Leading car stereo suppliers including Alpine and Pioneer are shipping a few 2012 low end car radios early, presumably to benefit from holiday gift giving sales.
An Alpine CDE-133BT just began reaching retailers, several retail web sites show. The CD/radio is Alpine’s first with built-in stereo (A2DP) Bluetooth for audio streaming. The unit, priced at around $160, also works with Alpine’s iPod adapter. You get front panel USB and auxiliary inputs, detachable face and a built-in 18 watt RMS amplifier. 
Two Pioneer models are hitting stores soon, say retailers, including one that is on two dealer web sites as the DEH-3400UB at $100. The basic CD/radio has front USB and auxiliary input, 50 watts peak power built-in amp and detachable face.
Source: CEoutlook
Get the news before your competitors do. CEoutlook is the daily brief read by over 6,500 dealers, reps and manufacturers across the mobile electronics industry. Subscribe free.
Yeah Ryan! But it is what it is. Nobody is listening.
By the way, take a look at the new Fusion 700 marine head unit, nominated for a DAME award in Amsterdam this week. Now that is what I call innovation. Time these guys got into the automotive market and taught their Japanese competitors what user interface is really all about.
I am surprised at the simple, no perhaps better described as crude, form of LCD display on the Pioneer and Alpine head units. Considering the phone displays we have been using for the past five years these NEW head units resemble something more akin to “steam age” technology when it comes to user interface. Am I missing something here ?
Alpine with BT only $160 ????????
Wonderful
Their first radio with A2DP? How about “Alpine 2012 Car Radios Hitting the Shelves Two Years Behind Everyone Else.”
The Alpine looks NICE!