Pioneer’s AppRadio was pretty darn cool when it first launched and now there’s another version with improved apps, improved UI, and improved hardware. We hung out with Pioneer at CES yesterday and here is the raw feed featuring Pioneer’s products including car stereos, AppRadio, iPhone interfaces for your whip.

AppRadio has always been a pretty sweet offering from Pioneer, but something important was missing: support for Android. In 2012, however, Pioneer’s new AppRadio 2 platform will support both iPhone 4/4S as well as select Android phones.

It has built-in Bluetooth, which only makes sense in the car, along with two configurable RCA Pre-outs for connecting to aftermarket or OEM amplifiers. The AppRadio 2 also comes with a full 7-inch touchscreen.

The new model will go for $499.

The earlier model of AppRadio will not support Android, but is available with the iPhone 4 and 4S, and has a bit of a smaller screen at just 6.1-inches.

Pioneer is also launching the Advanced App Mode Dev Center, which is a website committed to open communications with developers and for the distribution of the SDK. In layman’s terms, just about anyone can now get access to the SDK to build an app for the AppRadio.

Pioneer is also launching Advanced App Mode, which brings all of the AppRadio apps running on the iPhone under control of the in-dash navigation and DVD receiver models. That means there will be full featured multimedia receiver with both AppRadio and disc playback, offering the highest performance for both platforms.

Pioneer yesterday announced the so-called Potternavi [JP], a GPS for bicycles that will be available in white or black. Buyers can expect a 2.4-inch color LCD with 240×320 resolution, ANT+ support, an acceleration sensor, a USB port, and 10 hours of battery life.

Pioneer says that the Potternavi not only shows maps and directions but also lets users look for popular spots, for example the nearest restaurant or store. It also gives tips for healthy biking, indicates which actions burn how many calories etc.

What’s interesting is that it supports 3G provided by Japan’s biggest mobile carrier NTT Docomo (the first 2 years are free of charge).

Pioneer plans to start selling the Potternavi in Japan in February next year (price: US$527). The Nikkei is reporting that the 100g device will hit the US and European markets sometime “next summer”, too.

Via AV Watch [JP]

Truth be told, I wasn’t very impressed with what electronics makers showed at the CEATEC 2011 tech exhibition – especially because a lot of the new products were “leaked” to the Japanese press before the event started.

However, here are a total of five of the coolest innovations Japanese companies showed at the CEATEC 2011 in video form, delivered from our friends at Diginfo TV (YouTube channel). All the videos were shot directly on location and are in English.

Video 1: Toshiba’s 55-inch, naked-eye 3D TV with facial recognition (our coverage)

Video 2: Sony’s “DEV-3″ binoculars that shoot videos in full HD and 3D

Video 3: Pioneer’s augmentend reality-based car navigation System (our coverage)

Video 4: NTT Docomo’s smartphone jackets that measure body fat, radiation, or alcohol (our coverage)

Video 5: NTT Docomo’s smartphone battery that fully charges in 10 minutes

First an Augmented Reality-based car navigation system, now a model that’s specifically designed for electric vehicles: Pioneer has today announced [JP] the AVIC-ZH09-MEV, which doubles as a multimedia entertainment system and comes with a number of functions that are supposed to make the lives of EV drivers easier. According to Pioneer, it’s the first car navigation system of its kind.

Pioneer says their device can help drivers to extend battery life by taking into account factors like wind resistance, power left, and the amount of power that can be generated through decelerating when displaying routes. It also shows how much energy you are using with your driving style and indicates the nearest charging stations, too.

The device features a 7-inch screen with VGA resolution and LED backlight, an 80GB HDD, a TV tuner, a CD/DVD player, Bluetooth, a USB port, an SD card slot, and 50W×4ch speakers.

Pioneer plans to roll out the AVIC-ZH09-MEV in Japan this month (price: $3,045).

A month after its official unveiling, Pioneer finally found it fit to release a pair of official demo videos of the AppRadio. However, both are clearly meant for marketing purposes rather than actually showing what it does. Check out the second after the jump.

The radio is also now available for purchase $399 at the usual suspects of Amazon, Best Buy, and Crutchfield. Pioneer previously stated that it would retail for less than $500 so they clearly made good on their promise.

