Car Electronics
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FM Multicasts Expand To Top 100 MarketsBy Joseph Palenchar, May 21, 2007Radio stations in 15 more markets have begun broadcasting a digital HD-Radio signal, bringing the number of HD-Radio markets to 188 and bringing HD-Radio multicasting to the top 100 markets, the HD Digital Radio Alliance announced. The 60 stations that went digital in the 15 markets are all FM stations, and all launched FM multicasting. More
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Panasonic Ships Its 1st U.S. GPS DeviceBy Amy Gilroy, May 21, 2007Panasonic, the self-proclaimed leader in navigation in Japan, officially begins shipping this month its first U.S-aimed in-dash navigation unit, and it will enter portable GPS in the future. The Strada in-dash navigation system is a 30GB hard-drive-based, double-DIN model that can play back iPod video and audio at a suggested $1,799. More
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View Base Puts Portables On The DashBy Staff, May 21, 2007View Base is a new mounting solution for devices such as portable GPS units, MP3 players and cellphones that consumers may want to mount on the dashboard without adhesives and without drilling. The View Base resembles a high-tech bean bag with an indentation in the middle. More
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LG Electronics Enters U.S. PND MarketBy Amy Gilroy, May 7, 2007LG Electronics entered the U.S. GPS market with three personal navigation devices, and a fourth model is on the way at the high end. The initial trio, all with MP3 players and photo viewers, are available at Circuit City, Crutchfield and other stores and are topped by the LN740 at an expected retail of $449. More
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Ford Readies After-Market Challenge With SyncBy Amy Gilroy, May 7, 2007One of the more advanced car audio systems to debut this fall will not come from the aftermarket, but from Ford, when it delivers the new Sync voice recognition system that was first announced in January. Sync employs voice recognition to access and control all the songs in a music cellphone, iPod, Zune or PlaysForSure MP3 player and flash drive. More
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Best Buy Adjusts 12-Volt ApproachBy Amy Gilroy, May 7, 2007Best Buy said it is implementing several changes in its 12-volt merchandising to reflect the broader changes in the car audio market. The company launched a storewide push into HD Radio last month, offering a new Visteon Zoom car receiver in all stores. In addition, merchandising VP Chris Homeister said the leading U. More
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HD Radio Gets $40 RebateBy Amy Gilroy, May 7, 2007HD Radio developer iBiquity is offering a $40 mail-in rebate on HD-Radio receivers for the "Moms, Dads and Grads" season that could bring prices down on some radios by more than 20 percent, said iBiquity. The rebate began April 29 and will be offered on most HD-Radio receivers. More
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Pioneer Intros Promos, AmpsBy Amy Gilroy, May 7, 2007Pioneer introduced a unique car promotion and announced the winner of its first demo vehicle build-off contest. In addition the company announced a new line of competition digital amplifiers as well as its new personal navigation device. (See "Pioneer Bows Portable GPS, Amps" on www. More
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Garmin Reports Record Q1By Amy Gilroy, May 2, 2007Cayman Islands — Garmin reported a record first quarter with revenue up 53 percent to $492 million driven by strong sales of personal navigation devices (PNDs). More
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Court Blocks Garmin Suit Against TomTomBy Amy Gilroy, April 27, 2007Olathe, Kan. — Garmin said a U.S. District Court in Wisconsin dismissed a patent infringement suit by Garmin against TomTom. More
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XM Stays Upbeat About MergerBy Amy Gilroy, April 26, 2007Washington — XM Satellite Radio CEO Hugh Panero (left) told analysts today that XM remains positive in its outlook for a merger with Sirius. More
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LG Enters GPSBy Amy Gilroy, April 23, 2007Englewood Cliffs, N.J. — LG is shipping its first portable GPS devices in an aggressively priced three-model line first announced in January at International CES. More
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Car Locators Expected To GrowBy Amy Gilroy, April 23, 2007Car locators or GPS tracking devices represent a small niche, but one that suppliers say could win over the high end of the security market. While retailers such as Crutchfield and Seattle-based Car Toys cite limited demand for the category thus far, some suppliers said the time is ripe for sales to increase. More
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Car Video Helps Out OEM IntegrationBy Amy Gilroy, April 23, 2007Suppliers are starting to add video touchscreens to their OEM integration offerings giving consumers an easy way to control all their devices, such as iPods and satellite radio, as they are added to their car stereo system. Some of the first "OEM integration" monitors began shipping last month from Alpine and Kenwood, which essentially separate the monitor from the head unit a... More
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Hyundai, Jaguar Offer HD RadioBy Staff, April 23, 2007HD Radio is increasing its toe hold in the new car market as Hyundai and Jaguar announced they will offer HD Radio in one car model each. They follow the lead of BMW, which will offer HD Radio as an option across its lineup. A total of nine automotive manufacturers are expected to offer 51 models with HD Radio receivers prior to 2010, according to iBiquity, the developer of HD... More
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MERA President Shows Autosound Future At KnowledgeFestBy Staff, April 9, 2007At the recent KnowledgeFest trade gathering, Bob Graham, president of the Mobile Enhancement Retailers Association (MERA) spoke on the future of autosound and the role of the 12-volt specialist. As it is sure to ring home to many in the industry, the speech is presented here in truncated form. More
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Chrysler Will Launch Sirius TVBy Amy Gilroy, April 9, 2007Sirius announced market plans for its long anticipated satellite TV system, with Chrysler to be the first car manufacturer to offer the service. An after-market debut of the service may follow later this year, said the company. The new Sirius Backseat TV will be produced by Delphi and offer programming from Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network over three channels in... More
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Ford To Offer Sony RadiosBy Amy Gilroy, April 9, 2007In the broadest adoption of an after-market car audio brand by Ford, the company said it will begin offering Sony-branded audio systems throughout the Ford and Mercury line in North America starting in 2008. Within several years of that date, Sony-branded radios will be available on all Ford and Mercury vehicles as standard equipment or an option, said a Ford spokeswoman. More
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Bluetooth Gets UpgradeBy Amy Gilroy, March 27, 2007Orlando, Fla. — Bluetooth is getting a technology boost to make it easier for devices to “recognize” one another and to conserve battery energy. More
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MERA Pushes Change At KnowledgeFestBy Amy Gilroy, March 26, 2007At the annual KnowledgeFest gathering of the car A/V industry, the Mobile Enhancement Retailers Association (MERA) took its most aggressive stance yet on warning its retail members to change. Executive director Rick Mathies said, "We're more adamant and more forceful in the message that retailers need to adapt to the changing times because if they don't, what is the alt... More
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