Feature Story:
We reported that five Kenwood 2018 receivers are the first to support wireless Android Auto. In addition, Kenwood will announce later today another new Google-related feature. Kenwood announced its radios with Android Auto will now include Google Assistant.
Also new from Kenwood is a WebLink app that allows radio control of Waze, Yelp, Weather and YouTube from the car radio display.
On radios with wireless Android Auto, WebLink will be wireless, so there’s no need to plug your phone into the car radio. With other new Kenwood radios, a wired connection to a smartphone will be required. Users must download a WebLink app on their phone.
This year, also, Apple CarPlay will support Tidal music and SiriusXM, said Kenwood.
2018 Kenwood decks also now get an HD, anti-glare capacitive touch screen with more than double the pixel density of older screens. This reduces glare from the sun and reflections. Also, double DIN receivers get a 3 line display, up from 2 lines.
All 2018 receivers with Android Auto will work with Google Assistant, including the DNX995S with wireless and wired Android Auto, wired Apple CarPlay, 6.8-inch HD anti-glare screen, Garmin navigation, wired and wireless WebLink, and SD card slot. The DNX995S also has a new Weather Widget that shows current temperature, weather and 5-day forecast based on location.
A new DDX9905S also has wired and wireless Android Auto, wired Apple CarPlay, 6.8-inch HD anti-glare screen, wired and wireless WebLink and Google Assistant (but no navigation or SD card slot).
A DMX905S is similar but with a 6.95-inch screen and no CD or DVD player.
Other features of the above radios include:
- External Hard Drive Support
- Tuned audiophile components
- KENWOOD Remote App – lets users control source selection and audio adjustments from smartphone
- KENWOOD Music Mix – lets up to 5 users pay content from their phones onto the KENWOOD unit
- iDataLink compatibility – shows vehicle status information through the multimedia screen
- 3 sets of gold 5-volt pre-outs
Pricing, shipping dates and more radio specifics will be announced at CES starting Tuesday.
