Car Electronics
-
Chrysler Embraces iPodBy Amy Gilroy, January 30, 2006The Chrysler Group announced it will be the first American automaker to provide full iPod integration as an option in most of its 2006 models, with over 3 million 2006 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models offering seamless iPod integration beginning this spring. At the North American International Auto Show here, Chrysler said drivers will be able to listen to their iPod t... More
-
ClarificationBy Staff, January 30, 2006Advanced Global Technology (AGT) is the supplier of the new XM Sportscaster mentioned in the “Stern Helps Sirius Top XM In Subs During Q4” story (see TWICE ,Jan. 16, p. 6.) More
-
GMRS Range Hits 18 MilesBy Amy Gilroy, January 30, 2006New 2006 GMRS two-way radios are offering longer talk ranges of up to 18 miles, compared to 14 miles last year. “Range really has been the biggest thing people seem attracted to,” said Midland marketing communications manager Chris Oehlert. Cobra consumer products senior director Sally Washlow said research showed that consumers want long range, but only if it is in a sma... More
-
JL Audio Expands CleanSweepBy Amy Gilroy, January 30, 2006JL Audio introduced two new OEM integration modules expanding the CleanSweep — one of the first name-brand OEM integration devices — into a line of products. The company also introduced a new A series of amplifiers, representing its first new amplifier line in three years. More
-
Radar Detectors For 2006 DebutBy Amy Gilroy, January 30, 2006Cobra and Whistler debuted radar detectors for 2006, which include one of the first models with a full-color screen from Cobra and new models with remote control from Whistler. The 2006 Cobra line is capped by the XRS9930 detector with an OLED screen, similar in quality to those used in cellular phones, said Cobra marketing and sales senior VP Tony Mirabelli. More
-
Suppliers Broaden Real-Time Traffic OfferingsBy Amy Gilroy, January 30, 2006Real-time traffic service that delivers traffic updates roughly every minute is still a fledgling market, but it has won support by nearly every major navigation supplier. Magellan and Kenwood at International CES added their names to the list of companies now offering real-time traffic options, joining suppliers including Alpine, Audiovox, Cobra, Garmin, Pioneer a... More
-
Xact Exits GMRSBy Staff, January 30, 2006Xact Communication said it will not produce new GMRS radios for 2006 and has effectively exited the GMRS market. A spokesman said the company will instead focus on VoIP Internet telephones. Xact is still selling through its inventory of 2005 two-way radios at present, he said. More
-
Alpine Shows Video iPod-Ready Car StereoBy Amy Gilroy, January 16, 2006Alpine announced it will ship one of the first car video systems that will work with a video iPod and the first to be compatible with the not-yet-deployed Sirius satellite video service for the car. Alpine will launch this summer a bolt-on module for its 10.2-inch flip-down monitor/DVD model PKG-RSE2 introduced here at International CES. More
-
Audiovox Launches Intellicar Brand At CESBy Amy Gilroy, January 16, 2006Audiovox launched a new car stereo brand at International CES called Intellicar by Jensen. Intellicar products will include advanced car A/V receivers capped by an in-dash car computer called the Nav PC. It includes a 40GB hard drive, DVD ROM and 1GHz processor with 512MB of memory, GPS antenna and navigation software. More
-
Directed Launches Lower Cost WCC, Enters NavBy Amy Gilroy, January 16, 2006Directed Electronics, fresh from its initial public offering on the NASDAQ stock exchange on Dec. 16, introduced at International CES a new lower-priced line of West Coast Customs (WCC)-branded car stereo. The company also entered the portable navigation market and is introducing a new Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) adapter for upscale European cars. More
-
Eclipse Enters Circuit CityBy James Willcox, January 16, 2006Eclipse announced at International CES that is adding Circuit City to its distribution network, effectively increasing its storefront count by 50 percent. Eclipse products will debut in all of Circuit City's 600-plus stores, as well as its Web site, starting this spring. More
-
iBiquity Designs HD Radio Car AdapterBy Joseph Palenchar, January 16, 2006HD Radio inventor iBiquity has devised a way to turn any satellite-radio-ready OEM or after-market car stereo into an HD Radio that receives digital AM and FM broadcasts. The intent is to give consumers an opportunity to add HD Radio to their existing car stereo system without replacing their existing head unit. More
-
Bluetooth Popularity Is On The RiseBy Amy Gilroy, January 5, 2006Over a half dozen 12-volt suppliers are introducing new Bluetooth-ready head units at International CES that are compatible with cellular phones for hands-free dialing. Bluetooth could become an important feature, said suppliers, because more phones incorporate it and more U. More
-
CD Players Get Hot At $130 (Not At $99)By Amy Gilroy, January 5, 2006Some suppliers are focusing on entry-level, step-up head units because of a new trend in CD receivers: Consumers are choosing $130 CD receivers over the price leaders at $99. In 2005, the Pioneer DEH P3700 became the best-selling CD receiver in the industry through October, according to the NPD Group, Port Washington, N. More
-
CD Players Offer New Media ConnectionsBy Amy Gilroy, January 5, 2006Signs that the car stereo head unit is undergoing a radical shift may be seen in every corner of the mobile electronics booths at International CES. In size alone, the single-DIN CD receiver of the past 20 years is converting to the double-DIN format used by close to half of all OEM radios at present. More
-
More Brands Jump Into OEM IntegrationBy Amy Gilroy, January 5, 2006In a trend that began last year, many name-brand suppliers are entering the OEM integration market. They are offering branded “black boxes” designed to allow other after-market products to work or integrate with OEM sound systems. For many years, OEM integration devices were offered by third-party suppliers, but, increasingly, name-brand suppliers are entering the marke... More
-
Portable Navigation Keeps On ClimbingBy Amy Gilroy, January 5, 2006In-car navigation sales have ramped up so rapidly that the category has become a lightening rod for new entrants and new technology debuting here at International CES. According to The NPD Group of Port Washington, N.Y., total in-car navigation sales in the United States skyrocketed 126. More
-
Satellite TV Companies Offer Mobile InternetBy Amy Gilroy, January 5, 2006Satellite TV companies Audiovox, KVH and RaySat are introducing new products here that offer mobile Internet connections to the automobile. In addition, OEM integrator Blitz Safe says it is developing a nonmechanical 4-inch by 4-inch car satellite TV antenna that works with DirecTV. More
-
Beltronics Bows New Radar DetectorsBy Amy Gilroy, December 19, 2005Beltronics is offering a new line of radar detectors aimed at “young, affluent, tech-savvy” consumers. Among the 2006 products is a new Road Pack for the top of the line Vector 995 that allows the detector to be hardwired to the fuse box for a “custom installation. More
-
Car Speaker Sales ReboundBy Amy Gilroy, December 19, 2005Car audio speakers are showing signs of a turnaround, with year-to-date sales through October up 5.5 percent in dollars and 3.1 percent in units, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. The figures mark a welcome reversal from the overall speaker declines seen in 2003 and 2004. (See chart). More
Advertisement
Advertisement
