Alpine, Clarion, Harman, JVC Kenwood, Parrot and Pioneer are among the aftermarket companies that have joined the Android Auto alliance signalling an interest in the just-announced Android-for-car platform.
Android Auto is Google’s version of Apple’s CarPlay, projecting Android onto the car radio screen and letting you control Android features through voice, touch screen and steeering wheel controls. It was introduced on Wednesday.
Alpine said in a statement, “Not only will Android Auto connectivity with our products increase customer value, but we also believe this will contribute to driver safety. Alpine is excited about the potential developing Android products for both the aftermarket and working with Automotive manufacturers for OEM products,” according to Hirofumi Morioka, Managing Director, Engineering & Development, Alpine Electronics
Pioneer said, “As a leader in automotive infotainment Pioneer is delighted to become a member of the Open Automotive Alliance [the formal name for the Android Auto alliance]. We … believe that the technology being developed within the alliance will… allow us to continue to innovate within this exciting market,” in the words of Takashige Nakano, Senior Executive Officer of Pioneer.
On the US-side Pioneer’s Ted Cardenas said “At this time, as we have just joined the Open Automotive Alliance and only now are beginning to study; we cannot say when Android Auto may be coming to either OE products developed by Pioneer or aftermarket products developed by Pioneer.”
Alpine in the US said it had nothing further to add at this point, according to a spokeswoman.
You can see the full list of the members of the Open Automotive Alliance supporting Android Auto here: http://www.openautoalliance.net/#press
Car makers are already beginning to announce delivery of Android Auto.
Honda said it will offer select models with Android Auto in 2015. The system will work with a USB cable that plugs into the car radio and then “projects” the Android phone “experience” onto the car radio display.
Audi will offer Android Auto in its all-new cars that launch in 2015 using the company’s MMI infotainment system.
Hyundai said it will offer Android Auto in the 2015 model year in select car models.
Volvo will include Android Auto on all of its new cars that are based on the new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), starting with the all-new XC90, due to be revealed at this year’s Paris Motor Show. Volvo cars will also include Apple’s CarPlay. Honda and Hyundai are also offering CarPlay.
General Motors has also reportedly committed to offering Android Auto.
http://www.ceoutlook.com/2014/06/26/pioneer-alpine-and-others-join-android-auto-alliance/
Think I'm gonna start saving. Hopefully they don't take too long in coming out with a decent double din