Also, why is that labeled on as an exclusive when it’s on Pioneer’s official YouTube channel?

In terms of inter-device cooperation, the Zypr API enables devices to access and share web info more easily and to create mashups of the info that is most important to them. On the other side, for device manufacturers, Zypr enables them to be the creators of those mashups from multiple sources and gives them customization and control of the user experience without requiring use of an app store. Through use of the cloud, device makers can more easily handle the fluctuating service landscape without changing the device or breaking service to the user.

Developers and device makers can access the Zypr cloud using a RESTful API, which is similar in concept to any other API, and after obtaining a free license, device makers and app developers can access the API through HTTP calls, using common languages and OSes.

What you’ll see in the YouTube video below is an example of what someone could build using Zypr.

Pioneer has been working on “Floating Vision” displays for quite a while, and now the company has shown the technology used in embedded systems. The naked-eye 3D display Pioneer recently showed at an exhibition in Tokyo lets users view images or videos “floating” in space – embedded in a prototype car navigation system.

The display also lets you interact with images through gestures, for example by swiping your hand over them or “pushing” them with your fingers.

I have seen the retail version with my own eyes and can confirm the Pioneer representative in the video below isn’t exaggerating when he’s talking about the display’s picture quality. The company is now planning to commercialize the new embeddable version as well.

This video shows the 3D Floating Vision Display in action (shot by Diginfonews in Tokyo, in English):

The aftermarket audio scene has been somewhat stagnant over the last decade. The biggest innovation was navigation and perhaps the addition of a USB host, but GUIs and even prices have stayed about the same. Pioneer has a real chance with the AppRadio to push the rest of the industry into embracing connected data and, in a way, learn to take a back seat to the smartphone by servering a more companion role — as it should be.

A WVGA (800 x 480) 6.1-inch capacitive multitouch serves up all the action. But there’s nothing behind it. The screen doesn’t flip down to reveal a fancy iPhone dock or even an optical drive. iPhones and iPod touches connect to the unit through a Dock Connector cable that hooks into the rear of the radio so it’s up to the installer to hide this wire.

Updates and more apps come by way of a Pioneer iOS app. When an iDevice is connected it unlocks all the wonders of Google Maps including search, routing, directions and even drop pins bookmarks. The iDevice serves up reformated apps to the AppRadio and Pioneer wrangled several popular apps to hit the device at launch and custom versions of RDIO and Pandora are currently available.

This iDevice dependency comes at a price, though. While the AppRadio can certainly stand on its own without a connected device, it loses most of its appeal. Also, Android owners need not apply. Pioneer isn’t servering their kind as Bluetooth connectivity seems only for phone functions and not for streaming content or data connectivity sharing. The AppRadio doesn’t have an optical drive and I worry about the capacitive screen handling direct sunlight. Still, the AppRadio is a welcomed addition to the car audio aftermarket scene.

Pioneer hasn’t announced the price or exact release date yet, but the press announcement states that the “AppRadio will be available in late June with a suggested retail price below $500.”

Side note: big props to our graphic guy Bryce for making a nearly accurate hardware rendering based on blurry FCC pics and several emails from a tester. The OS is clearly wrong, but he nailed the button design.

Yesterday, Pioneer unveiled the WWS-DT101 Discussion Table [JP], which is essentially the company’s answer to Microsoft’s Surface – just bigger and better. The main component here is the 52-inch multi-touch “interactive” LCD display with full HD resolution that supports up to 10 points of contact simultaneously.

In addition, Pioneer squeezed in these features:

• Intel Core i7 950 CPU
• 6GB of memory
• Wi-Fi module
• 2 sub-display ports
• 2 USB ports
• PFU Scan Snap support
• TransferJet support
• DVI, HDMI ports
• 7.5 W（8Ω×2) speakers
• SCHEDA (collaboration desktop software pre-installed)
• VisualSync (software for connecting to iOS devices)
• OS: Windows 7

Pioneer says users can browse the web, view PDF, open MS Office documents, watch videos (WMV only) or view pictures on the display.

The Discussion Table is sized at 1,600mm (W) × 902mm (H) ×1,000 mm (D) and weighs 160kg. Pioneer plans to start selling the best in Japan in July for about $37,000.

