Alpine Planning to Release Aftermarket CarPlay Console This Fall

[subterFUSE]

I have looked at a number of new vehicle and after market radios that offer Bluetooth streaming of music from the iPhone. In each implementation, none of the radios will show the iTunes playlist--only the metadata for the current song. To get the playlist, the iPhone must be hard connected to the car radio.

Will a CarPlay product resolve this issue? Or, is the lack of a playlist when connected wirelessly just a limitation of BlueTooth.

Maybe Apple is bypassing this issue by not connecting to the CarPlay radio via Bluetooth but instead using AirPlay.

Don Barar

I think it might be a bluetooth limitation. I don't use bluetooth music streaming in my car because of that reason, plus the quality is not as good as the wired connection.

AirPlay in the car has been one of my big "want to have" features for a while.
I know that I could do it now if I get an Airport Express and just modify it to work on 12V power.

 

[parseckadet]

Given Apple's track record over the last couple of years, by the time anything which integrates with CarPlay comes to market they'll have already moved on to whatever the next gimmick of theirs is. Just look at the list of features that have become mere afterthoughts to Apple now:
Passbook
Facebook/Twitter integration
Maps
Siri
Game Center

Apple has two main focuses these days. Developing new wiz-bag features that will just be forgotten about a year later, and redesigning the UI so everyone will leave them alone about how much they all hate green felt.

 

[misterbee6]

Better than ipad?

I have been using an iPad on my dash since the iPad 1 was released. It sits in a RAM mount, and connects to my stereo via USB. I have never seen Carplay in action, how would it be an improvement over wha I have now?

 

[brendu]

Apple already partners with tom tom, so it could be more possible than you think.

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Interesting..

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The iPhone has gps. And they have a deal with Tom-Tom over the maps. routes you need, which are usually needed over and over -- work, home, downtown, like that -- are downloaded and cached; unless it changes, you have the maps you mostly need all the time.

The iPhones GPS is still dependent on cellular service. If they had a dedicated gps chip that was not dependent on cellular (like most automobile gps units) in a car play head unit it could provide an always consistent service that many would not have when going on road trips. Also the data used would be very high and cause overages for many if maps depends on cellular data.

 

[parseckadet]

The iPhones GPS is still dependent on cellular service. If they had a dedicated gps chip that was not dependent on cellular (like most automobile gps units) in a car play head unit it could provide an always consistent service that many would not have when going on road trips. Also the data used would be very high and cause overages for many if maps depends on cellular data.

Wrong. The iPhone does have a dedicated GPS chip which works just fine without cellular service. I have gone on many road trips with the Navigon and Garmin apps and they continue to work just fine even without a cell signal or data connection. As long as the maps are on the device, and not downloaded, then the GPS on the iPhone is just as accurate as any stand alone GPS unit.

The only time the iPhone uses a cellular connection in regards to GPS (aside from getting map data) is to get data which speeds the satellite acquisition process. Without this data it can still acquire the satellite signals, it just takes a little longer (about as long as a stand alone device does).

 

[mdelvecchio]

I would buy it if it costs around $300. However, I'm afraid that won't happen for a couple of years. I'll be in the market for an entirely new vehicle by the time these systems are within the $300 price range.

pioneer's AppRadio is already $300 & $400 at launch. it uses all the latest public apple APIs for ipod and Siri Eyes-Free.

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Or just buy a mount for your iPhone and call it done.

not as good. trying to touch a tiny screen while driving is a major PITA.

 

[enigmatut]

+1 on eager to see how this pans out

I'm in the "very interested, but let's wait-and-see" crowd.
Regardless of aftermarket options, in 5-8 years when I'm in the market for a new car, the availability of CarPlay will weigh heavily into my decision.
(and yes, even 5+ years out I plan to remain married to iOS ... til death do us part )

 

[mdelvecchio]

BEFORE installation. After installation, $1000+.

if thats what youre paying for installation, youre doing it wrong. ive had free install at Best Buy, to $100+. not $500-700.

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This sounds good in theory but I would love to see it in action. In particular, going on a road trip and using the iPhone maps to navigate. If you lose signal, wouldn't that make the maps app and phone useless at that point? I seen this before with an older phone thinking that a phone could replace a portable Garmen.

apple said CarPlay-optmized apps will be possible on the head units. id imagine some of the offline-enabled nav apps will apply and obtain CarPlay compatibility -- like Garmin's USA app, etc.

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Unless there were a way for an aftermarket unit to include a gps chip that apple could partner with a tom tom or garmin type company to allow for navigation in the car without using cellular service. (I don't think this is going to happen but it would be cool)

the GPS chip is independent from cellular antennas. when i travel abroad i disable cellular but GPS still works. Garmin promotes their app for such non-cellular scenarios.

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Pass.

Aftermarket is the key to Carplay success but at these price points they will not sell in large quantities.

these arent price points -- these are rumors. how can you pass on a product that doesnt exist at a price that hasnt been announced?

remember when they said ipad would start at $1000?

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$500-$700 is ridiculously overpriced for what it is.

er, "what it is"? it doesnt even exist. it's a rumored product at a rumored price by a foreign newspaper.

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I still don't even get what the CarPlay does that's so amazing. I think it's been explained to me before. But haven't people been able to do what the CarPlay does wirelessly for years? I don't have a car with one of those screens or a smartphone, but I see people with their phones wirelessly connected to screens all the time. It seems like the iPhone does that but over a wire.

yes it's true, you dont get what it does. and no, people cannot currently do what CarPlay is hoped to do.

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It's not an iPad. It's a radio with a screen. I guess it would have to be a double DIN for Maps, but I don't know.

definitely double-DIN.

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My eyes are on the road, not electro-whiz-screens. Maps have turn by turn nav, Bluetooth some music. Can't say that one 'needs' much more.

what's an electro-whiz screen?

if youve spent any great amount of time on the road w/ your phone, then you know its not designed for you to be futzing on it while driving. also, a small screen is not ideal for nav -- note that no auto manufacture builds a nav system w/ a puny cell-sized screen. bigger is better, and theres no denying it.

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Is this something that will even be feasible today? Almost all recent cars have elaborate built-in radios and other electronic systems. And it's been like that for quite a few years.

no. most use standard single or double DIN head units, underneath custom dash moulding to disguise that from you. just call a mobile installer or use crutchfield to see what your car can get.

You'll need a car that is capable of accepting an aftermarket car stereo with a large screen... and be willing to part with $1000+

why would i spend $1000? Pioneer's AppRadio series begin at $300 and sport integration w/ iOS including external display support and touch-support for compatible apps.

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That's why I use a Note 3 and cheap bluetooth head units.

yeah, but then you have to use a Note 3. this is iOS.

Once Apple releases a larger iPhone interest in this goofy idea will die quickly. [...] Other than music, gps and hands free calling what else do you really need while driving? What else are you suppose to do while driving a vehicle?

thats exactly what it's for -- music, gps, hands free calling, and eyes-free texting. in a big screen thats better than a cell phone's.

 

[iMember]

is said to hit the United States and Europe this year with a cost of around $500 to $700.

Great Price!, i know it does have some similarities with Apple TV but this is a Car tech it should cost more..i mean how much does a new GoodYear tire cost? Exactly
Aplpine or AfterMarket Job Well Done!

 

[mdelvecchio]

I get the impression that anyone complaining about the estimated price has never looked as the MSRP for aftermarket stereos. The retail on Alpines cheapest double-DIN unit is already over $500. From the description this isn't just a CarPlay receiver, this is a normal aftermarket double DIN stereo that can use CarPlay. Why would it cost less than any other stereo on the market? A good DVD receiver can easily go for $1000-1500. Anyone expecting it to go for the price of an iPhone dock is deluding themselves.

why would it cost any more that other stereos on the market? Pioneer's iOS-compatible (external display, and touch for apps) goes for $330.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130SPDA110/Pioneer-SPH-DA110-AppRadio-3.html

 

[brendu]

Wrong. The iPhone does have a dedicated GPS chip which works just fine without cellular service. I have gone on many road trips with the Navigon and Garmin apps and they continue to work just fine even without a cell signal or data connection. As long as the maps are on the device, and not downloaded, then the GPS on the iPhone is just as accurate as any stand alone GPS unit.

The only time the iPhone uses a cellular connection in regards to GPS (aside from getting map data) is to get data which speeds the satellite acquisition process. Without this data it can still acquire the satellite signals, it just takes a little longer (about as long as a stand alone device does).

This I did not know. Pretty cool

 

[mdelvecchio]

I'll wait until a product has a "Made for CarPlay" certification. Being so deeply integrated into a vehicle's existing electronics, I'm not going to risk a malfunction affecting the safety of a moving vehicle unless it's certified.

they dont work that way. a third-party head unit has absolutely zilch to do w/ the safety functions of your car. absolutely nothing.

but yes, any product sold as a CarPlay head unit will absolutely be certified and licensed.

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Okay, some people will spend $500-$1000 for a fancy music player.

I just do not get it. Why?

My iphone does all this stuff now. Not as elegant, but....

I just don't get it.

because operating music and maps on a tiny 3.5" - 4" cell phone screen is not ideal and definitely less safe than using an in-dash reciever's 7" screen? maybe?

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Given Apple's track record over the last couple of years, by the time anything which integrates with CarPlay comes to market they'll have already moved on to whatever the next gimmick of theirs is. Just look at the list of features that have become mere afterthoughts to Apple now:

Passbook
Facebook/Twitter integration
Maps
Siri
Game Center

Apple has two main focuses these days. Developing new wiz-bag features that will just be forgotten about a year later, and redesigning the UI so everyone will leave them alone about how much they all hate green felt.

sorry but youre high -- those arent gimmicks, theyre foundations of functionality in iOS. maybe you dont use Passbook, or Facebook, or Siri, or even Maps, but millions and millions and millions of people do. every day. im one of them.

 

[nim81]

I don't see the point of this. It's useless without the iPhone anyway so why not just get a decent mount for your phone? Or an iPad if you need a bigger display.

People are already moving away from dedicated GPS units and using their smartphones, this seems an expensive way of duplicating the functionality of a device you already own - unless I'm really missing something.

 

[robjulo]

Or just buy a mount for your iPhone and call it done.

With the iPhone's tiny little screen?

 

[mdelvecchio]

I don't see the point of this. It's useless without the iPhone anyway so why not just get a decent mount for your phone? Or an iPad if you need a bigger display.

People are already moving away from dedicated GPS units and using their smartphones, this seems an expensive way of duplicating the functionality of a device you already own - unless I'm really missing something.

you are. it is not duplicating functionality of your phone, because it's 100% driven by your phone. you plug in your phone, and the head unit becomes a giant 7" external monitor which supports touch for your apps in an apple-designed UI that is optimized for dash.

if you dont understand why thats better than using a 3.5" - 4" cell phone using an ugly mount and a cable or two sticking out of your car, well, then...maybe youre not in the market for modern car electronics.

 

[nim81]

if you dont understand why thats better than using a 3.5" - 4" cell phone using an ugly mount and a cable or two sticking out of your car, well, then...maybe youre not in the market for modern car electronics.

Well yes - and I'd imagine 99% of other people aren't either. I will eat my iPhone if this is anything more than a tiny niche for Apple, and you know what normally ends up happening to those products.

It seems like this is something for luxury cars and people with too much money. I doubt too many people give a toss about having an "ugly mount and a cable or two" in their car.

 

[Black Magic]

you are. it is not duplicating functionality of your phone, because it's 100% driven by your phone. you plug in your phone, and the head unit becomes a giant 7" external monitor which supports touch for your apps in an apple-designed UI that is optimized for dash.

if you dont understand why thats better than using a 3.5" - 4" cell phone using an ugly mount and a cable or two sticking out of your car, well, then...maybe youre not in the market for modern car electronics.

Car Play is a nice feature to have. I have a car now with Garmen built into the touch display and I get prompted to update the maps all the time. The update is like $150 a year. Forget that.

 

[Menel]

I haven't paid attention to aftermarket car stereos since I was in high school and college in the 90's.

Is this something that will even be feasible today? Almost all recent cars have elaborate built-in radios and other electronic systems. And it's been like that for quite a few years.

You'll need a car that is capable of accepting an aftermarket car stereo with a large screen... and be willing to part with $1000+

Obviously the folks at Alpine have though of this... I'm just curious how it will work out.

It's very easy even today.

Subaru's, Acura, Nissans in the past few years still easy to replace. Some models need a $20 fit kit, and an optional $15 wiring harness. Then it's a 2hr max DIY job in driveway.

New headunits even have inputs for special stuff like factory backup cameras.

 

[bommai]

I get the impression that anyone complaining about the estimated price has never looked as the MSRP for aftermarket stereos. The retail on Alpines cheapest double-DIN unit is already over $500. From the description this isn't just a CarPlay receiver, this is a normal aftermarket double DIN stereo that can use CarPlay. Why would it cost less than any other stereo on the market? A good DVD receiver can easily go for $1000-1500. Anyone expecting it to go for the price of an iPhone dock is deluding themselves.

Not true. I bought a pioneer double-din with CD, AM/FM, Bluetooth, USB, handsfree calling and great quality for $150 free shipping no tax and all installation kit for free from Crutchfield. The DVD receivers from Pioneer start at $300+.

I love my Pioneer aftermarket receiver for my Mazda 3 (2006 model). Now I am enjoying itUnes radio, pandora, handsfree calling, siri, USB audio, USB charging for my iPhone etc on it.

