Roger Fingas
Pioneer has launched two new CarPlay-compatible receiver units, both of them including a rare feature in the CarPlay world: wireless compatibility.
The AVH-W4400NEX has a 7-inch resistive touchscreen, and features like Bluetooth, SiriusXM, two USB ports, and SD card support. A CD/DVD drive is also present for people using physical media.
The AVH-W8400NEX is largely identical, the major addition being a capactive touchscreen. Whereas resistive screens detect pressure, capacitive ones use only the electrical signal from a human finger, making them more responsive. The latter technology is used on most smartphones and tablets, such as Apple's iPhone and iPad.
The W8400NEX.Pioneer is selling the W4400NEX through retailers like Crutchfield for $699.99. The W8400NEX is $1,199.99.
Wireless CarPlay has been extremely rare so far, the first aftermarket option being the Alpine iLX-107, released just last June. BMW was the first automaker to offer native wireless though, beginning in 2016.
Most CarPlay-compatible cars and receivers still force users to connect an iPhone via a Lightning cable. Indeed Pioneer's new receivers still have a wired option.
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25 Comments
Do they have built in support for a back up camera installation?
If many brands cars have built-in support for Wifi, Bluetooth and USB Carplay than why holding back supporting wireless carplay ?
I have the Alpine iLX-107 in my wife's car. It is awesome, and Wireless CarPlay is what all CarPlay should be! What puzzles me here is that the Alpine unit with wireless CarPlay has been out a year, has a capacitive touch screen, and cost around $700. Pioneer's equivalent is starting around $1,200, and boasts a bunch of technology that is completely obviated by CarPlay (SD, CD/DVD, SiriusXM). How many people are going to see $500 in value from the inclusion of the old tech?
I can see this into turning: "Please reactivate service. Find neares WiFi connection" in the middle of nowhere because Apple foiund that car is too far from where it was registered so it must be stolen. Just like with iPhone roaming use in one of networks overseas.