Roger Fingas
Harman at CES announced the JBL Legend CP100, its first receiver to support Apple's CarPlay standard, and the first such upgrade beyond a so-far limited number of aftermarket CarPlay partners.
The CP100 sports a 6.75-inch capacitive touchscreen, and offers not only touch and steering wheel interaction but its own "push to talk" button as a backup for triggering Siri. Similar functions are available for Google's Android Auto.
The hardware is otherwise deliberately basic, with features like a single rear USB input, Bluetooth 3.0, AM/FM functions, two pre-amp outputs, and a rear camera input.
The CP100 has yet to receive a release date, but will cost $399.95, making it one of the least expensive CarPlay upgrade options. Some alternatives can easily cost several hundred dollars more, or well over $1,000 for high-end receivers.
Until now aftermarket CarPlay partners have included only Alpine, Kenwood, and Pioneer. Indeed, even automakers only began seriously supporting the platform last year with their first 2016 models. More companies should join the fray in the near future, including Ford but not Toyota.
Christine McKee
Charles Martin
Mike Wuerthele
Marko Zivkovic
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
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15 Comments
whaaaa.... this is what i've been waiting for! $299 seems more reasonable to be, but i might take this one over pioneer's ever so confusing line of carplay models.
Bluetooth "3.0"?
This could be what I've been waiting for. I have a 2015 Subaru Forester XT Touring that includes a Harmon-Kardon upgraded sound system. Up until now I have been afraid to mess with it, but with Harmon's own head unit, I may finally do it. Subaru would be smart to offer the upgrade at their dealerships.