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Pioneer AppRadio 2 (SPH-DA100) Android car stereo

K

KryptoNyte

Android Enthusiast
So I've been waiting and watching the car stereo scene develop for the past 10 or 15 years, and Pioneer is finally into their second version of the Appradio car stereo. The first version "Appradio" was only for Apple devices, but when it was first available, it was easy to see the future potential. Finally, "Appradio 2" supporting some Android devices, reportedly, the Evo 3D.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/AppRadio/AppRadio+2+(SPH-DA100)

The system basically uses your phone and your phones data via the MHL/HDMI adapter (pretty much the reason I purchased the MHL adapter).

The reviews seem to indicate that Pioneer still has some work to do smoothing the system out a bit, but it's promising. I've watched a few video reviews of the unit on Youtube, but if anyone here decides to dive in before me and grab one of these car stereos, please let us know how it goes.
 
This looks pretty awesome, but I don't have the space in my car for a double DIN head unit without some modifications to the dashboard. I also don't want to drop $600 on a new one either, ill stick with my $150 pioneer and just use the headphone jack for now.
 
I have spent tons of hours looking at the car stereo market the last few months in the process of outfitting three vehicles with complete somewhat high-end total system builds.

Unfortunately, there is a paucity of choices when it comes to any level of support for Android phones which allow the head unit to be the primary interface.

In the past three months limited Android app capable units are starting to dribble into the market at the highest end (DVD, NAV, Double din) end of Kenwood and Pioneer's product line, in the Appradio2 and in Kenwood's single din decks. Apline and JVC are starting to dabble with Android support. There is nothing close to the level of support for Android as there is for the IOS, IPhone, IPOD. Rydeen is supposed to release a Android double din car computer in the next 60 days that looks real interesting.

The selection process is very frustrating for one committed to the Android platform and who cringes at the word Apple.

I have read every review available on the net re: Appradio 2 that I could find in probably 1,000 google searches and it appears far from ready for prime time on either platform, but particularity Android. Tons of nags, glitches, in-operability, and almost zero compatible apps where the headunit is the primary interface. And constant back and forth between the headunit and phone to try to get stuff to work.

I wish I had gotten on this upgrade kick 12 months from now. The landscape should change significantly in 2013 for Android lovers.

Subscribed.... though it's to late to make a difference for me.

In the meantime, I will use HP Touchpads running Webos and cym9 to get all the Android I need with nice full screen NAV for free and using HTC Sensation 4g wireless hotspot for connectivity on T-Mobile's $35 plan which works great on Gingerbread 2.34.

avic411.com has the best Appradio 2 thread I've come across and there is a bounty for developers in XDA building steam.
 
i just bought the appradio2 and i have a razr maxx. i spent the extra cash on getting the adapter for the phone but im still having issues with it. if you just buy the radio you are just buying a very expensive radio and bluetooth system. you have to get the special adapter and download the apps as well. i dont know what pionner is doing but apparently the ice cream sandwich os is not working with the radio. it will mess with your bluetooth and will not let you connect to any function that is installed on your radio like pandora or any other app. ive had this radio for about a week already and im still having issues with this.
 
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