Clarion introduced Monday a windshield mounted tablet-like device that can control apps on your iPhone.
Called the Next GATE, it has a 7-inch screen and it acts an in-car (transportable) iPhone controller for key apps including Pandora, TuneIn, Vlingo, INRIX Traffic and Infogation. More apps will be added in the future.
The device uses the phone’s connection to the Internet but will also have a Cloud connection to a new Clarion service that will permit updates to the device, including adding apps. It’s also Bluetooth enabled for handsfree calling.
“The Next GATE will revolutionize the way people communicate and access information in the vehicle via their iPhone in an intuitive and user-friendly way, keeping their focus on driving,” said Clarion Corp. of America President Paul Lachner.
It will be available June 1 at a suggested $269 at Crutchfield, Amazon and other national retailers to be announced.
Features include a microSD slot, a built-in speaker, suction mount, auxiliary audio output, built in microphone, external microphone and WVGA touch panel.
Among the compatible apps for Next GATE, TuneIn gives you access to 50,000 live, local and global stations. Vlingo is a voice recognition app which provides speech to text for connecting to email and social media while behind the wheel. INRIX is a leading traffic app, Infogration provides turn-by-turn navigation and Pandora is personalized radio.
Clarion also announced a Cloud service to be offered starting in June that will work with many of Clarion’s future aftermarket navigation and other products. The service links to your smartphone to provide telematics functions including car maintenance and security.
Source: Clarion
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