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Pioneer releases Apple CarPlay for US and Europe vehicle dashboards

Pioneer has released firmware update for six in-vehicle systems in the US and Europe that will enable CarPlay today.
Written by Liam Tung, Contributing Writer
2014-10-02 01.31.40 pm
Credit: Pioneer

Pioneer has released Apple CarPlay firmware updates for five units in its NEX line as well as multiple in-dash systems for the European market.

When Apple lifted the lid on CarPlay earlier this year, the spotlight was on new vehicles from Mercedes, Ferrari and Volvo that would ship with CarPlay enabled. While dozens more manufacturers have committed to supporting CarPlay, so far only Ferrari has turned out a single vehicle with it pre-installed, launched last month. 

Just as important, if not more given that most iPhone owners are probably not in the market for a brand new vehicle from Mercedes or Audi, was the availability of CarPlay on in-car systems for vehicles already on the road.

Pioneer today announced the release of a firmware update that enables CarPlay on five NEX units, which retail in the US for between $1,400 and $700, as well as the fourth generation AppRadio 4 system, which retails for $600. Current owners of the units can install the update at no charge, said Pioneer.

The update will allow consumers with iPhone 5 or later to use Siri Eyes Free with supported touch displays.

The models that will get the update include AVIC-8000NEX, AVIC-7000NEX, AVIC-6000NEX, AVIC-5000NEX and AVH-4000NEX, as well as the AppRadio 4 SPH-DA120.

The firmware update is also being rolled out for six equivalent systems available in Europe, where the NEX brand-name isn't used.

These include the AVIC-F60DAB, AVIC-F960DAB, AVIC-F960BT, AVIC-F860BT and the AVH-X8600BT, as well as the European equivalent of the AppRadio 4 called SPH-DA120.

Both the AppRadio 4 and SPH-DA120 support CarPlay as well as Android and MirrorLink devices.

"With Pioneer's implementation, CarPlay can now be integrated into millions of vehicles already on the road," Pioneer Europe said.

Europeans with one of the supported models can get the firmware update from Pioneer's support page, which they can load on a USB device and connect to the receiver's USB input.

Alpine is also expected to release a CarPlay compatible media dashboard this year. 

Many car manufacturers are supporting Apple's in-car system as well as Google's Android efforts through the Open Automotive Alliance. Among those with a foot in both camps include Audi, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Subaru, Suzuki, and Volvo.

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