Now a Tablet Controls Your Car Radio

Why was a tablet installed in front of an in-dash  car radio in the videos below?

Here’s why. Since late last year,  more car radios are offering a unique relationship with a smartphone or tablet—and it’s NOT about the car radio  controlling the handheld.

 It’s the opposite.  

The phone/tablet becomes a remote control for the radio.   And this is leading to some interesting installations that pair a car radio with an iPad, iPad mini or Android tablet.

Sony, Scosche and Boss Audio are some of the radio makers who offer the feature. You can see two Sony/iPad installs in the videos above and below.
The tablet becomes the controller for the car radio behind it. And because the Sony radio comes with an app, the tablet interface switches to a large screen for the radio. If you want to change radio stations just tap on the large icon of the radio station, or change CD tracks for the CD player behind the screen. You also get steering wheel control of your music. Another benefit of the tablet is you get a large touch screen view of Google Maps.

It takes a bit of installer talent to install a slide out bezel for the tablet in the dash as you can see in the videos.

Sony calls this feature App Remote, which is found on a number of Sony decks.  It includes other features as well such as allowing text to be read aloud to the driver (when used with Android devices).

Scosche’s $139.99 ControlFreq car radio offers two way smartphone/tablet control, as well. The CD/radio includes Bluetooth with audio streaming. You get remote control over the radio up to 33 feet away. Like the Sony system, a tablet or a phone can control the radio, so you can place your phone in a window-mount or dash mount holder and use the phone screen to control the radio. Or you can stand outside the car and change radio stations at a tailgate party.

Boss Audio plans to introduce a Model 635UAB CD-less radio this June with the feature.  The Boss model will include an AM/FM receiver, Bluetooth, USB and SD card plus front aux input Boss also plans a marine audio version of the deck, model 1350.

Source: CEoutlook

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