Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Alpine Debuts First Aftermarket Wireless CarPlay Receiver
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Oh yes... DIN is still a thing and very common. CNet shows in the specs for this Alpine unit it is the "Double DIN" standard size.
Thanks.
That is what I've been seeing. Quite a shame, considering Wireless CarPlay was available LONG before FCA even started this initiative.
If you want a car from a brand who is on the forefront of technology, FCA is not your brand.
I say this being friends with an FCA engineer in Auburn Hills and my stepfather being an FCA engineer himself.
The CarPlay integration we did get is half-baked. Ask her to adjust the HVAC or a similar in-car function. She'll tell you she can't do it -- FCA left that out. Maps directions aren't displayed in the centre instrument cluster display, FCA left that out too.
Honestly, you should be happy FCA even gave us CarPlay. I don't want that to come across snarky or sharp, but I mean it in the sense that FCA is typically not as focused as say, Ford, on infotainment.
Also, FYI, Uconnect 4 is buggy, at least for Charger/300. Don't be surprised if you end up having your radio replaced. We've had our USB ports in the centre console replaced twice and I now have to make an appointment for the radio itself to be replaced, it likes to die while driving sometimes, and sometimes not turn off with the car.
100% chance it does not have a DVD player, or any other optical disc player. it's a shallow, mech-less head unit.
Pioneer's AppRadio 4 or NEX models let you have Waze open on the iPhone and your audio source displayed on the head unit but only if you switch out of the CarPlay interface by pressing the Mode button on the Pioneer. I do this every day. The only catch, other than having Waze on the small screen, is that you may have to switch back to CarPlay if you want to change tracks or the audio source and every time you do this, it takes you out of Waze.
Honestly, if you really like Waze, I think the best option today is Pioneer's "AppRadio One" models. They don't support CarPlay but they do Siri Eyes Free (which gives you voice control, Bluetooth calling, Messages dictation, etc.) and you can have Waze displayed on the head unit with just a USB connection to your iPhone.
Why does it have to be a special model deck? Most current stock equipment that supports CarPlay also support bluetooth. Can't CarPlay communicate via Bluetooth? That's what I'm waiting for..I'm sure as hell not going to buy a new car to replace my current new car just for wireless CarPlay...
It's all going to be fixed with iPhone 8
[doublepost=1498779713][/doublepost]I'm not buying a new car until this wireless CarPlay and wireless charging is rolled out.
You cannot display different apps between CarPlay and your device. So if you're asking if it's possible to have Waze on your phone, and the playback controls on the deck screen, the answer is no.
I own an ILX-007 (the non-wireless model that preceded this one).
I always keep my iPhones in Mophie battery cases, which is why removing the case and plugging in a Lightning cable every damn time is a deal breaker. I haven't connected a cable to my iPhone in months.
Last edited:
I do not see where in the article that says it uses 5GHz WiFi to connect.
How does that even work if the vehicle does not have a hotspot?
How does that even work if the vehicle does not have a hotspot?
This is going to be a contributing factor to me getting a head unit as well. If it had Waze (or Maps got good enough to compete with Waze) I'd be all in.
I guess my sweet ride is gonna have to wait for a radio upgrade :/
Sorry for the poor wording, but what I actually meant was, in how many late-model cars can you actually swap the manufacturers unit for one of these after-market double DIN kits, such as the above mentioned Alpine unit?
It used to be easy, but today's cars mostly have everything integrated into the dash, with Stereo, navigation, touchscreen controls, climate control and back-up camera, etc. seemingly all in one package, and there isn't a square angle in sight, everything is sloping, arched, rounded and cushiony, and there doesn't appear to be some kind of a DIN-sized space hiding in plain sight.
Not being an installer myself, not sure how these Alpine units could be made functional in late model cars, short of mounting them in a DIN sleeve, under the dash? Perhaps experienced installers have templates and coverplates to swap the units out and make it all work again and look professional, but it's definitely not something I would attempt to tackle myself.
If CarPlay disables the iPhone screen when connected, what happens when you're parked and want to use your phone for other purposes? It better just be a matter of turning off Wifi to disconnect CarPlay.
C
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_794ADSMRR/iDatalink-Maestro-ADS-MRR-Interface-Module.html?tp=3486
Crutchfield's website has a "does this radio fit my vehicle" option. I know it doesn't specifically answer your question, and I think a lot of newer vehicle are preventing after market radios, but it is helpful at least. Also, I was worried about vehicle integration for all things in the infotainment, but it looks like there is a workaround for that as well. The iDatalink Maestro apparently solves the vehicle integration issues with backup cameras, engine/vehicle,tire pressure monitoring, etc. I have no first-hand experience with it, but came across it and thought I'd mention it. It seems most of these newer head units are compatible with it.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_794ADSMRR/iDatalink-Maestro-ADS-MRR-Interface-Module.html?tp=3486
The iDatalink's Maestro ADS-MRR module is unfortunately not compatible with CarPlay (from their website).
