Pioneer began shipping the AppRadio 3 last week, noting it expects this latest version of the smartphone-centric radio to see better sales over past generations.
Pioneer’s Ted Cardenas said, “We expect to expand our distribution with AppRadio3. By adding MirrorLink and CD/DVD playback, we think that will help distribution. …We will be able to convert more of the consumer awareness to actual sales.”
AppRadio already has strong consumer awareness, he said, noting that the average visit on AppRadio web pages is over 3 minutes. For other products, it’s typically in the 30-second range.
The new AppRadio 3 comes in two versions. The top end SPH-DA210 is the first AppRadio to include a CD/DVD player. It’s joined by the SPH-DA110 (without CD/DVD). They are the first Pioneer radios to offer MirrorLink display and control of certain Android radios (showing a mirror image on the radio of what’s on the phone screen).
Both models are also the first in the AppRadio series to provide audio streaming over Bluetooth. They also offer Siri Eyes Free and Google Voice Recognition.
Currently the AppRadio works with 40 apps for iOS devices and 20 apps for Android devices.
The SPH-DA110 and SPH-DA210 carry suggested prices of $399 and $499 respectively.
The devices act as a car stereo dock for an iPhone or Android phone with display and control of phone apps.
Source: CEoutlook
