At Wilstron, he successfully secured a number of multi-million dollar machine-to-machine communication (M2M)  programs covering mobile health, smart grid and transportation. He led the certification effort with Verizon, AT&T and Sprint, and secured the manufacturing contract to supply communication modules for the largest deployment of cellular smart meters in the U.S.,” said Audiovox.

“We have identified M2M and Location Based Services as significant growth opportunities for our company and as many of you saw at CES in January we unveiled our first product in this category- -Car Connection under the Audiovox brand and announced our distribution partnership with Tagg the Pet Tracker under the Qualcomm brand,” said Tom Malone, president of Audiovox Electronics Corp. “Joe brings a unique skill set to the team as he has a very thorough understanding of the market and has vast experience in creating the partner relationships required to succeed.”

Source: Audiovox Electronics

It’s based on Apple’s old “click wheel” found on the original iPods.  But this time it gets a new touch-sensitive design and a system for mounting on the steering wheel, reports Patently Apple.

The patent is for a wireless device that works with a transmitter.

The “click wheel” is mounted on “clamping feet” (pictured below) that attach to the steering wheel, and the clamping feet can rotate depending on the orientation of where the device is mounted.  The face of the click wheel also rotates to suit the orientation on the steering wheel.

Since steering wheels come in different thicknesses, the clamping feet are hinged to accommodate them. The feet may be made of aluminum, plastic, fiberglass or other materials, according to the patent.

The patent was originally filed in Q1 2011 under the names of designers from Apple.

Source: Patently Apple

Massive Audio DX693

It will add shallow mount driver models DX6S, DX69S  in corresponding 6.5 inch and 6 by 9 inch sizes, as well as the DX6 (6.5-inch) component kit at $69.95 and new DX2, DX3, and DX65 models.

All DX series coaxial speakers use heavy gage steel baskets, two-piece custom paintable grills (except the existing DX46 & 57) and high flux Y30 Ferrite magnets.  They also employ Hi Temp 1” ASV voice coils, laminated paper cones with pressed foam surround, polyester fiber cloth spiders and 13mm hard dome tweeters.

The line is rated at 150 to 250 watts peak power handling.

Already shipping are the DX 4, DX 5, DX6, DX46, DX 57 and a 3 way 6×9” co-axial.

The new models are designed to fit shallow mounting spots at budget prices.

Source: Massive Audio

Jake Braaten, Rockford Director of Product development, said “Nothing fits behind your truck seat?  Rockford Fosgate has the solution… These loaded enclosures may look small, but they play loud, and thanks to its high power handing and 1-Ohm load wired impedance, you can actually use a powerful amplifier to … let your neighbors know your still blocks away from home.”

The Punch P3S  line features a sealed slim-line wedge design for optimum mechanical power handling, durable carpet with stitched Diamond-R logo, and quick-release input terminals.

Additional Punch P3S  Sealed Enclosure line specs include:

• Sealed truck box style enclosure
• Constructed with 5/8-inch MDF
• 10 AWG input terminals
• Computer optimized design
• Wired exclusively with Rockford Fosgate speaker cable
• Included trim ring ready to accept optional stamped mesh grille insert
• 1 Year Standard Warranty
• Complies to CEA-2031 standards
• MSRP: P3S-1X8 ($249.99); P3S-1X10 ($279.99); P3S-1X12 ($299.99)

For more information on Rockford Corporation, please visit www.rockfordcorp.com.

Edited by CEoutlook 

The Crux BEEBF-32 kit works with Ford Focus, Edge and Fiesta cars model year 2012 or later (Ford CAN bus II radios). Many Focus vehicles do not include factory installed Bluetooth.

The Bluetooth kit is designed to rival the OEM Bluetooth products.  Crux offers integration of the factory steering wheel controls, Bluetooth audio streaming and the following features:

ñ  Allows calls to be heard through the factory car speakers.

ñ  Allows user to answer and end calls using the steering wheel controls.

ñ  Allows user to make calls using voice dialing feature.*

ñ  Text to Speech (TTS) announces caller’s name or number.*

ñ  Using A2DP Technology, allows user to wirelessly stream music via internet radio (Example: Pandora)*
(Note: A2DP Audio will only be heard through the front speakers.)

