Pioneer Launches AppRadio – Aftermarket Solution To Smartphone Integration
It was only a matter of time before aftermarket car stereo companies began offering stereos capable of integration with smartphones. Pioneer is stepping up to the plate with AppRadio, a new aftermarket car stereo designed to capitalize on the increased functionality that smartphones allow.
The AppRadio, set to launch in June, will include Pandora and Rdio “on-demand” as standard apps. At this point it is unclear whether Sirius XM Internet Radio will be a feature, though many pioneer products are capable of receiving Sirius XM via satellite. The interesting dynamic here is that the aftermarket is now offering solutions for consumers who want added connectivity but are not yet ready to buy a new car.
“Pioneer is rethinking connectivity by tapping into the power of the smartphone, while simultaneously providing a solution that safely merges the consumer’s connected lifestyle into the vehicle,” said Ted Cardenas, director of marketing for the car electronics division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “AppRadio fully embraces the iPhone, which has become the window to our mobile connectivity and provides a comprehensive and safer way to use apps in the car.”
While the pioneer press release does not address Sirius XM, it is likely only a matter of time before a Sirius XM app is included in the suite of apps offered by Pioneer. The advantage to having an app in conjunction with satellite capability is that a consumer does not need to install a satellite radio antenna in order to receive Sirius Xm programming.
Smartphone integration into the dashboard is going to be huge in the next couple of years. Companies that stay up to date with this new audio entertainment movement will have some distinct advantages.
Position – Long Sirius XM Radio
sad thing is is that it’s ALWAYS A “MATTER OF TIME” before Sirius gets serious. Step behind all along the way
@Thimmay
Don’t know if you’re trying to be funny, but that is funny.
Anyways, how does Pandora and these others always beat Sirius to the punch? It always seems like Sirius is just following and not leading. Seems “A matter of Time” is the cliche with Sirius.
At a point in the future, it’ll be “no more time”.
Here’s the question you need to ask. Why would I ask a consumer, pay whatever this cost, say $100 bucks minimum so that I can get advertisement internet radio? So that I can get “customization”? I can just use the already included FM radio to listen to the same garbage with ads, minus the customization. And I don’t agree with “Smartphone integration into the dashboard is going to be huge in the next couple of years.” When your driving, you don’t have time to play with your apps. Maybe some Nav type apps like find a restaurant near by or gas station, but anything else is really dreaming. I don’t believe ppl will pay a premium for apps when its tough to use as you drive.
As for internet radio or ipod integration, internet radio costs money in data fees on ur cell phone & requires your phone to be plugged into a power source. Imagine every single time you get in your car to have to plug that dam phone in or it will die. Its a nuisiance. And streaming over bluetooth also kills you battery.
Lastly, the iPod integration would make the most sense as a value add for consumers. Why? NO commercials. And you already have what you like. Changing tunes via ur car is an awesome idea. Additionally, streaming via iPod touch, which has a very long battery life compared to cell phones, is not that bad. You can get in a few hours worth without charging. Try that with your smart phone, while its downloading emails, talking, etc.
Interesting thoughts, but a bit old school.
The stereo will be less than $500 and includes apps that play music as well as navigation.
-Pandora plays far fewer ads than terrestrial radio
– Customization is what drives people to Pandora and why Sirius XM is looking into Pandora-like features themselves.
– The stereo integrates with an iPhone
– how is the music on FM and Pandora garbage and the music on Sirius XM not garbage? They play the same music.
– I just spent three days at the New York auto show talking to dozens of manufacturers. They are all going the direction of offering integration with smartphones. Most manufacturers already offer apps that let you unlock your car, start it, etc from your phone.
– The apps are not like games on your iPod. These apps are simply software that controls the service. It is as easy as using your voice. Watch this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
-Cars will allow control of services like pandora, Sirius XM, and even navigation from your phone. App based dashboards are indeed the future.
– The data fees argument is tired and old. The facts about data usage are quite clear. The only people who use this argument now are people desperate to discredit what the future holds.
– I stream my phone into my car stereo all of the time. In fact, my car has a dock for my phone. Even if I do not dock it the battery usage is not that bad.
– iPod integration is around already and has been for some time. I also use my iPod in my car via a skydock. I love it, but do not discover new music this way. Perhaps with the Cloud based subscription service I will be able to discover music via my iPod.
– My smartphone gets emails and texts while i talk. It is not an issue.
I think you are being very short sighted here.
Spencer, thanks for adding that sync demo, the only problem for me is that I will now have to change my band name, we can no longer use the name “user device” thinking of changing our name to “play artist.” LOL…bing…laughing out loud! Apps are indeed the future, hoping that the increased compression overtime doesn’t degrade the dynamic range, which is not a big deal to the majority of listeners, but it drives me crazy.
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I agree Rockstar.
Exactly what I was trying to say but apparently, I make no sense. People who prefer Pandora over Sirius are people who are money starved. They prefer Pandora because its free and so, they will just deal with the commercials.
Please, if FREE was such as good deal, then you would see MASSIVE defections from Sirius to this oh so great alternative Panhora. And there are many internet radio alternatives that have not killed off Sirius. And, Pandora has been around for 10yrs. Spencer, do you recall Immemb? They were big and died off because, well free doesn’t pay the bills. Pandora will die off as well.
The fact is, Sirius is growing albeit not at the rate of the “free” alternative. BUT, if you want to stick Pandora in your car you will have to pay data rates + a smartphone + this inexpensive $500 radio. Plz. I can afford All of the Above. However, how many Americans will be willing to do this ridiculous setup to get “customizable” radio for “free” when it cost more to setups than a 1-yr subscription @ 13/month with Sirius.
Its simple economics. Ex. Facebook has 500M users because its free. Put a price point on it and see how many stay. Put SiriusXM at free and you’ll probably see 100M users. Pandora will not survive. They are head for bankruptcy.
Who needs Pandora when you have Slacker? Slacker supports station caching and doesn’t require a data plan at all. You can load the app onto an iPod touch and refresh your stations when your wifi $0 data plan.
Face it, the internet is the future and the only thing that is holding Sirius together is Stern. Once he is gone the company will go bankrupt. Why would I pay over $15.00 a month to hear the same songs I can here on Slacker for only $4.00 a month and not to mention a much larger selection of songs.
I personally can’t wait for this radio to come out. Lack of Integration of things like Slacker into my dash is the only reason I still have a Sirius subscription.