Hands-on: Apple CarPlay goes wireless over Wi-Fi with Alpine's iLX-107 receiver
Alpine's CarPlay integration in its upcoming iLX-107 receiver uses Wi-Fi direct, rather than Bluetooth, allowing for a higher quality experience with negligible effect on battery life.
Representatives from Alpine told AppleInsider at CES on Saturday that there is no discernible drain on battery when using CarPlay wirelessly over Wi-Fi.
The Alpine iLX-107 receiver uses Bluetooth as a trigger to change over to 5GHz Wi-Fi direct for CarPlay. Call audio is routed over Wi-Fi as well.
Alpine has also updated its menus and system displays to match Apple's interface. For example, the onscreen volume display mimics Apple's own volume controls shown on screen in iOS.
The iLX-107 also controls add-on car accessories such as lights, cameras, truck bed covers, and more.
By default, Alpine's system will pair with the most-used device in the car, not the last-used.
The unit does not include a CD/DVD tray, though it is available as an optional add-on. Alpine representatives said they don't believe most customers will need it.
Alpine's iLX-107 will launch this February for $900. CarPlay is compatible with iPhone 5 and later.
For more, see, AppleInsider's ongoing coverage of CES 2017.
Representatives from Alpine told AppleInsider at CES on Saturday that there is no discernible drain on battery when using CarPlay wirelessly over Wi-Fi.
The Alpine iLX-107 receiver uses Bluetooth as a trigger to change over to 5GHz Wi-Fi direct for CarPlay. Call audio is routed over Wi-Fi as well.
Alpine has also updated its menus and system displays to match Apple's interface. For example, the onscreen volume display mimics Apple's own volume controls shown on screen in iOS.
The iLX-107 also controls add-on car accessories such as lights, cameras, truck bed covers, and more.
By default, Alpine's system will pair with the most-used device in the car, not the last-used.
The unit does not include a CD/DVD tray, though it is available as an optional add-on. Alpine representatives said they don't believe most customers will need it.
Alpine's iLX-107 will launch this February for $900. CarPlay is compatible with iPhone 5 and later.
For more, see, AppleInsider's ongoing coverage of CES 2017.
Comments
Also, Alpine's iOS inspired UI looks like garbage! Is it really all that hard to mimic good design? Take Apline's Camera app icon for example, what compelled them to use 3 jellybean colored traffic cones that are transparent?? Blows my mind how ugly they choose to make things.
Turning off all our devices will not suddenly render the world free of RF. It exists naturally in our environment. We're designed to survive it. For a while.
btw, if a person spends $80k-$100k on Mercedes S-class, it's not a waste in your opinion? Your ill thinking really made me laugh.
Yawn... It's nice on occasion. But 98% of the time I plug my phone into my audio system's USB port via a lightening cord anyway just to charge it.
Is it really that hard folks to take your phone out of your pocket and plug it in? Are we really getting that lazy today???
Bit pricey for Nissan quality looks and handling. But yes, they did put a modest off-brand quality iPad in the dash.
I don't mind plugging it into a USB cable to allow simultaneous charging...not a hassle.
It was a steal at $700 plus installation.