Alpine Electronics Debuts In-Dash Receiver with Wireless Apple CarPlay

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. used the CES event to debut a new in-dash receiver with Wireless Apple CarPlay named the iLX-107. This is an aftermarket in-dash receiver which has a 7-inch touch screen and will make the use of Apple CarPlay more convenient for motorists. The iLX-107 won the CES Innovations Award for outstanding design and engineering in the In-Vehicle Audio/Video category.

Speaking about the new product, Steve Crawford, vice president and general manager, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc said that Apple CarPlay has been highly popular with the company’s customers and is set to gain in popularity with the introduction of the wireless option. Motorists can use the iLX-107 to transition seamlessly from using their iPhone outside the vehicle to enjoy Apple CarPlay inside the vehicle without the hassle of connecting a cable.

The iLX-107 is essentially an AM/FM receiver having a 7-inch WVGA capacitive touch screen and LED backlighting for brightness. The Wireless Apple CarPlay allows iPhone users to make and receive calls, read text messages, play music, and get directions for navigations based on traffic conditions in a manner that will reduce their distraction while on the road. Motorists can access Apple CarPlay either through the iLX-107’s touch screen or through Siri voice control, and the music or navigation directions or calls can be played through their vehicle’s speaker system. Apple CarPlay is compatible all versions of the iPhone from the iPhone 5 onwards.

Once wireless Apple CarPlay has been set up, the iLX-107 will automatically search for and connect to the most frequently paired iPhone for all subsequent uses. There is even no need to remove the smartphone from the purse or pocket as the Apple CarPlay connection to the iLX-107 is wireless. IN order to optimize the wireless connectivity performance.

The iLX-107 is also compatible with the Alpine TuneIt App, a free smartphone app that provides custom sound tuning for the iLX-107 and other audio systems from Alpine. Other notable features of the iLX-107 include three (2V) preouts, one aux input, Alpine’s MediaXpander technology for better playback of compressed media, and an input for a rear view camera system which needs to be purchased separately.

System Expansion

The iLX-107 can also be used to control external accessories like a light bar, or a winch when used with the optional KAC-001 External Accessory Controller. The KAC-001 External Accessory can be paired with up to eight relay-connected accessories and these can be controlled from the iLX-107’s touch screen. It is possible to assign a graphical icon and name to each accessory for quick identification on the touch screen.

Alpine’s Apple CarPlay Lineup
The iLX-107 wireless Apple CarPlay system will be available at the retail level from February this year. Alpine offers five other models with wired Apple CarPlay connections, in screen sizes ranging from 7/8/9-inches.