill-deskUp to 45% on Select Office Fitness Equipment: Gaiam balance ball chair $53, LifeSpan treadmill desk $1,150

Other great deals from today:

More great deals still alive:

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9to5Toys Last Call: Pioneer AirPlay receiver 50% off, Dell 4K monitor $500 off, Logitech AirPlay speaker $88, Chromecast $28, Xbox One, more

Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+. Also, check out our updated Daily Deals page (for iPad/iPhone) featuring the day’s best deals from across major US retailers.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

pioneer-sc-1223-k-7-2-channel-networkPioneer SC-1223-K 840-watt 7.2-Channel 4K Upscaling AirPlay Receiver: $549 shipped (half off)

dell-ultrasharp-3222-ultra-hd-4k-monitorDell UltraSharp 32″ Ultra HD 4k Monitor $3,000 shipped (Reg. $3,500)

logitech-ue-airplay-dealLogitech UE wireless AirPlay speaker $138 or $88 shipped after rebate (Reg. $200)

Other great deals from today:

The best deals that are still alive: