Dual Electronics announced its 2010 car radio lineup, which features a car radio with a new type of docking cradle for an iPhone, one of several unique iPhone solutions hitting the market.
The Dual XML8110 has a face plate that flips down to reveal a built-in cradle for an iPhone or iPod. There is no inner iPod compartment; instead the iPod is secured and seated on top of the faceplate on a 30-pin plug/cradle.
The CD-less model (without a CD mechanism) has a total of 240 watts MOSFET power, Bluetooth, AM/FM radio and steering-wheel interface input. Its cradle/dock is adjustable to fit all iPods and iPhones except for the Shuffle. The XML8110 is expected to ship in October at a suggested retail of $179.
The Dual radio joins other unique iPhone-docking products, including a Parrot head unit (see story, right) and products from Fusion with built-in iPhone compartments including a marine MS-IP600 head unit at $299.
Dual also introduced a new flagship A/V-navigation unit — its first to offer maps that reside in the unit’s memory vs. an SD card for faster route mapping. The new XDVDN9131 DVD/monitor also has direct USB control for an iPod. It includes a 7-inch touchscreen in a single-DIN unit with Bluetooth and SD card slot at a suggested retail of $699. Navigation features include text-to-speech pronunciation of street names and 2 million points of interest.
Dual is also expanding to three models its selection of head units with HD Radio iTunes tagging that lets consumers bookmark favorite songs heard on HD Radio for purchase later on iTunes. Joining two previous Dual models with iTunes tagging is an XHD6430 CD receiver with built-in HD Radio and USB iPod control. It is Bluetooth ready and has a wireless remote and steering-wheel interface at a suggested retail of $159.
Other new Dual 2010 models include two Bluetooth stereo capable CD receivers with a USB iPod connection: the 200-watt XDMA6330BT at $139 and an XDMA6355 at $119. The XDMA6330BT includes a Bluetooth module while the 6355 requires an optional module. These are joined by a basic XD6150 CD receiver with USB charging port and front-panel auxiliary input, wireless remote and detachable face at $99; an XR4110 at $79; and an 8-inch powered band-pass enclosure, model SBP8A, with 160-watt peak power at $179.