I think I have missed the beauty with carplay.. Does it give full access to all in-car settings? Otherwise - I still stick with bigger removable/exchangable iPad Pro in car. Why not allow an iDevice to act as carplay device instead? Is it all about nicer integration?
The LTE iPad is still BT connected, controlled via Siri. I love the bigger screen and can use splitscreen with favo navi app together with music or whatever other app I choose. What would a carplay unit rather give me? Ok, I guess better than a traditional in-car Navi which is clunky and outdated already when car is delivered new.
(I'd prefer smartphone/tablet mounts in car and allowing access to the cars api from those..)
The LTE iPad is still BT connected, controlled via Siri. I love the bigger screen and can use splitscreen with favo navi app together with music or whatever other app I choose. What would a carplay unit rather give me? Ok, I guess better than a traditional in-car Navi which is clunky and outdated already when car is delivered new.
(I'd prefer smartphone/tablet mounts in car and allowing access to the cars api from those..)
But it is compatible with the head units. Maybe I don't understand how Carplay works, so correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you toggle between CarPlay and the headunit's firmware? I just assumed CarPlay sat as an application within the head units functionality.
I purchased the Alpine ILX-007 a while back and returned it after a few days. While I like the smaller design, and the drive-less head unit, I could never get the sound right in my MR2. There was hardly any customizing options, besides using the Alpine app, which was not free. Even after purchasing the app, I still was not able to get decent audio.
I returned it about a week after I purchased it.
I see it differently. I figure I can charge it when I need to, or on long trips. For short trips, or daily commute, I could keep it in my pocket or bag.
I also see a different problem with Wireless CarPlay. Right now, if there is a bug or glitch, unplugging the phone and plugging it back in usually fixes most problems with it. How would this be accomplished with Wireless CarPlay? Turn off WiFi? Restart you vehicle?
Ahhh.... gotcha. Sorry I misunderstood.
Like @jermwhl mentioned, Crutchfield and others sell DIN slide in adaptors and wiring harnesses for a lot of cars, but there are still challenges with the issues you mentioned. I just traded in a 2011 Nissan Frontier I really wanted to upgrade with something like this and also add on a backup camera. To get the steering wheel phone controls it has would have meant another adaptor and a LOT more wiring. I'm pretty handy with a wrench, but I decided I did not want to take it on.
Here is a photo I found online of a Frontier like I had where someone installed a Double DIN Pioneer unit. It does not look awful IMO, but you can certainly tell it is not a factory install.
I think with all the different issues you mentioned and the difficulty of the install, these things are going to be targeting a very niche market.
Attachments
@DempaX
I use a cell enabled iPad Mini in my car but have never mounted it - instead keeping it in the glovebox. Pull it out and put it on the passenger seat when needed. But I would love to have it mounted and visible.
Do you have any issues with your iPad Pro getting too hot and shutting down? I've read stories of such and living in North Carolina have worried about leaving the iPad Mini somewhere other than the glovebox.
thx
qb
[doublepost=1498835763][/doublepost]I don't own any kind of smartphone and don't want one. I use an iPad Mini with cell service in my car for music and when I need email or maps. I've long wished CarPlay would work with iPads. With the Alpine having "wireless" connectivity I would like to know if it would allow me to use CarPlay with the iPad Mini via Bluetooth (or whatever wireless tech this uses). Can anyone provide a answer once they have a unit in hand? Thanks!
I use a cell enabled iPad Mini in my car but have never mounted it - instead keeping it in the glovebox. Pull it out and put it on the passenger seat when needed. But I would love to have it mounted and visible.
Do you have any issues with your iPad Pro getting too hot and shutting down? I've read stories of such and living in North Carolina have worried about leaving the iPad Mini somewhere other than the glovebox.
thx
qb
[doublepost=1498835763][/doublepost]I don't own any kind of smartphone and don't want one. I use an iPad Mini with cell service in my car for music and when I need email or maps. I've long wished CarPlay would work with iPads. With the Alpine having "wireless" connectivity I would like to know if it would allow me to use CarPlay with the iPad Mini via Bluetooth (or whatever wireless tech this uses). Can anyone provide a answer once they have a unit in hand? Thanks!