Pioneer Launches New In-Dash Navigation Receivers Enhanced With iPhone 5 Connectivity

Pioneer Electronics Inc. today launched three new in-dash navigation systems, AVIC-Z150BH, AVIC-X950BH and AVIC-X850BT, that combine advanced route guidance, multimedia entertainment and smartphone connectivity functions. The entire lineup of products includes iPhone 5 compatibility as well as high resolution WVGA touchscreen displays ranging from 6.1 to 7 inches, new mapping interface with available built-in real-time traffic information, new graphical user interface (GUI), AppRadio™ Mode (previously known as Advanced AppMode), SiriusXM® ready, built-in Bluetooth® functionality, USB connectivity (must have iPod® cable for USB functionality), HD Radio™ Technology, DVD/CD/MP3 playback, and more.

Pioneer AVIC-Z150BH

“Consumers are constantly interfacing with their smartphones and they expect them to work with almost any product they purchase, especially devices for the in-car environment,” said Ted Cardenas, vice president of marketing for the Car Electronics Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “We’re integrating the latest technologies and devices, including support for iPhone 5, into our new navigation systems so consumers can simply plug in their device(s) and enjoy the drive to their destinations.”

Smartphone Connectivity Advancements

In a world where the smartphone is king, Pioneer continues to refine its products to work with today’s latest personal devices. The flagship navigation products now include enhanced connectivity with iPhone 5 via the optional CD-IH202 kit ($50 suggested retail price) and two required accessories (purchased separately) from Apple, the Lightning to USB cable and Lightning Digital AV Adapter for compatibility with the AVIC-Z150BH and AVIC-X950BH models, and the optional CD-IV202NAVI kit ($100 suggested retail price) and Apple’s Lightning to USB cable and Lightning to VGA Adapter for compatibility with the AVIC-X850BT. With these three navigation receivers, users will be able to access and control select iPhone 5 apps via the in-dash touchscreen display; play and control music and videos stored on iPhone 5; and play and control the Pandora® internet radio and Aha Radio apps running on their iPhone 5 via the revolutionary AppRadio™ and AppRadio Mode interface.

To further enhance smartphone connectivity, each model is equipped with Pioneer’s AppRadio Mode (previously known as Advanced AppMode), which offers an “AppRadio-like” experience for both iPhone and Android owners, giving users the ability to access and control dozens of apps directly from the navigation receiver’s large touchscreen display when connected to iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, or a compatible Android smartphone. Dozens of compatible apps ranging from entertainment and information to navigation are available on the iOS and Android operating systems. Popular and convenient apps now available for use with all three models include INRIX® Traffic, Rdio®, Pandora® internet radio, DashCommand™ (Version 2.9.0), StreamS HiFi™ (Version 5.1.1) AUPEO!™ Personal Radio (Version 2.36), Waze®, MotionX®-GPS DRIVE and the recently introduced apps, Beej!™, Glympse, Parkopedia®, Maxthon® Cloud Browser, and iHeartAuto™.

Traffic Tuner (AVIC-Z150BH and AVIC-X950BH)

With traffic congestion at an all time high in major metropolitan areas, the AVIC-Z150BH and AVIC-X950BH enable users to see the latest traffic conditions with a built-in RDS-TMC traffic tuner. Both systems utilize Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network service to provide an overlay of real-time traffic events and conditions on the navigation map and allow users to create routes (or re-route) to minimize traffic delays.

SiriusXM®-Ready (All models)

For music enjoyment anytime, anywhere, all three units are SiriusXM-Ready for SiriusXM’s commercial-free music, premier sports and live events, comedy, news, exclusive talk and entertainment, and SiriusXM Latino, the most comprehensive Latin music, sports and talk programming in radio. SiriusXM programming is received through the SiriusXM SXV200 Connect Vehicle Tuner (sold separately, SiriusXM subscription required). The SiriusXM SXV200 tuner offers a simple, inexpensive solution for adding satellite radio, and Pioneer's multimedia receivers are among the first aftermarket in-vehicle products to include the new Tune Start™ and Tune Scan™ features. The Tune Scan feature scans through songs from the user’s favorite music channel presets. When a user enables the Tune Start feature and tunes to a favorite preset music channel, the current song will automatically start playing from the beginning.

HD Radio™ Technology (AVIC-Z150BH and AVIC-X950BH)

For high quality audio broadcasts, the two top models feature built-in HD Radio Technology, providing clear digital reception of HD Radio broadcasts from radio stations around the country. In addition to great audio quality, additional information such as the artist and song title can be viewed on each model’s touchscreen display. Both systems also support the HD Radio Artist Experience feature, which allows the user to view album art, station logos or other broadcast related graphics in addition to the displayed text information (when available).

Bluetooth Connectivity (All models)

Bluetooth connectivity is built in to provide a wireless communication and data connection to Bluetooth enabled devices. Bluetooth profiles include the Hands-Free Profile (HFP) for wireless calling and receiving; the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) for wireless audio streaming; the Audio Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) version 1.3 for wireless control of devices and related metadata (if available) to be viewed directly on the Pioneer touchscreen display; and the Serial Port Profile (SPP) for streaming and control of Pandora internet radio from Android smartphones.

Aha Radio® (All models)

With the free of charge Aha Radio app, available for iOS and Android operating systems, users can enjoy audio content from tens of thousands of audio stations, including web content like Internet music, news, audio books, personalized traffic reports, social newsfeeds, restaurant information and much more. When connected to a Pioneer navigation receiver, the user’s top stations become radio preset buttons to enable convenient control of stations just like a traditional radio. Users can prioritize the stations they want, and customize audio stations such as “Hungry”, “Coffee” and “Weather” to suit their tastes.

AVIC-Z150BH / AVIC-X950BH

In addition to a comprehensive map database from NAVTEQ, both the AVIC-Z150BH and AVIC-X950BH feature 8GB of flash memory for fast access of mapping information; a 3D graphics accelerator; a large 7-inch touchscreen (6.1-inch for AVIC-X950BH); HDMI® and component video input; DVD playback; Dual Zone capability for independent rear seat audio/video playback; built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming; USB connectivity for playback of audio/video media stored on a flash drive, media player and/or smartphone; SD card slot (micro SD for AVIC-X950BH); back-up camera input (includes parking graphic guidelines), and built-in HD Radio tuner. The AVIC-X950BH also features a detachable face.

AVIC-X850BT

The more affordable AVIC-X850BT features 8GB of flash memory for mapping information; a 6.1-inch WVGA touchscreen display; a 3D graphics accelerator; component video input; DVD playback; Dual Zone capability for independent rear seat audio/video playback; built-in Bluetooth2 for hands-free calling and music streaming; USB connectivity3 for playback of audio/video media stored on a flash drive, media player and/or smartphone3; micro SD card slot; back-up camera input (includes parking graphic guidelines) and detachable face.

The AVIC-X850BT, AVIC-X950BH and AVIC-Z150BH will be available in late March with suggested retail prices of $800, $950 and $1200, respectively.