While there wasn't a single breakout product this year at CES, there were plenty of things to pick from for our highlight showcase and we could have easily expanded this to about 20 products. Some items you might expect to see here may not have been included if it was announced at SEMA or at a previous CES (and is just now shipping to dealers).
Along with traditional car audio products we found that the industry continues to expand beyond its mainstay categories, offering more multi-functional, portable devices that can be used in and out of the car. The industry is also adapting with increasing ease to the demands placed on it by automakers with better interfaces. And the evolution of car audio has brought about some impressive new products in the core areas of the business, be it amps, wiring, signal processing or navigation.
Some products won't be available until later in the year-perfect timing for enthusiasts who want to get a new system or update their cars for summer. Big, small, mild to wild-there's something to suit every taste and level of upgrade or customization. The industry has done well to provide integration solutions as well as address the latest automotive trends. And you'll notice more than a few manufacturers are pricing their products to truly sell, making it easier (or should we say that much more tempting) to swap out some gear.
Pioneer Avic-F500BT
Combining the power of an in-dash unit with the convenience of a portable, Pioneer's "hybrid" navigation system also integrates Bluetoothenabled phones, iPods and other MP3 players to make it the hub of an entertainment system. It docks atop the dash, letting it easily integrate with existing stereos, whether they are factory or aftermarket. Among its many features (e.g., a vast Poi database, text-to-speech directions and backup camera input), its conversational commands stand out. You can access music and your phone without having to memorize preset commands. Just say, "i want to listen to u2," to play music from that group, for example.www.pioneerelectronics.com
Clarion Mind
Just as much a handheld device as an automotive gadget, Clarion's Mobile internet Navigation device (MiNd) provides connectivity and entertainment features for people on the go. it stays connected via Wi-Fi and perhaps by the time it launches it will offer a truly mobile connection through WiMAX or 3g technologies. users can then browse the internet using its full-page touchscreen. You can also use it as an e-mail reader, office viewer, instant messenger and more. of course, docked on the dash, the device can be used simply as a navigation unit and hands-free phone kit. But why would you want to use it for just that?www.clarion.com
Dash
The dash Express navigation device made a splash at last year's CES, but now it's out of the testing stage and hitting the market. What makes the dash Express different from other navs is its 2-way internet connectivity, as well as the company website's user-generated information. Every dash Express sends back a signal to HQ's server on traffic and HQ then sends that to every dash user, which results in highly accurate traffic data-even on surface streets. Also, the internet-based dash Poi setup blows every other Poi database away. Maps and software automatically update and dash accesses internet sources to let you navigate to pretty much anywhere you want. You can also personalize searches and send destinations to the unit from your computer!www.dash.net