Car Accessories

Alpine Electronics today announced the new DPR-RDS1 Factory Radio Interface for iPod and iPhone, a device that allows you to listen to music from your iPod or iPhone through any factory radio. I know what you're thinking…can't I do that anyway? Not if you're like me and own an older model vehicle with no auxiliary jack!

The DPR-RDS1 is a small hideaway box that connects to your iPod or iPhone via a supplied iPod cable. Unfortunately, this is not something you can install on your own. Alpine says that the DPR-RDS1 should be professionally installed using a direct connection to the vehicle's antenna. Once it's installed, you will be able to play music from your iPod or iPhone through the factory sound system, and Alpine says that the sound quality will be as strong as an FM radio station (unlike some FM transmitters). Music is controlled through your iPod/iPhone and if your radio has RDS (Radio Data System) functionality, the song, artist and album information will also be displayed on the factory radio's screen.Read more

The new Insignia NS-HD01 HD Radio Portable Player is available now, only at Best Buy, for just $49.99 and is the first portable HD Radio player to hit the market. The player offers new and extra FM HD Radio channels with clear, static-free sound anywhere there is an HD Radio signal.

The player features a built-in, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with up to 10 hours of playing time, a full-color 1.5" LCD screen, 3.5mm output for car use (cable not included), and up to 10 channels can be set in memory so you can easily find your favorite stations. The radio displays artist, song and radio station. For a full list of HD Radio stations, visit www.hdradio.com.

The Insignia NS-HD01 HD Radio Portable Player comes with earphones, an armband and USB cable for charging. It is available now at Best Buy stores and online at www.bestbuy.com for $49.99.

Research in Motion (RIM) has a new accessory for your BlackBerry that lets you listen to your favorite songs over your car's stereo – the BlackBerry Visor Mount Speakerphone (model VM-605). This Bluetooth-enabled device also helps you keep both hands on the wheel by streaming calls from your BlackBerry through your car's stereo system. It supports voice activated dialing, caller ID, and gives you verbal notifications of who's calling.

It's easy to use, too. Just clip it to your car's visor with no installation required. The BlackBerry Visor Mount is available at www.shopblackberry.com for $99.99.

I know it can be intolerable after about 600 times. Well, Autonet Mobile, the first internet entertainment system for cars, is eliminating "Are we there yet?" from kids' vocabulary this summer by turning the family car into a rolling WiFi hotspot. Now, everyone in the car can bring their own computer or WiFi device and be part of "getting there" with the ability to track points of interest on Google Earth; research the history of towns they are passing through on Wikipedia; or post pictures of the trip in real-time on Facebook, flickr or blog pages.

This summer, as Americans take to the roadways, families are replacing the DVD player with the hottest accessory for the car – internet access from Autonet Mobile. I so wish I had this when my family went on long road trips. I had to make do with relics like the Game Boy and Game Gear to keep me entertained. Yes, I had a Game Gear (still have it) and love it!Read more

The Pioneer AVIC-X710BT and AVIC-X910BT, build upon Pioneer's history of in-dash navigation systems by combining turn-by-turn navigation, audio and video entertainment and connectivity options including Apple iPod and iPhone, Bluetooth cell phones, MSN Direct, HD Radio and SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio.

Both models provide consumers with the latest and most comprehensive map database from Tele Atlas covering the entire United States, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii, enabling users to route to millions of destinations including more than 12 million points of interest (POI).

Some other features include:

• Map View Modes: includes 3D map mode, 2D North Up and the new 2D Heading Up modes
• Highway Sign Boards: Simulated highway signs appear onscreen when a major junction approaches for a quick visual aid while navigating
• Redesigned Map Interface: Key on-screen information layered on top of the map
• 3D Icons: More than 1,300 icons are displayed in 3D illustrations

TomTom has joined forces with Locutio Voice Technologies and Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox Licensing) to bring the original voice of Homer Simpson to all TomTom devices via download. Starting today, TomTom users can go to www.tomtom.com/simpsons and download the voice for $12.95 or €9.95.

With an insatiable appetite as his motivation, Homer adds his own words of wisdom for TomTom drivers like, "Take the third right. We might find an ice cream truck! Mmm…ice cream." With Homer's unpredictable and comical commands leading the way, drivers are guaranteed an unforgettable journey.

TomTom portable navigation devices guide drivers with audible, turn-by-turn instructions and 3D maps which work right out of the box, with no additional fees or services required. They offer up to 70 preloaded voices in 36 languages, too. Which makes me wonder if I can download Homer's voice in Spanish or German… Either way, I think this is an excellent buy for people planning on taking a long road trip this summer.

Pioneer is now offering the best value in in-dash navigation with the AVIC-U310BT. This device is a robust, full-featured system with the convenience of built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and Apple iPod/iPhone control. The comprehensive, 2-DIN system provides the sound quality and features expected from a Pioneer in-dash source unit, renowned navigation performance with turn-by-turn route guidance and the ease of wirelessly connecting to Bluetooth enabled cell phones.

Pioneer's AVIC-U310BT utilizes a full-color 4.3-inch WQVGA touch screen display and 2GB of flash memory. It features voice guidance, text-to-speech technology and an SD card slot. Powered by Tele Atlas, the unit's comprehensive database covers the entire United States, Alaska, Hawaii and Canada and includes more than 500,000 points of interest.Read more

The AVIC-Z110BT is Pioneer's flagship in-dash navigation system that allows consumers to simultaneously access mapping and route guidance information, while enjoying various forms of audio and video entertainment.

The AVIC-Z110BT offers:

• Drive Report
• Simulated Highway Sign Boards
• MSN Direct
• Map View Modes
• Detailed City Maps
• Brand Icons
• Customizable Home Screen Menu
• Sophisticated Voice Recognition
• Bluetooth Capability
• Enhanced Voice Guidance
• Enhanced iPod/iPhone Control
• DVD video/CD playbalc and Duall Zone
• USB/SD slot

Featuring a large motorized 7-inch touch panel display, CD/DVD Video playback, built-in Bluetooth and a customizable touch screen interface, AVIC-Z110BT offers superior navigation, control and convenience and audio and entertainment. The AVIC-Z110BT has a suggested price of $1,800 and is scheduled to arrive at retailers in July 2009.

Belkin just announced the TuneCast Auto Live FM transmitter and ClearScan Live software application. Together, you can use your iPhone or iPod as an FM transmitter and locate the best radio frequency, based on your GPS location, to play music in the car. This way, you will be able to find the clearest FM frequency based on your location.

Some of the features of the TuneCast Auto Live are:

• Specifically compatible with iPhone OS 3.0
• Also compatible with the iPod Classic and nano
• ClearScan one-push station locator
• PRO setting optimizes audio and boosts volume
• Two programmable preset buttons
• High-contrast backlit display
• In-car charging

Since this device requires the iPhone OS 3.0, you can expect it to be available this Fall for a MSRP of $79.99. The ClearScan Live application will be a free download. Check out the full press release here.

The new BlueAnt S1 car speakerphone gives you a safe (and easy) way to use your mobile phone while driving. Want to answer a call? Simply say the word "Answer"… there is no need to take your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road. If your phone has a voice dial feature, you can make calls using your voice too.

What makes the S1 stand out from their previous models is this - thanks to multipoint technology, two people can have their phones connected to the S1 at the same time. Both users can make calls through the S1, and if either phone rings the call automatically transfers to the speakerphone. Read more