Akihabara News had the chance to go hands-on with the display and shot a video (see below):

Pioneer in Japan announced [JP] a number of new car navigation systems today, but the AVIC-VH09CS took the cake: it’s what the company calls the first in-dash car navigation system ever to make use of Augmented Reality. And by the looks of it, the device produces some pretty cool results.

Technically, the system consists of:

• 7-inch LCD
• DVD/CD player
• USB/SD card slot
• 5.1ch  center speaker
• Bluetooth
• AR scouter mode

Obviously, the so-called AR scouter mode is the most interesting feature: the system “augments reality” by identifying cars, traffic lights, streets and other objects in the real world to help guide you through traffic (the camera has to be installed on the windshield and connects to the AVIC-VH09CS wirelessly).

For example, in the picture below, the system superimposes a Lawson convenience store (on the left, in blue) with a “3DCG” to make it easier to spot.

On this picture, you can see the device highlighting the lanes in front of you:

The car in front of you gets “augmented”:

Pioneer plans to start selling the AR navigation system in Japan by the end of this month (price: $3,700).

Via AV Watch [JP]

Meet the Pioneer AppRadio, model number SPH-DA01. This unannounced double-din head unit hit the FCC database yesterday and a tipster wrote in to answer many of our questions. Obviously, given the name, this is a radio designed around iPhone and iPod. The UI features homescreens, each with two rows of three app icons each. (like the mock-up shows) We hear it feels “exactly like the iOS experience” but since it doesn’t actually run iOS we’re mighty curious how the AppRadio will sit with Apple corporate.

iOS 4.1 devices (read: no Android or WinMo devices) connect to the AppRadio through a traditional USB Dock Connector cable and feeds the deck the phone’s contacts and music. Streaming apps are part of the system as our tipster saw live demos of Pandora and iHeartRadio and also mentions that social media apps are going to be part of the system. Although not specifically mentioned by our tipster, the iPhone must also provide the internet data stream as the FCC docs doesn’t mention any wireless radios.

The hardware looks a lot like an Apple device with a home button mounted under a glossy multitouch, capacitive 6.1-inch screen with a volume rocker mounted on the driver’s side. The Dock Connector cable plugs into a USB port on a rear-connecting cable adapter that also features an S-Video and RCA jack. There’s even an optional steering wheel-mounted control unit for controlling media playback.

The Pioneer head unit seems to feature most standard radio functions besides an optical drive. There is, however, a microsSD card slot, Bluetooth connectivity, AM/FM, GPS, and the ability to hook up a rear view camera. Satellite and HD radio were not mentioned but it seems unlikely given their standard nature this unit will launch without at least one — unless keeping the price low is paramount.

We hear that users will be able to add different apps on the radio, but not the exact process involved. It will likely be done through a microSD card, although a Pioneer iOS app could also serve up the apps as long as Apple approves.

Pioneer demoed PAIS, Platform for the Aggregation of Internet Services, at CES 2011. That system is designed to allow consumers to share data and internet connection across multiple devices, regardless of manufacturer. It’s a novel platform, but doesn’t seem to be in use here. The AppRadio lacks any sort of 802.11x radio and uses a 500Mhz NetLogic Microsystem Au1210 CPU, where PAIS is designed around the Intel Atom. Besides, the AppRadio doesn’t fit the description of different platforms talking together. This is all about iOS here.

Pioneer is clearly trying something new here with the fresh interface and lack of optical drive. If priced right, the AppRadio might be the savior of the dying aftermarket audio market. Companies like Pioneer, Kenwood, and Alpine all know how to make killer hardware, but the software is often horrible. Taking iOS’ styling cues and navigation paths sounds like lawsuit bait, but at least the deck will be pretty.

[special thanks to Bryce, our graphical ninja for the mockup]

Fresh Pioneer Corporation docs just landed in the FCC database of a so-called AppRadio, or as it’s named in one document, iPhone Control Receiver. The unit, SPH-DA01, has a whole host of testing documents in the database but only two are are all that interesting. The user manual names this device AppRadio and then there’s an unflattering picture that shows a center-mounted iPhone button.