ñ  DSP and Echo-Cancellation allows for clear conversations on both sides of the phone call.

ñ  Allows any previously paired mobile phone to automatically re-connect to the Bluetooth interface.

ñ  Automatically mutes any source as soon as a call is received, and resumes when call is ended.

ñ  2.1 Bluetooth Compliant

ñ  Allows the user to take calls in privacy mode.

The BEEBF-32 began shipping last week.

Source:  Crux Interfacing Solutions

Edited by CEoutlook

Aftermarket car audio and security sales rose but were offset by lower sales of satellite radio and fulfillment of FLO TV products (discontinued last year).

The company recently reported an increase of nearly 5 percent in combined car audio, security and OEM sales for the fiscal year ended in February compared to a year earlier.   OEM sales alone grew by 14.8 percent over the year earlier but were offset by a $20.8 million downturn in satellite radio/FLO TV fulfillment.

The satellite radio segment, however, is expected to see an increase this coming year, Pat Lavelle, VOXX President and CEO told analysts Tuesday.

VOXX also expects to be a key player in mobile DTV (digital TV for moving vehicles and portables) as the service begins to roll out more aggressively over the next 12 to 18 months.  Through VOXX’s recent purchase of antenna maker Hirschmann, a leader in mobile DTV tuners, the company believes it will have “a first mover advantage” in the segment.

VOXX is now a company made up of about $500 million annually in car audio and OEM sales, $200 million in high end audio and $200 million in accessories, it told analysts Tuesday.

Net sales for the year reached $707.1 million, up almost 26 percent from a year ago.  Net income for the year rose to $25.6 million from $23 million (but would have been slightly less than a year ago if not for a higher tax benefit this year).

Total electronics sales grew 35 percent to $561 million compared to $415.2 million a year ago. Accessories sales fell 0.3 percent to $146 million.

During the fiscal year, Klipsch, (purchased in March 2011) generated about $169.5 million in sales.

Audiovox said it expects sales to hit $900 million for fiscal 2013.

CEO Pat Lavelle noted, “Many of our core product lines are expected to grow organically this year and we see increased potential in the 2nd half of the year backed by new product introductions and new OEM programs.” These products include new car tracking systems launching with Sprint.

“It’s on our roadmap…but it’s too soon to talk about it,” said Kenwood’s Keith Lehmann.

Mobileye Driver Assist System

Audiovox also told us it is working on a prototype for a blind spot detection product, but it too is not ready to announce firm details.  In addition, Audiovox hopes to ship its delayed aftermarket lane departure warning system in about 90 days.  As announced earlier, the system will carry a price of about $599 and will be aimed at both the retail and expeditor markets.

While the driver assist category has been slow to gain headway in the aftermarket, it bears much potential say industry members. Audiovox’s Tom Malone notes the products require “intensive” reliability testing.  “There’s a lot of software involved, and a lot of different vehicle configurations so they are not easy to get into the market…..it’s got to be reliable and unique for every vehicle.”

But he believes the products will be met with strong demand.  “Absolutely, consumers are ready for this.  Blind spot detection is a great product.  The consumer gets it in about 30 seconds and it’s one of those things nice to have in the car, once it’s made affordable and people can get them at a retail store or car dealer….  and lane departure warning as well,” Malone added.

Sony said driver assist products “is not part of our future offering,” according to a spokeswoman.

In driver safety, Alpine offers an active back up camera that provides audible and visual warnings of moving objects detected behind the vehicle.  The company would not reveal future products but noted it has a full driver assist testing facility in Japan and is researching additional products and features.

Alpine’s Steve Crawford said the category represents an opportunity for specialists since they are better positioned than mass merchants to explain the products to customers and install them.

Steelmate confirms it is on track to offer, what may be the first blind spot detection device for the aftermarket this September.  The device plugs into the car’s OBDII port and is expected to cost about $399.

Source: CEoutlook

Pioneer Cyber Navi

The system can be mounted on 70 percent of existing cars.  The head up display projector mounts where the sun visor sits on the driver’s side.

