Pioneer Widens Connected Options for In-Car Devices

LAS VEGAS -- The new line of Pioneer Electronics in-car devices that the company is bowing at CES this week stresses more connected features than ever, as the company looks to satisfy growing consumer demand. To that end, after introducing the Pandora music service in two navigation units last year, Pioneer has now expanded the feature to nine in-dash models this year across its full product lineup, Ted Cardenas, director of marketing, said at a news conference.

The nine models offer full Pandora streaming and control through a connected Apple iPhone, Pioneer said. The devices include two CD players, three AV systems, two digital media players and two navigation systems, with pricing starting at $150, it said. “There are now more than 65 million Pandora listeners and many of them enjoy the service on-the-go through the iPhone,” said Cardenas. The new Pandora-compatible source units “offer consumers a safe and easy way to bring the Internet radio experience into the car,” he said.

Pioneer also added the Aha Radio service as a feature in its 2011 line of in-dash navigation models. Via an iPhone with the free Aha Radio Mobile App connected to the new systems, users can listen to the latest traffic conditions, listen to Facebook and Twitter updates, and access hundreds of podcasts and other services, Pioneer said. Aha Radio offers over 100 content and podcast stations that can be conveniently accessed and controlled directly on the display of the Pioneer system, the manufacturer said.

Also new from Pioneer is a SmartCradle for iPhones that the company said is compatible with all GPS-enabled apps, including MotionX-GPS Drive. The device is “the first of its kind to incorporate a built-in gyro sensor and accelerometer combined with an external antenna for improved GPS reception and location accuracy, even if GPS signals are limited by high rise buildings and tunnels,” it said. The device also features an integrated amplified speaker with volume control. It’s also compatible with the iPod Touch, but an adapter will be needed, Pioneer said. Pricing and availability “will be announced at a future date,” Pioneer said.

The company is also eyeing expanding compatibility to Android-based smartphones, Cardenas said. Android is “certainly becoming a fast-growing and viable platform,” he said. “There are things in the works,” he said, without elaborating.