Unfortunately said manual seems to be only the first couple pages and not the entire thing, leaving more questions than answers. The manual doesn’t have any screenshots, fancy graphics or descriptions supporting the tantalizingly name. However, in standard FCC operating procedure, there are external and internal photos of the unit and the external one clearly shows a glossy unit with an iPhone-ish center mounted button and a volume rocker off to the side. The whole design is a clear departure from Pioneer’s traditionally style that generally includes lighted capacitive buttons and a matte screen.

The rest of the documents talk about iPhone connectivity but that’s a standard feature on today’s car audio head units. Still, this one just feels right. That button, the model number clearly describing a first-gen device, even the timing as Apple is pushing into more niche markets makes this one feel legit. Hopefully Pioneer or Apple doesn’t keep this one under wraps for long. [FCC]

Pioneer announced [JP] the VMS-700-K for the Japanese market today, a wireless speaker specifically designed for elderly people. The idea here is to place the device right next to the user when watching TV so they can adjust the volume the way they like, without potentially harassing other family members.

Pioneer says sound can be transmitted within a range of up to 30m (in the 2.4GHz band). The VMS-700-K features 1W×2ch output, 100Hz～20kHz frequency response and 13 hours battery life (it’s powered by a nickel metal hydride rechargable battery).

The speaker will hit Japanese stores next month (price: $240). Expect to see a lot more elderly-friendly gadgets from Japan in the next few years.

In the fall of last year, Pioneer introduced the HVT (Horizontal-Vertical Transforming) technology [PDF, in English] during CEATEC 2010 in Tokyo. HVT makes it possible to “drastically reduce the thickness of speakers” and keep down unwanted vibrations – all without losing audio quality, according to Pioneer.

And today, the company announced [JP], the first HVT-based speaker for home use, the so-called Sound Wing.

The speaker weighs 430g and is sized at just 207×100×109mm. It offers 100W maximum output, 8Ω impedance, and 160Hz〜32kHz frequency response.

Pioneer plans to start offering the Sound Wing in Japan in June this year (price: $507). No word yet on international sales plans.

Today, Pioneer announced four new A/V receivers to join their VSX line. All of the new receivers are smartphone compatible with an optional Bluetooth adapter, and can stream audio from the devices. The top end model, the VSX-1021 ($549), is the one to get as it has a ton of connectivity to smartphones and computers, and is compatible with Apple’s new Airplay.

The Bluetooth and Airplay support will be great for entertaining; people will be able to send their music to the system from across the room from their smartphones. Not only that, but the receiver also supports DLNA, internet radio, and offers custom Pioneer-developed iPhone apps to control the system (iControlAV2 and Air Jam). This sounds really neat.

The new models are the VSX-521 ($249), VSX-821 ($349), VSX-921 ($449) and VSX-1021 ($549).

Press Release

(My son a few years back in front of a 60-inch Pioneer Elite plasma. He *loved* it.)

There was a time when the Pioneer Elite display was the cream of the crop, the top dog, the big kid on the bus, you know, the best damn TV available. But even having the best color and black level reproduction on the market, the expensive line couldn’t withstand the recession and the onslaught of cheap LCDs and plasmas. Pioneer killed the Elite display line in 2009 and a little part of the world died with it.

But it’s back! Sharp’s licensing the Elite brand from Pioneer and the two companies will jointly market the product line. The models will wear only Elite branding, not Sharp or Pioneer. These will be Elite HDTVs, but will be available in the Prioneer Elite dealer network. No time frame was given, but these displays were so good that it might be worth delaying the purchase of your high-end Panasonic plasma or Samsung LCD until these models hit.

The prototype, which sports a 2.2-inch color LCD (non-touch) screen and a trackball, also features a pedaling motor that measure the force on the crank.

Current features include ANT+ support, GPS, a microSD slot, a microUSB port, a thermometer, and 12 hours of battery life. The device weighs 100g.

This video (shot by our friends over at Diginfonews in Tokyo) provides more insight:

Everybody may own at least one cell phone nowadays, but that doesn’t mean fixed line networks are dead. Case in point: Pioneer Japan’s TF-FN2000 [JP], a new series of cordless phones that will be available in black, white and red.

Technically, the phones are nothing special. They feature an LCD display at the base unit, a hands-free function, built-in answering machine and 180 hours of battery life (in standby). The main selling point here is the design, with the handset being just 89mm thin.

Pioneer will start offering the phones in Japan by the end of this month with an open price model.

Via Akihabara News