Not for penny pinchers, the unit costs the equivalent of about $4,000.   Pioneer showed a scaled down version of the system at CES for the past 2 years, and said that it would eventually come to the U.S. market.  A spokesman in Japan said the product will not come to our shores this year, however,

The device is called “Cyber Navi.”   It can work with a front mounted camera, displaying the image from the camera while superimposing information on it.

The system gives you a 37-inch long color image with a resolution of 720 by 260 pixels. Bluetooth is used to communicate between the head up display (HUD) and the navigation system.

The HUD was developed with U.S.-based MicroVision.  It uses red, green and blue lasers for the light source and MEMS mirrors, said Nikkei Business Publications.

Also, it captures images of speed limit signs and gives the driver an audible alert.

Source: CEoutlook,  Nikkei Business Publications via Engadget

Photo via Engadget

MirrorLink presentation for Samsung Galaxy SIII

The certification process should be finalized in October.

The Consortium believes that MirrorLink car radios will be a standard feature on cars by 2014, said PCMag. Toyota already offers MirrorLink radios in Europe and Sony and Alpine and planning to bring aftermarket MirrorLink radios to the U.S. this year. A MirrorLink phone, the Samsung Galaxy SIII comes to the U.S. this summer.

To ensure that only safe apps will be accessible while driving, the Consortium is creating 2 classes of apps: restricted and unrestricted.   The former category would include apps that might only be accessible when the car is parked.

Approved apps might require a minimum font size and a maximum number of text lines per screen.  A texting app, for example, would be required to go into voice command only, when the car is running.

“The consortium’s goal to have the world’s most popular apps approved as soon as possible,” said Alfred Tom, Ecosystem Workgroup Chair of the group.

Source: Car Connectivity Consortium via PCmag.com

iOnRoad is a driving safety app that uses the smartphone’s native camera and sensors to warn drivers of a potential collision.  It can detect your lane and the cars  in front of your vehicle, so it alerts the driver in time to take action when it detects danger.

It also claims to improve your driving in  real-time using augmented reality feedback of your driving to encourage safe driving habits.

“This CTIA E-Tech award, especially when pitted against so many worthy technology companies, means a lot to the whole iOnRoad team,” said Alon Atsmon, CEO of iOnRoad. “What started as an idea to try to make driving safer has propelled iOnRoad to achieve so much in just the past year since we launched the product, including multiple users who have written to us telling us that iOnRoad saved their lives.”

iOnRoad also won  Gartner’s Top Automotive Vendors CES 2012 showcase award, Best AR Android app for 2011 and Best Israeli app for 2011.

Source: iOnRoad

The MA1548B will accommodate either an ISO single DIN mount with pocket or an ISO double DIN mount.  The kit is made with high strength ABS/PC material, contour and color matched to the factory dash.  The kit comes with a pocket, mounting brackets and retention clips, making an aftermarket installation simple.

The MA1548B vehicle specific installation kit will retail at $49.95 and includes all the necessary hardware and detailed installation instructions. For a complete aftermarket installation, Scosche also manufacturers the matching harness, the MA03B which retails for $19.95 and the antenna adapter, HAAB retailing for $19.95.  The new 2012 Mazda 5 kit and all Scosche products are available at specialty retailers across the nation. Visit www.scosche.com for more information on this and other “Custom Kit, Factory Fit” products.

About Scosche Industries

Scosche Industries is an award-winning innovator of car audio and portable electronics accessories. Scosche is founded on its commitment to quality, value and customer service. With 133 patents and countless industry awards it is easy to see that Scosche is consistently at the forefront of technology and innovation.  Scosche Industries is the parent company of several distinct brands including: Scosche, REALM, EFX, BlueFusion and Accumat. Founded in 1980, Scosche is still 100% family owned and operated with over 120 great people alongside them. For more information visit our website at www.scosche.com or follow us on twitter or facebook.

 Edited by CEoutlook

The FLCAN firmware upgrade turns “factory keyless entry system” into full remote start systems on select Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Toyota/Lexus/FORD/Hyundai and Kia vehicles, without having to add an aftermarket remote starter.

FlashLogic allows a dealer to download the appropriate software to make it applicable to a wide range of vehicles without requiring vehicle specific SKUs.

Additional transmitter upgrade packages are also available,  including one that provides two-way LCD confirmation and one that will increase the operating range of the FLCAN system to over 1,500 feet.

“As OE vehicle technology continues to evolve so does our FlashLogic program. Our engineers are currently field testing new applications that will expand our FLCAN vehicle application compatibility. Look for us to announce a GM platform based upgrade in the near future,” said Audiovox Electronics President Tom Malone.

The following remote start firmware is available immediately for download on the FLCAN:

RS-CH4/CH5

Complete data remote start

Select Chrysler / Dodge / Jeep regular key and “tipstart” models 2005 – 2012

Short range remote start from OEM keyless entry

Long range upgrades available

RS-TL1/TL2/TL3

Complete data remote start

Select Toyota / Lexus 40-bit key, 80-kit key and push-to-start models 2007 – 2011

Short range remote start from OEM keyless entry with long range upgrades available

RS-FM4

Complete data remote start

2012 ford focus push to start

Short range remote start from OEM keyless entry

Long range upgrades available

RS-HK2

Complete data remote start

Select Hyundai/Kia push to start models 2009-2101

Short range remote start from OEM Keyless entry

Long range upgrades available.

This FlashLogic FLCAN system is designed to work with all Prestige, Pursuit, Code Alarm and Pursuitrak remote start products.

For information on becoming a Audiovox Dealer in the US – email  newaccounts@audiovox.com.

Edited by CEoutlook

This photo elicited 2500 comments recently on Reddit-  a popular Internet social site for semi-Geeky Millennials.    So if you want to know what they say about car radios, scroll down a bit into the comments  (skip the first thread about an ’87 Fiero) and click here.  Hint:  They like an aux in jacks.

Source: Reddit

The Bongiovi DPS enhances the sound of a traditional car stereo, and the deal allows Audiovox to market premium sound systems.

VOXX and AVG will also work together to develop applications for the technology for the OEM market.  And they are working on new applications for the Audiovox expeditor network, as the technology “easily integrates with both new and used cars,” said President of Audiovox Electronics, Tom Malone.

“The addition of DPS technology based applications enhances our automotive solutions for our OE partners, and will enable them to lower their acquisition costs for premium car sound while helping them differentiate their value-added solutions,” said Malone, adding, “…We believe the patented DPS technology applications can potentially change the automotive sound landscape as it provides car manufacturers with the ability to take a basic factory sound system and dramatically improve audio quality without the need to upgrade to higher-end systems. Additionally, this will resonate well with consumers who want a premium sound experience in their vehicles.”

DPS was developed by Tony Bongiovi, the critically acclaimed sound engineer and record producer for Bongiovi Acoustics. It digitally re-masters the audio signal in real-time to compensate for acoustical problems in the car.  VOXX says the technology “extends the frequency response of car speakers and maximizes the frequency-specific power distribution of a vehicle’s head-unit amplifier.”

DPS applications are also designed and tuned for the individual vehicle so they are as custom as the other OE components.

AE Distributing will be able to serve local dealers in the California and adjoining states market, making it faster and easier to get
Wet Sounds products for their customers.

“Having a strong fulfillment partner locally will help us connect with even more customers throughout the
territory,”  said Wet Sounds VP of Sales & Marketing Shawn Simpson.
All Wet  Sounds products are designed to sound great at a minimum of 80 feet and beyond, and all products are constructed from materials specifically made for the harsh marine environment.
“We’re very proud to have Wet Sounds as a new member of our product offerings”, added John Haynes, General Manager for AE Distributing. “There are many boat and powersport owners in our area, but many dealers either need the product right away or can’t make a minimum shipping order. That’s where a local fulfillment center can step in and provide Wet Sounds products, next day with no minimums.”

Edited by CEoutlook

See the quick video for yourself:

Source:RAIN

The 7-inch “tablet” is basically a dummy unit with no standalone functions until it’s connected to an iPhone 4 or 4S.  The Next GATE takes the apps on your phone and converts them to an easy to read user interface on the 7 inch screen.

You can launch Siri by pressing and holding one icon on the Next GATE screen. You get the benefit of the device’s built in microphone.  Another icon lets you make phone calls through Next GATE, said The Verge.

The device gives you  a safer way to operate the iPhone in the car, without swapping out the car radio.  It works with a handful of apps out of the box, but Clarion will add more later.  Apps include Pandora, TuneIn, Vlingo, INRIX Traffic and Infogation.  The unit is available June 1 at $269.

