Two more aftermarket receiver makers, Kenwood and JVC, have announced dash units compatible with Apple's CarPlay platform.
Kenwood is doubling its number of CarPlay-ready receivers from four to eight. The company was quiet on details, including prices and release dates, but did say that the new units would be "topline" models under both its regular and eXcelon brands.
JVC, a new entry into the CarPlay world, is preparing the KW-V820BT. Described as the company's flagship receiver, the unit has a 4x50W MOSFET amplifier, SiriusXM compatibility, twin USB ports, three sets of 4-volt RCA outputs, a rear camera input, and a secondary A/V input. Dual-zone functions should let it connect to rear-seat displays.
Its main screen measures 6.8 inches, but unusually relies on resistive touch technology, instead of the more sensitive capacitive technology found on other companies' high-end receivers and the iPhone itself.
Drivers can also play FLAC and WAV files in qualities up to 24-bit/192 kilohertz, and when not using CarPlay, there are built-in apps for Pandora and Spotify. Apple Music subscribers will be able to access saved songs, playlists, and stations.
As with the Kenwood gear, pricing and a launch window for the V820BT are unknown.
JVC is the second new aftermarket CarPlay partner after Harman, which announced the JBL Legend CP100 earlier during CES. Until this week, the only companies providing CarPlay receivers were Alpine, Kenwood, and Pioneer.