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Sunday, November 13, 2011
Parrot ASTEROID
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Just announced, the AppRadio from Pioneer rethinks in-vehicle connectivity and provides a revolutionary way to use APPS on the road.
Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., the leader in aftermarket car electronics technology, has unveiled its latest innovation, the game-changing AppRadio™. Drawing upon Pioneer’s technology integration expertise and following its “Rethinking Connectivity” strategy, AppRadio is the first in-vehicle product designed to utilize the processing power, storage capacity, network connectivity and apps of the iPhone and iPod touch (4th generation) as the primary source for its information and entertainment capabilities. Pioneer’s AppRadio also features the industry’s first capacitive touchscreen that enables control of most functions using similar touch and motion gestures as many of today’s most popular smartphones, but in a larger 6.1-inch screen designed specifically for safer in-vehicle operation. For safety and convenience, AppRadio features built-in Bluetooth¹ for hands-free calling and an input for an optional vehicle mounted rear facing back-up camera.
The power of AppRadio comes from the ability to simply and easily update its software, similar to many of today’s most powerful mobile devices. The front of the unit features a clean and simple aesthetic with only three physical buttons; a home button, a volume up button and a volume down button combined with a high resolution WVGA (800 x 480) 6.1-inch capacitive touchscreen display. This capacitive touch panel requires less pressure, responds faster and can recognize multiple touch points simultaneously, advantages when compared to traditional resistive touchscreen displays. Touchscreen control is used for all functions including the app interface, iPod control/playback, AM/FM radio, and Bluetooth hands-free calling features.
Pioneer Centric Apps
When connected to an iPhone and iPod touch (4th generation) with the Pioneer AppRadio application and compatible third-party apps, the full potential of the AppRadio is unleashed, bringing an ever-expanding world of convenience and connectivity directly into the dash. The Pioneer AppRadio application, available free in the App Store, enables access to the data and connectivity of the iPhone 4, providing users the ability to access Google Maps and stay current with recommended compatible third-party apps.
Google Maps appears on the AppRadio screen with the same mapping information and features that consumers are familiar with. The system enables users to search, route to locations, view route directions and create bookmarks with the ability to drop pins directly on the map.
Pioneer has initially partnered with several app providers to integrate AppRadio compatibility into a few of today’s most popular apps, formatted specifically for safe use and access in the vehicle. AppRadio compatible apps are now available including INRIX, MotionX-GPS Drive, Rdio, and Pandora Radio.
With the vehicle parked and the parking brake fully engaged, additional apps featuring second screen video output can be viewed on the AppRadio screen.
Access to the Future
As the library of AppRadio compatible applications grows, users will be automatically notified via Pioneer’s AppRadio iPhone application, with a link to the respective app(s) page within the App Store. Additionally, the AppRadio software itself is updatable offering the potential for future hardware, software and app compatibility changes.
Music and Communication
AppRadio continues Pioneer’s strong audio heritage, with a built-in AM/FM tuner with RDS text information display (when available) and full iPod audio control/playback. Pioneer employs Apple’s iPod Out feature enabling the AppRadio system to display the familiar iPod navigation menu, displaying album art, song title and artist. This promotes a safer driving experience, as all of AppRadio’s controls have been designed specifically for in-vehicle operation. This newly developed interface technology supports iPhone 4 and iPod touch (4th generation) running iOS 4.2 or later. In addition, AppRadio enables direct access to the latest iPod functions, such as custom playlists and Genius Mixes, which let users automatically create playlists of music with similarities from their music library.
Safe, in-vehicle phone functionality is simple with built-in Bluetooth, enabling hands-free cellular phone operation using the car’s speakers and the included external microphone to turn the car into a rolling speakerphone. Access to the user’s phonebook is provided via Bluetooth phonebook transfer, with browsing and searching available by touchscreen controls.
The AppRadio includes a 30-pin connector, external GPS antenna, external microphone for hands-free calling and input/output connections to support the addition of an optional rear view camera, wired remote steering wheel control adapter and an external amplifier via one set of preamp outputs.
Pioneer’s AppRadio is available with a suggested retail price below $500.
The Pioneer AppRadio App is available now from the App Store for the iPhone 4 and iPod touch (4th generation) or at www.apple.com/itunes/.
Pioneer’s Car Electronics Division is known for offering the kind of in-car products that make driving more enjoyable by offering high quality audio and video, seamless connectivity and ease-of-use. Its focus is on the development of new digital technologies including audio video, navigation and emerging media, while maintaining its strong heritage in products for car audio enthusiasts and sound competitors.
For more information about Pioneer visit http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/ or to see more FitFotos visit http://fitfotos.pioneerelectronics.com/.