Source: The Verge

The SafetyPlus system features touch screen function and includes a mounting adapter to fit most vehicles. When the vehicle is in reverse gear, a back-up camera will appear on the 4.3” screen.

Other  features include Bluetooth hands-free function, built-in microphone, built-in speaker and the ability to switch to other video sources, such as DVD player or to a smart phone.

The mirror is available at a suggested retail price of : $499.95.

Edited by CEoutlook

Larry Frederck Moves to Diamond Audio/Cerwin Vega

Larry Frederick, a veteran industry product developer, has just joined Domestic Investment Group as Domestic Sales & Marketing Director after leaving Elettromedia.

This follows, in direct reverse,  the exit of Rob Wempe as Domestic’s National Sales Manager who moved to  Elettromedia as Director of Elettromedia-USA in December.

Also Jason Digos, who was Regional Sales Manager for Domestic  just moved to Elettromedia as Regional Sales Manager and Manager of Dealer Training and Technical Service.

Frederick said, “I can’t wait to hit the streets with our reps and retailers and show them what we have to offer.  The future that I see looks really bright as we go into 2012 and 2013 as we are already working on new and innovative products.”

Frederick is  considered one of the pioneers of high end car audio and  has developed over a 1,000 car audio products over his 25-year career.

Bob Chanthavongsa remains Director of Sales, Worldwide for Domestic Investment Group.

In addition to Diamond Audio and Cerwin Vega, Domestic Investment Group LLC owns the Caché, and IQ Smart Solutions brands.

Source: Domestic Investment Group

Samsung Galaxy SIII

You can see some of the phone’s cool features below.

For the car market, the device breaks ground as the first MirrorLink ready phone in the U.S. to the best of our knowledge.   It now looks like MirrorLink will get an official stateside launch this summer,  when the SIII is due for U.S. release and when the first two MirrorLink car radios will launch in the aftermarket—the  XAV-701HD ($700) and XAV-601BT ($550)—from Sony.  Both are both AV receivers with  full control over Android, Nokia and Windows Phone smartphones.  Apps appear as mirrored onto the car radio and users may control them from the radio.  iPhone apps will also appear mirrored on the radio.

The Sony 601 is expected to ship at the end of this month while the 701 should ship in August.

Sony’s Taka Noguchi has said in the recent past, “MirrorLink is becoming the defacto standard in the industry—in the OE industry, the aftermarket, as well as the mobile phone industry.  You can easily connect a smartphone and car audio.”

MirrorLink’s aim is to allow most phones to work with most car radios (OEM and aftermarket).  It permits a mirror image of your phone to appear on the car radio screen, and let the radio control the phone.

You can see a 17 second video clip of MirrorLink on the Galaxy SIII below:

The Galaxy SIII should “help MirrorLink get established and get early volume sales,” said IHS iSuppli analyst Egil Juliussen.  Samsung sells a staggering 20,000 Galaxy phones every hour. And one in four phone sold around the globe are by Samsung, now the leading phone maker.

But Juliussen notes that MirrorLink is only one of four smartphone-to-car radio standards vying for a place in the automobile. Two others are Harman’s Aha Radio and Pioneer’s Zypr.   And the strongest competitor may yet be HTML5.   The new Cadillac Cue due next month will support HTML5, said Juliussen.    An Audi spokesman at CES in January told CEoutlook that HTML5 will be a strong platform for car radios.

As for the new Samsung Galaxy SIII, it provides Siri-like voice control, and it has facial recognition so if you take a photo of your friends, you can automatically send them all a copy.   It “knows” when you are still using the phone so it won’t go into lock mode because it tracks your eye movement.   It runs Android 4.0 and will be available later this year in 4G.

CNET says: “The Samsung Galaxy S3 brings a gorgeous 4.8-inch 720p display, quad-core processor and 8-megapixel camera, all crammed into a good-looking, impossibly slim and light casing. At this point we have few concerns, and this smart phone looks set to reproduce the Galaxy S2′s success.”

Alpine is also expected to offer a MirrorLink car radio in the U.S. this year.

Source: CEoutlook