Alpine debuts new 9-inch CarPlay display, Kia details Sportage and Optima upgrades

AppleInsider

Aftermarket upgrade specialist Alpine on Friday launched a new, 9-inch dash display with support for Apple's CarPlay, while Korean automaker Kia further detailed plans to support CarPlay in the 2016 Optima and 2017 Sportage.

The Alpine dash unit -- the i109-WRA -- is not only one of the biggest but also one of the most expensive on the market, costing $2,500. It's also restricted to Jeep Wranglers with a 2011 model year or later.

The unit includes a capacitive touchscreen, and options to trigger Siri via a built-in button, or steering wheel controls when available. Among other features are AM/FM radio, backup camera support, three 2V pre-outs, and one AUX AV input. It also offers high-end audio features like a 24-bit DAC, but not Bluetooth or wireless CarPlay compatibility.

Kia's 2016 Optima.

Kia previously announced plans to support CarPlay in the 2016 Optima and 2017 Sportage, but today said that vehicles shipping in the current quarter will support CarPlay by default, so long as they're equipped with a compatible navigation system or UVO 3 "infotainment" system.

People who previously bought those vehicles will be able to download an update from myuvo.com in the third quarter. Other Kia vehicles will also be able to install the update, but the company said these would be announced later on.

CarPlay -- and Google's competition, Android Auto -- are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, although many older vehicles are unable to upgrade to either platform. It was unusual, for example, when Fiat Chrysler revealed that some 2013- and 2014-model vehicles would get upgrades.

snova

still no cars or aftermarket that support Wireless Carplay?

wood1208

Sooner is better for all car manufacturers to support Carplay and androidauto. Typically I would buy vehicles with proven reliability like Honda or Toyota but was considering Consumer report touted Subaru. The salesman told me they don't support either phone connectivity like Carplay or android. I said people including myself don't replace car less than 10 years than seriously why I would buy new one without carplay ? It's no brainer.

techprod1gy

I really do not understand the need for wireless car play. Have you used your phone for music and maps? You will definitely want your phone plugged in unless you are only driving a very short distance. I like the 9" display. I really think 10" is ideal. The more common 7" are just to small for such an important set of functions.

adrayven

techprod1gy said:

I really do not understand the need for wireless car play. Have you used your phone for music and maps? You will definitely want your phone plugged in unless you are only driving a very short distance. I like the 9" display. I really think 10" is ideal. The more common 7" are just to small for such an important set of functions.

I've got the 7" Kenwood aftermarket unit my in Saturn 2008 VUE and love it.. 7" is just fine.. what you need to watch out for is the display's ability to overcome sunlight!.. Even Kenwood's high-end units display gets completely washed out in direct sign light.. impossible to see.. Other than that, I love mine.. it's a keeper.

tkrunner1738

I wonder if the side buttons are still functional, and it looks like they literally only replaced the screen, but I would do it if I owned a Jeep, but am considering an aftermarket solution since there are a not a lo of dealer installed options for SUVS that I like.

The_Martini_Cat

 dude. This news item should be on a jeep website.   enough said?

nolamacguy

I had to get a new car this week. it's not true that CarPlay and Android Auto are ubiquitous. none of the cars I looked at (CUVs from Honda, Toyota, Subaru) supported either. I ended up having to get a package with a janky, ugly nav system that's likely already out of date. 

i could and may get the JBL after market. but the forums suggest even if you can get your steering wheel controls routed, and backup camera, that the onboard mic and USB is tricky. evidently these things don't all use standard interfaces. 

at least I'm only leasing for a few years. I'll hope for better results then...

cnocbui

Maybe it is just me but I think the carplay icons look gash, cheap and unsuited to the aesthetics of car interiors.

nolamacguy

cnocbui said:

Maybe it is just me but I think the carplay icons look gash, cheap and unsuited to the aesthetics of car interiors.

yeah, it's you. troll is as troll does. 

command_f

cnocbui said:

Maybe it is just me but I think the carplay icons look gash, cheap and unsuited to the aesthetics of car interiors.

There's a lot of personal taste in here but I think it's clear that a single set of icons can't blend perfectly with all the different design approaches from all the car makers. My personal taste agrees with yours, I think the primary-school colours, and their variety, is likely to be a problem. However, I don't have Carplay in my BMW, only a "Siri button", so I have no first-hand experience. Ten years ago, my wife had a Land Rover Freelander whose design aesthetic was "Fisher Price" (big chunky buttons), it would probably have worked OK in that cabin.

Jryan01

adrayven said:

techprod1gy said:

I really do not understand the need for wireless car play. Have you used your phone for music and maps? You will definitely want your phone plugged in unless you are only driving a very short distance. I like the 9" display. I really think 10" is ideal. The more common 7" are just to small for such an important set of functions.

I've got the 7" Kenwood aftermarket unit my in Saturn 2008 VUE and love it.. 7" is just fine.. what you need to watch out for is the display's ability to overcome sunlight!.. Even Kenwood's high-end units display gets completely washed out in direct sign light.. impossible to see.. Other than that, I love mine.. it's a keeper.

I have been waiting for Wireless Carplay for a while now, but now one seems to support it. VW supposedly had a demo ready to show but we never saw it for whatever reason. Would really be functional for me since I mostly do 20 minute drives.