Friday, August 27, 2010
AMMERCH.COM
Check out the companies great new site. Monthly specials, up to date pricing, rebates...the works! ---AMMERCH.COM call or email the1rep@gmail.com for log in info
Monday, August 23, 2010
Escort's Entourage CIS and PS Vehicle Security and Tracking
It looks like the LoJack Car Security System finally has some serious competition in the form of Escort's Entourage CIS and PS, featured at this year's CES show in Las Vegas.
The $399.95 Escort Entourage CIS is installed somewhere in the vehicle, but unlike like the LoJack system, which becomes a permanent part of the car, the Entourage PS can be transported from one vehicle to another. The Entourage CIS can send text messages and e-mails if it senses the vehicle has moved while the owner and the special key fob are away. Should that happen, the optional GPS security system automatically activates and the owner will get a phone call from Escort. Besides theft-prevention, the technology can also help you track the vehicle's location and, as CNet.com notes, track teen drivers and let them know when they are driving too fast or that they're simply out too late.
Unlike the Entourage CIS, the Entourage PS is portable. The unit can be hidden in a number of different vehicle locations and will still receive a signal that can be sent to your smartphone or computer. While the Entourage PS is $50 cheaper, it does need to be charged about once a week. As with the CIS model, the PS can send text messages and e-mails as often as the owner wishes.
The portability of the PS is a big plus, but what sets back both of these Entourage products is the required subscription fee. The Blackline GPS used for the Entourage CIS and PS is $179.95 a year. The police-operated LoJack, in contrast, requires a onetime charge of about $600-700 depending on the installer, but no monthly fees. Regardless, it's clear that vehicle owners hoping to track their vehicle or recover it after a theft have more choices than ever before.
Source: CNet.com, Escort
Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/6628299/technology/lojack-alternative-escort-unveils-antitheft-and-tracking-devices-at-ces-show/index.html#ixzz0xSI1A54r
The $399.95 Escort Entourage CIS is installed somewhere in the vehicle, but unlike like the LoJack system, which becomes a permanent part of the car, the Entourage PS can be transported from one vehicle to another. The Entourage CIS can send text messages and e-mails if it senses the vehicle has moved while the owner and the special key fob are away. Should that happen, the optional GPS security system automatically activates and the owner will get a phone call from Escort. Besides theft-prevention, the technology can also help you track the vehicle's location and, as CNet.com notes, track teen drivers and let them know when they are driving too fast or that they're simply out too late.
Unlike the Entourage CIS, the Entourage PS is portable. The unit can be hidden in a number of different vehicle locations and will still receive a signal that can be sent to your smartphone or computer. While the Entourage PS is $50 cheaper, it does need to be charged about once a week. As with the CIS model, the PS can send text messages and e-mails as often as the owner wishes.
The portability of the PS is a big plus, but what sets back both of these Entourage products is the required subscription fee. The Blackline GPS used for the Entourage CIS and PS is $179.95 a year. The police-operated LoJack, in contrast, requires a onetime charge of about $600-700 depending on the installer, but no monthly fees. Regardless, it's clear that vehicle owners hoping to track their vehicle or recover it after a theft have more choices than ever before.
Source: CNet.com, Escort
Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/6628299/technology/lojack-alternative-escort-unveils-antitheft-and-tracking-devices-at-ces-show/index.html#ixzz0xSI1A54r
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Soundstream Stealth 13
Soundstream Stealth 13
Performance Evaluations
Before I test any woofer, I put it through a breakin or exercise period. (You don’t need to break-in a woofer when you buy it, a few days of listening to it will do the same thing. I simply break-in all loudspeakers before doing critical listening or measurements, just for consistency and accuracy in the information). I usually apply a 20Hz sine wave signal to the woofer at a level of about 25% of rated power, for a period of about 4 hours, with the woofer in a free air state. This process allows the mechanical elements of the drivers suspension to loosen up and normalize. After break-in, the woofer is allowed to cool for at least 4 hours before doing any further testing. In the case of the Soundstream Stealth 13, I let it sit overnight and then made all of the small signal parameter measurements first thing the following morning. As the owner’s manual made very clear, the specifications make the woofer ideally suited to sealed enclosures only… don’t even bother trying to come up with a vented design. Yes, port heads… I’m talking to you! Don’t do it!
Once those were completed, I mounted it in the optimum recommended enclosure, a 0.75 cubic
foot sealed box and took it into my listening room. With the woofer connected to my reference system, and the low pass crossover adjusted to about 80Hz, I began to evaluate the sound and power handling of the Soundstream Stealth 13. Because I have tested quite a few of these shallow designs, and because of the very reasonable price of the Soundstream woofer, I had relatively lower expectations. I have become used to accepting some performance tradeoffs for the convenience of a shallow woofer, but the Soundstream Stealth 13 has really raised the
bar for what I expect from a moderately priced shallow subwoofer! As usual, I ran the gamut of musical genres during the evaluation, and the Soundstream Stealth 13 couldn’t have cared less whether I played Bach or ZZ Top. The sound from the Soundstream subwoofer was much better than expected in this price range, with pretty decent low extension and nice warm “round” sounding bass. Definition and clarity were good as well, plucked strings and acoustic bass were well reproduced and sounded quite natural, with only a tiny bit of ringing or boominess,
which many people seem to prefer anyway! As is always the case, lower F3 and improved damping can be had with a larger enclosure, but you trade off output and power handling, which is never a good thing in a car. I’d trust the Soundstream recommendations on this one, unless you are very experienced with custom enclosure design. To test the woofers ability to handle power mechanically, I deliberately picked a couple of fairly abusive “Bass Mekanik”
tracks, and applied well over the rated 200 watts of power. Not until I got to over 400 watts did the Soundstream Stealth 13 woofer even show any sign of stress, so if you use it as as rated, it should be as reliable as a stone.
