Alpine introduced its first radio to work with an iDatalink Maestro module so it can seamlessly replace a Ford SYNC radio while retaining key factory features.
Alpine now becomes the third supplier to announce a product that works with iDatalink modules for easy integration into certain cars, joining Kenwood, which has been marketing them for two years and Pioneer which announced a line of iDatalink ready products Monday.
With iDatalink capability, the new Alpine INE-W957HD AV/navigation deck can replace a factory Ford radio but keep the heating/cooling controls. It also gives you control over factory rear seat entertainment systems, SiriusXM and steering wheel control. The system also lets you add a front and rear camera (optional).
The INE-W957HD is also Alpine’s first radio with an HDMI input and MHL capability. The system gives you mirroring of apps from the phone to the car radio screen. It works with Apple and Android devices. Control over mirrored apps are from the phones themselves not the radio.
Through a dual zone set up, kids in the back can watch video from a phone or tablet connected to the radio via HDMI. The radio sends the signal through the car audio system to the rear seat screens.
Also, the new deck offers TuneIt 2.0 so you can audio tune your stereo system by using an app on your smartphone. Users can set features like crossover, time correction and parametric EQ. With the new 2.0 version of TuneIt (version 1.0 was introduced last year), you get text to speech notification of Facebook activity.
Also there is more specific tuning under the new TuneIt 2.0, so you can get audio settings for more vehicles and you can now specify which Alpine speakers and subwoofers you’ve installed for even more optimized tuning.
The new INE-W957HD has a 7-inch screen and a new improved button layout. It has Bluetooth with audio streaming, HD Radio, Pandora control from iPhone and Android phones, Made for iPod and iPhone compatibility and SiriusXM compatibility.
Shipping is expected in May at an estimated $1,500.
Alpine is expected to offer HDML/MHL on other car radios to be introduced during CES this week.
Source: Alpine