 

[nabwong]

Buying an iPhone 5.5 and a $20 mount. Done.

 

[bearda]

why would it cost any more that other stereos on the market? Pioneer's iOS-compatible (external display, and touch for apps) goes for $330.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130SPDA110/Pioneer-SPH-DA110-AppRadio-3.html

Long story short, because some stereo brands are more expensive than others. Alpine as a brand seems to consistently command a premium over Pioneer, usually at least $150. Here's the lowest end touchscreen double-DIN Alpine Crutchfields sells for comparison:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500IVEW530/Alpine-IVE-W530.html?tp=5684

I like Pioneer units, but keep in mind I'm going of retail prices, too. Retail on the Pioneer unit you linked to is $400. That's the version with a CD/DVD drive as well. You want the version that can play discs and the retail goes up to $500. The Alpine I linked to was $550 retail. And again, that's on the cheapest model that's available. If this is in their midrange or high end models only (which would not be a surprise) then it's not out of line with the current pricing.

But more realistically, they'll charge more for it because they can. The AppRadio system was overpriced when it came to the market because it was one of the first of it's kind. You're now looking at the third iteration. In a few years when there's more competition I'm sure prices will come down to the point where it doesn't add anything to the bottom line, but I don't think it's terribly unreasonable for a manufacturer to add a reasonable premium to the cost of their existing product line for a new unit that adds a significant feature (especially if they have to pay royalties to Apple for the privilege).

 

[JAT]

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Interesting..

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The iPhones GPS is still dependent on cellular service. If they had a dedicated gps chip that was not dependent on cellular (like most automobile gps units) in a car play head unit it could provide an always consistent service that many would not have when going on road trips. Also the data used would be very high and cause overages for many if maps depends on cellular data.

Your assumptions about the gps are incorrect. There have been standalone gps apps on the App Store almost since it began 6 years ago. They work perfectly fine without cell signal. I use one weekly (for work, where it must function for me) on my old phone, which is not currently connected as a phone. These apps have the full map built in, they do not need internet connection to operate.

The gps tracking is a bit slower without constant internet connection, but that is generally only an issue at startup. If you can wait an extra few seconds when starting out, you should be fine. And that is true of standalone gps units, as well, since none of them have internet assistance, so that's hardly a huge problem.

TomTom, Garmin, Navigon are some of the apps that use a built-in map. Someone mentioned Motion, but I don't believe that is correct, perhaps that poster meant it caches better than Apple's Maps.

 

[bearda]

Not true. I bought a pioneer double-din with CD, AM/FM, Bluetooth, USB, handsfree calling and great quality for $150 free shipping no tax and all installation kit for free from Crutchfield. The DVD receivers from Pioneer start at $300+.

I love my Pioneer aftermarket receiver for my Mazda 3 (2006 model). Now I am enjoying itUnes radio, pandora, handsfree calling, siri, USB audio, USB charging for my iPhone etc on it.

Wow, that's a coincidence. I actually just put a Pioneer AVH-X3500BHS in my 2006 Mazda3 in January which I love (after I dumped the terrible Metra dash kit Crutchfield included). I'm using that as a baseline for pricing, actually, since it was about $300 when I bought it. It was $300 because it was a generation old, and originally retailed at $400. I had looked into Alpine units when I shopped around, but ended up deciding that for the premium they charged they just weren't worth it.

Going back to my original statement, new retail price this is very much in line with the rest of Alpine's lineup. Sure, there are cheaper units out there (I own one). And if/when Pioneer produces a CarPlay compatible unit it'll probably be cheaper, but the MSRP on it will probably still be at least $400. Hopefully once that gets to the street price it'll be closer to $300, but that'll be a while.

 

[Crzyrio]

My eyes are on the road, not electro-whiz-screens. Maps have turn by turn nav, Bluetooth some music. Can't say that one 'needs' much more.

That's why I use a Note 3 and cheap bluetooth head units. Once Apple releases a larger iPhone interest in this goofy idea will die quickly. I own 2 cars, a truck, a motorcycle and I built a custom mount for all 4.
Other than music, gps and hands free calling what else do you really need while driving? What else are you suppose to do while driving a vehicle?

Yes but when you pull over to the side of the road to change the address or look for a particular road on the map, do you really want to lean forward, squint and try to manipulate the phone. Or would you rather have nice big buttons on a slightly larger screen that makes everything easier?

While it is a cheaper solution is more definitely is not the best solution or any where close to it.

 

[rrm74001]

if thats what youre paying for installation, youre doing it wrong. ive had free install at Best Buy, to $100+. not $500-700.

I would never let Best Buy touch my car.