Pioneer became the first supplier to announce just prior to CES, wireless CarPlay AND wireless Android Auto prototype radios…that also work with Google Assistant.
In fact, Google announced Monday that it is incorporating Google Assistant into Android Auto so users get superior voice control and home device control. This may explain why some top brand car audio suppliers are suddenly supporting Google Assistant.
At its booth at the Las Vegas convention center, Pioneer will show Android Auto Wireless, Google Assistant and CarPlay in the prototype double DIN, 7-inch AVIC-W8400NEX and AVH-W4400NEX.
A third prototype radio, the 6.2 inch AVIC-W6400NEX will include wireless CarPlay (but not the Google features). This product is not being officially demonstrated at the booth.
While Pioneer will be demonstrating Android Auto Wireless with Google Assistant during CES this week, it will not actually demonstrate wireless CarPlay, it said.
All the new radios are expected to be available in 2018. No pricing or shipping has been set.
Android Auto Wireless, like wireless CarPlay, automatically recognizes your phone when you enter the car so there’s no need to plug your phone into the radio with a cable.
Google Assistant lets the user converse with Google to ask questions and also control home devices. Google Assistant works with more than 1,000 smart devices from more than 150 brands.
Other product features:
- In addition to saying “Hey Google” out loud, users also have the option to access Hey Google three more ways, hitting the hard home key of the unit, tapping on the microphone of the Android Auto user interface, or tapping on the voice assistance via the steering wheel controls.
- Each unit comes with a microphone that makes it easier to pick up the commands of the driver or passenger. All Google answers are delivered through the car speakers.
- Built-in Auto EQ and Auto Time Alignment provide customized audio adjustments for the driver.
- Multi-band Graphic Equalizer with touch panel swipe setting and built-in high/low pass crossover with expanded adjustable crossover points and slopes
The products are based on a WiFi connection.
