Pioneer's AVIC-W8500NEX wireless CarPlay receiver features 7-inch display
Audio hardware manufacturer Pioneer was at CES 2019 in full force this week to show off its latest wares, including the new AVIC-W8500NEX in-dash receiver with wireless CarPlay support.
Pioneer's AVIC-W8500NEX
Coming in at a hefty $1,200, the double-DIN unit boasts an impressive 7-inch high-definition touchscreen display with thin surrounding bezels, similar to other flagship Pioneer receivers. Below the massive screen are buttons for volume, playback, navigation, system controls, CD/DVD eject function and more.
This year's NEX is Pioneer's second head unit to support wireless CarPlay, which allows users to tether their iPhone without a physical cable. While the technology is convenient and provides a seamless user experience, aftermarket audio specialists have been slow to adopt wireless CarPlay.
Aside from CarPlay, Pioneer's own interface handles a usual assortment of inputs including HDMI, Bluetooth connectivity, support for a back-up camera and more. Like other NEX models, the W8500 also supports SD card playback.
A built-in amplifier offers a maximum of 16W by four channels, with a nominal output of 50W for four channels.
The AVIC-W8500NEX is shipping out now for $1,200.
AppleInsider is at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas from Jan. 8 through Jan. 11, where we're expecting 5G devices, HomeKit, 8K monitors and more. Keep up with our coverage by downloading the AppleInsider app, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos throughout the event.
Pioneer's AVIC-W8500NEX
Coming in at a hefty $1,200, the double-DIN unit boasts an impressive 7-inch high-definition touchscreen display with thin surrounding bezels, similar to other flagship Pioneer receivers. Below the massive screen are buttons for volume, playback, navigation, system controls, CD/DVD eject function and more.
This year's NEX is Pioneer's second head unit to support wireless CarPlay, which allows users to tether their iPhone without a physical cable. While the technology is convenient and provides a seamless user experience, aftermarket audio specialists have been slow to adopt wireless CarPlay.
Aside from CarPlay, Pioneer's own interface handles a usual assortment of inputs including HDMI, Bluetooth connectivity, support for a back-up camera and more. Like other NEX models, the W8500 also supports SD card playback.
A built-in amplifier offers a maximum of 16W by four channels, with a nominal output of 50W for four channels.
The AVIC-W8500NEX is shipping out now for $1,200.
AppleInsider is at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas from Jan. 8 through Jan. 11, where we're expecting 5G devices, HomeKit, 8K monitors and more. Keep up with our coverage by downloading the AppleInsider app, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos throughout the event.
Comments
it certainly is disappointing. But the same can be said for capacitive displays, decent resolution and up to date bluetooth stacks. There is also the tendency to only include wireless CarPlay in the flagship models with expensive navigation and dvd drives as well.
You would think they would be rolling out the technology as fast as they can access as many segments of the market as possible, because newer cars do not have standard double din head units and the future aftermarket head unit market will be dead. the market for these guys will be ever grow smaller as cars with double din slots for head unit in the dash become fewer and fewer on the road.
edit:
Actually, Pioneer released quite a few models with wireless CarPlay last year. seven or eight as I recall. The 8400NEX is just last year's version of the 8500NEX.
The Maps in my unit haven't been updated in years. I normally don't use it for that. I just use my phone. I almost want to swap it out for a unit that does CarPlay, but I'm sure not going to spend this much money on a new unit. This is also a shrinking market as more and more cars and trucks will have a radio you can't just swap out. There's still a lot of older cars out there like my 2003 Silverado. It only has a little over 91,000 miles on it. Ya, I don't rack up that many miles per year.