Roger Fingas
Expanding CarPlay's so-far limited number of aftermarket upgrade options, Sony has announced the XAV-AX100, its first receiver to support the Apple platform.
The device will sport a 6.4-inch, 800-by-480 touchscreen, and include Bluetooth and USB connections, Sony said. The company is also promising features like 55 watts of output, a 10-band graphic equalizer, rear camera support, and the ability to connect external amplifiers for more complex audio setups.
Like many CarPlay-ready devices, the device will also support Google's Android Auto. In either case people should be able to trigger voice commands with a button.
Sony is targeting a late November launch in North America, at a cost of $499.99.
That pricetag may be one of the more important aspects of the AX100, since other CarPlay-compatible receivers often cost $100 or more extra, especially for models that don't use a resistive touch interface.
Wesley Hilliard
Christine McKee
Marko Zivkovic
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Andrew O'Hara
20 Comments
Why do they have to look so.... pedestrian... Does Sony have no design chops left in it?
Do you want chrome fins or spinners or something?
It supports droid also. So what's the big deal?
why is this news?
One of the interesting things here is that with Carplay, these head units really have very little to them, a screen and ports. CD drive etc. The Alpine in this category is a very shallow unit. Similar chinese devices that don't support Carplay are sub $100.
Question will be if it supports wireless carplay - so far neither Alpine or Pioneer do that.
Also seems like a 7" screen, Alpine 007, is a bit nicer than a this 6.3".