One of the best ways of summing up the performance of this woofer was a comment from a friend who happened to drop by during my listening test. He said, “Wow, that’s pretty impressive bass from a single woofer in such a small box.” Even more impressive… at the time, he had no idea the woofer was only 2 inches deep, and thought it was a conventional woofer design. On the bench the Soundstream Stealth 13 measured about the way it sounded… which was quite great! . My measurements were quite close to the published specs, which is another
good indication of a properly developed product.
Conclusion
If you have an application for a very shallow woofer and a relatively small
enclosure limitation, you’d be seriously amiss not to have a close look at the
Soundstream Stealth 13. Yes, there are better performing woofers, for either
more money or for much larger boxes, but there aren’t very many that will
outperform the Stealth 13 for the same money in a small sealed box. I’d love
to hear a pair of these in a standard cab pickup… Boom Yeah!
Performance Evaluations
Before I test any woofer, I put it through a breakin or exercise period. (You don’t need to break-in a woofer when you buy it, a few days of listening to it will do the same thing. I simply break-in all loudspeakers before doing critical listening or measurements, just for consistency and accuracy in the information). I usually apply a 20Hz sine wave signal to the woofer at a level of about 25% of rated power, for a period of about 4 hours, with the woofer in a free air state. This process allows the mechanical elements of the drivers suspension to loosen up and normalize. After break-in, the woofer is allowed to cool for at least 4 hours before doing any further testing. In the case of the Soundstream Stealth 13, I let it sit overnight and then made all of the small signal parameter measurements first thing the following morning. As the owner’s manual made very clear, the specifications make the woofer ideally suited to sealed enclosures only… don’t even bother trying to come up with a vented design. Yes, port heads… I’m talking to you! Don’t do it!
Once those were completed, I mounted it in the optimum recommended enclosure, a 0.75 cubic
foot sealed box and took it into my listening room. With the woofer connected to my reference system, and the low pass crossover adjusted to about 80Hz, I began to evaluate the sound and power handling of the Soundstream Stealth 13. Because I have tested quite a few of these shallow designs, and because of the very reasonable price of the Soundstream woofer, I had relatively lower expectations. I have become used to accepting some performance tradeoffs for the convenience of a shallow woofer, but the Soundstream Stealth 13 has really raised the
bar for what I expect from a moderately priced shallow subwoofer! As usual, I ran the gamut of musical genres during the evaluation, and the Soundstream Stealth 13 couldn’t have cared less whether I played Bach or ZZ Top. The sound from the Soundstream subwoofer was much better than expected in this price range, with pretty decent low extension and nice warm “round” sounding bass. Definition and clarity were good as well, plucked strings and acoustic bass were well reproduced and sounded quite natural, with only a tiny bit of ringing or boominess,
which many people seem to prefer anyway! As is always the case, lower F3 and improved damping can be had with a larger enclosure, but you trade off output and power handling, which is never a good thing in a car. I’d trust the Soundstream recommendations on this one, unless you are very experienced with custom enclosure design. To test the woofers ability to handle power mechanically, I deliberately picked a couple of fairly abusive “Bass Mekanik”
tracks, and applied well over the rated 200 watts of power. Not until I got to over 400 watts did the Soundstream Stealth 13 woofer even show any sign of stress, so if you use it as as rated, it should be as reliable as a stone.
One of the best ways of summing up the performance of this woofer was a comment from a friend who happened to drop by during my listening test. He said, “Wow, that’s pretty impressive bass from a single woofer in such a small box.” Even more impressive… at the time, he had no idea the woofer was only 2 inches deep, and thought it was a conventional woofer design. On the bench the Soundstream Stealth 13 measured about the way it sounded… which was quite great! . My measurements were quite close to the published specs, which is another
good indication of a properly developed product.
Conclusion
If you have an application for a very shallow woofer and a relatively small
enclosure limitation, you’d be seriously amiss not to have a close look at the
Soundstream Stealth 13. Yes, there are better performing woofers, for either
more money or for much larger boxes, but there aren’t very many that will
outperform the Stealth 13 for the same money in a small sealed box. I’d love
to hear a pair of these in a standard cab pickup… Boom Yeah!
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