Sony Head unit lets you use your Android phone as a car radio

[Mad1723]

Hey guys,

I was looking into replacing my 2013 Pioneer head unit with my Nexus 7 eventually, but this head unit from Sony, shown at CES, will let you use your phone as a car unit.

Have a look here with a video walkthrough and some explanation.

Release in may, for 250$

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/01...nt-car-stereo/

[SirBrass]

I wonder what the audio processing quality will be like. For $250, I doubt it'll handle audio as well as the 701HD and its older brothers.

[phanguy]

that's actually a really good price. but i'm happy with my nexus 7 because whenever i feel like it i can just pop it out and continue using it as a tablet. also with this unit you would have to dock your phone. i love the fact that my phone stays in my pocket yet i can send/receive all calls and texts on the tablet. it's just one step closer to being able to get in and out of my car without removing anything from my pockets :P

[Mad1723]

We'll have to wait and see for quality. But as far as convenience goes, it's hard to beat. That lets you use your phone for navigation with Google Maps and use your own media player, etc. Can't wait to get this!

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

[SirBrass]

It's nothing I haven't had before in the app radio 2. Thing is, when I'm in the car, I want my phone charging, so docking it is no big deal. If the phone is connected by radio and doing gps, the battery drains madly. So, as much as i'd like to keep the phone in my pocket, it just ain't going to happen. So, while it's charging it might as well be doing something useful.

And I had a $400 AR2. Sound quality was okay. Clean but nothing special when being pumped through a 4x100 speaker amp and a 500Wx1 (at 2 ohms) mono amp to a 2 ohm JL 10" sub, and 2 pairs of Type R components. The AR2 only put out about 2V from the pre-outs too, and audio processing was pathetic.

The android interface via ARL was really cool, though. But it got old after a while. This time around, I want more SQ than pure mirroring goodness, as I'm not actively using my phone, just occassionally using it while primarily driving. I don't need super sleek, game-playing ability, just easy switching between power amp, spotify, pandora, and audible, plus occassional access to gmaps, text messager, and phone.

Mirrorlink with the XDA-hacked drive link app in a high quality HU is more up my alley.

Now, if this sony unit has some seriously good audio processing and output, I'll regret buying the 701HD in a few weeks.