Pioneer1If you’re in a house divided between Android and iOS and you share a car that’s divided between Android and iOS than pay attention, Pioneer may have just introduced a head unit, or three, that are perfect for you.

Pioneer introduced the second generation Networked Entertainment eXperience (NEX) in-dash receivers for 2015.  Consisting of the AVIC-8100NEX, AVIC-7100NEX, AVIC-6100NEX, AVIC-5100NEX and AVH-4100NEX, the latest NEX models feature expanded smartphone connectivity and enhanced audio/video capabilities. All of the new NEX head units feature Apple’s Car Play, three of them also feature Android Auto which expands Android to the car’s infotainment system in a way that is purpose built for driving.

The NEX models also include Pioneer’s AppRadio® Mode, advanced Bluetooth®1 capabilities, MirrorLink® compatibility, Pandora® internet radio, SiriusXM-Ready™, iDatalink® Maestro™ support, and FLAC file playback.

“The smartphone has become a ubiquitous, mainstream communication device for the majority of our consumers.  The leading mobile providers have developed automotive-specific user interfaces that expand the consumer’s smartphone capabilities into the car environment,” said Ted Cardenas, vice president of marketing for the Car Electronics Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “We are proud to be one of the first manufacturers to implement these new smartphone integrations into our line of aftermarket in-dash receivers, providing many consumers the opportunity to update their existing vehicles with the latest smartphone connectivity service of their choice.”

ioneer’s second generation NEX receivers offer an unprecedented level of connectivity, convenience and audio/video features including:

 

  • Android Auto (AVIC-8100NEX, AVIC-7100NEX, and AVH-4100NEX)

Three of the five NEX models feature Android Auto integration, allowing consumers to quickly connect their compatible smartphones to extend the Android platform into the car in a way that’s purpose-built for driving.  Designed with safety in mind, Android Auto utilizes a simple and intuitive interface to provide navigation, communications, music and more combined with powerful new voice actions for minimized distraction, so users stay focused on the road.

 

  • Apple CarPlay (all models)

Pioneer’s CarPlay-compatible NEX in-dash receivers offer consumers the ability to upgrade the vehicles they already own to the smarter, safer and more fun way to use iPhone® in the car. Consumers with the latest version of iOS on their iPhone 5 or later, including iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6, can use Siri® voice control to make and receive calls, compose and respond to text messages, access Apple Maps for navigation, and listen to their music, podcasts,  iTunes Radio.

 

  • Touch Panel Displays Optimized for Smartphone Integration (all models)

The flagship AVIC-8100NEX offers a capacitive WVGA touchscreen display, and the remaining models feature a new clear resistive WVGA touch panel that provides brighter, more vibrant colors and increased touch sensitivity, making it more responsive than traditional resistive touch panels.  The NEX line-up features both 7-inch (AVIC-8100NEX, AVIC-7100NEX and AVH-4100NEX) and 6.2-inch (AVIC-6100NEX and AVIC-5100NEX) display sizes.

 

  • SiriusXM-Ready (all models)

For audio-entertainment enjoyment anytime, anywhere, all NEX receivers are SiriusXM-Ready for SiriusXM’s commercial-free music, plus premier sports and live events, comedy, news, exclusive talk and entertainment.  SiriusXM programming is received through the new SiriusXM SXV300 Connect Vehicle Tuner (sold separately, SiriusXM subscription required) which features TuneMix™, SportsFlash™ and Traffic & Weather Now™.

    • TuneMix: TuneMix plays a unique blend of songs from the user’s favorite music channels from their current SiriusXM Preset Band.
    • Traffic & Weather Now: Keeps users moving with the most current traffic and weather updates.  A push of the Traffic & Weather Now button toggles between the latest report and the current channel.
    • SportsFlash: Allows listeners to keep up with the big plays of their favorite teams.

 

  • Advanced Bluetooth Capability (all models)

To maximize the connectivity options and call quality for hands-free communication and wireless audio streaming available in today’s most popular smartphones, each NEX receiver features Bluetooth AVRCP 1.4 to provide browsing capability of a user’s media library and HFP 1.6 with wideband audio for clearer overall sound quality, making it easier to recognize and understand voices during calls.

 

  • HD Radio™ Technology (all models except AVIC-5100NEX)

For high quality audio broadcasts, built-in HD Radio Technology provides clear digital reception of HD Radio broadcasts from radio stations around the country.  In addition to great audio quality, with the HD Radio Artist Experience®, additional information such as the artist, song title, album art, station logos and other broadcast related graphics can be viewed on each compatible model’s touchscreen display (when available).

 

  • FLAC playback capability (all models)

The consumer’s love of high-res audio does not need to stop at the front door.  The NEX models enable them to enjoy FLAC files in the vehicle without the need for conversion.  Pioneer’s NEX in-dash receivers are the first in the industry to offer playback of files encoded as high-res FLAC up to 192kHz/24 bit and provide playback output at CD quality.

The AVIC-8100NEX ($1,400 SRP), AVIC-7100NEX ($1,200 SRP), AVIC-6100NEX ($900 SRP), AVIC-5100NEX ($750 SRP) and AVH-4100NEX ($700 SRP) will be available in March 2015.