Sony Electronics introduced the first ever Smartphone Cradle Receiver allowing multiple brands of smartphones to serve as in-dash touchscreens. Sony also introduced seven new in-car entertainment systems, including six of the industry’s first Bluetooth with Near Field Communications (NFC) models, featuring enhanced connectivity, control, and music playback from smartphones…

As more and more states require “hands-free” cell phone use while driving, Alpine offers a new Bluetooth® solution for in-car use. The new KCE-350BT Bluetooth Interface Module is now available to aid drivers by allowing hands-free conversations to be handled through the vehicle’s sound system. The new KCE-350BT is a fully integrated solution that works with all of Alpine’s Bluetooth-ready 2007 and 2008 model head units, including the IVA-D106, IVA-W505 and IVA-W203 Mobile Multimedia Stations™ with touch screen monitors…

In parallel with the worldwide premiere of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, HARMAN, the premium global audio and infotainment group, is to unveil a surround sound system from Harman Kardon at the Paris Motor Show that is precisely tailored to the interior of the four-seat coupé. The system offers an excellent, top-class musical experience. The richness of sound, dynamism and spatiality set new standards. The new premium sound system from longstanding partners HARMAN and Mercedes-Benz once again underlines their aim of ensuring perfect sound reproduction in all Mercedes models…

Pioneer today unveiled its new line of high-efficiency “GM Digital” series Class-D automotive amplifiers, consisting of the GM-D8604 4-channel model and GM-D9601 and GM-D8601 mono models. Pioneer’s digital amplifiers can produce the same power output as conventional amplifiers more than twice their physical size through improvements in their Class-D amplifier technology and design. The new amplifiers feature an extremely compact chassis for maximum installation flexibility, a new industrial cosmetic design, balanced audio inputs for improved sound quality and higher power output compared with previous models…

Kenwood USA Corporation announced the introduction of three high-performance CD receivers that will be sold exclusively through the Kenwood Excelon retailer network.

The top model in the Kenwood Excelon CD receiver lineup is the KDC-X994 ($350.00 suggested retail price). A 5-line variable color LCD display is featured for easier visibility and faster scrolling of multiple music files. Selectable text sizing allows the option to choose larger text or a higher quantity of text depending on user preference…

Kenwood USA Corporation announced the introduction of a third model within the Kenwood Excelon Reference Fit mobile power amplifier line.

The XR-5S ($600 suggested retail price) is Kenwood’s only five-channel power amplifier and the industry’s most powerful five-channel amplifier for its size, delivering 80 watts (RMS) at 4 ohms with another 350 watts (RMS) x 1. Thanks to digital amplifier technology, the XR-5S has an extremely small chassis and allows for installation in very small spaces without any sacrifice in power or audio performance…

Consumers in search of great entertainment and connectivity on the road will find the AVH-P4000DVD and AVH-P5000DVD from Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. the ideal in-car solution. A welcome sight for any dashboard, the two new systems offer choices in 6.1- or 7-inch video screens plus unprecedented audio and video qualities and versatile connectivity to iPod® players, portable audio devices and Bluetooth® cell phones…

IMPRINT™ sound processing from Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., is a revolutionary approach to getting better sound, faster in any vehicle. The system makes it possible to achieve a rich, enveloping and customized listening experience in the vehicle cabin. IMPRINT automatically overcomes the car’s inherent acoustical challenges in order to deliver unparalleled, highly accurate sound as the artist intended. With IMPRINT, the technical, time-consuming process of sound tuning a vehicle is quicker and easier than ever before…

Pioneer Electronics Inc. is giving consumers the power to add more bass to their vehicles with the introduction of its new series of Pioneer and Premier branded Champion Pro, ib-Flat Shallow and Champion series car subwoofers. Each new subwoofer was reinforced with an application of basalt rock speaker technology in the cone production process to deliver the essential low bass frequencies to make music come alive for an enhanced in-car sound experience. The subwoofers adopt a new sophisticated cone design that not only looks sleek, but also reinforces the structure to handle increased power…

Clarion, a global leader of mobile electronics, introduces all-new multimedia units designed especially for marine enthusiasts. Clarion’s custom Marine line for 2009 includes five newly designed units featuring upgraded multimedia and sound capabilities with sleek new cosmetics and a brand new speaker line.

The top-of-the-line Multimedia head-unit (CMV1) is the marine industry’s first watertight head-unit to offer video playback on a front panel color display. Clarion’s CMV1 was selected by the Consumer Electronics Association, as an Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering Award honoree in the In-Vehicle Audio product category for product and design excellence…