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[AndroidPolice] Hands-On With Sony's Android Phone Mount Car Stereo

2K views 14 replies 12 participants last post by  NavDigitalStorm 
#1 ·
Quote:
The XPS-N1BT, as you may have guessed, does this via a Bluetooth connection, though initial pairing is accomplished quickly and easily via NFC. All commands and audio from your smartphone are sent over Bluetooth, though your smartphone is able to control the stereo's local playback functionality, as well, through the Sony app that will be available on the Play Store. Of course, you're not limited to Sony's app for simple audio playback - any app that streams audio over Bluetooth (eg, Google Play Music, Spotify) will work, just like any other Bluetooth-enabled car stereo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H0ql_xnyxI

Seriously...how did it take companies this long to cash in on smartphone mount in a car? I was looking at mirroring options few months ago and I can't believe Pioneer's Appradio 3 is such a bad product costing like 3x this unit.

- good price
- no Sony proprietary standards (aside from wireless charging)
- standard radio/CD still supported without phone
- functions wont be locked down even when the car is in motion?

if this works as well as advertised and 2nd gen came with universal wireless charging and volume knob this would be the perfect 2DIN for years to come.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/01/08/ces-2014-hands-on-with-the-sony-xsp-n1bt-android-phone-mount-car-stereo/
 
#2 ·
No doubt this is gonna be in my car come May. Been looking to upgrade my stock grand prix stereo to something "high-end" but seriously... the touchscreen head units on the market all seem like pieces of overpriced junk. In order to get a unit with a decent screen w/ out chhoppy animations and a nice UI you're paying close to four digits...

But this baby... 250 bucks. Takes advantage of all those pretty smartphone displays we got these days. Plus free navigation via google maps... BAM.

Here's to hoping my Note 3 will fit...
 
#3 ·
That's cool... except, all the vehicles I've owned thus far use either single DIN or 1.5 DIN. Double DIN is a far stretch in terms of fitting.
 
#4 ·
Isn't this a dying market? I've noticed a lot of new cars whose radio doesn't look upgradable - and the ones that are (and are new) would probably look ugly with an aftermarket in. I just want a damn aux port.
Quote:
Originally Posted by legoman786 View Post

That's cool... except, all the vehicles I've owned thus far use either single DIN or 1.5 DIN. Double DIN is a far stretch in terms of fitting.
Try GM products? I can't think of any olderish ones that aren't 2din.
 
#5 ·
Ive been killing people for years using DIY ghetto phone mounts.
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by twitchyzero View Post

Quote:
The XPS-N1BT, as you may have guessed, does this via a Bluetooth connection, though initial pairing is accomplished quickly and easily via NFC. All commands and audio from your smartphone are sent over Bluetooth, though your smartphone is able to control the stereo's local playback functionality, as well, through the Sony app that will be available on the Play Store. Of course, you're not limited to Sony's app for simple audio playback - any app that streams audio over Bluetooth (eg, Google Play Music, Spotify) will work, just like any other Bluetooth-enabled car stereo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H0ql_xnyxI

Seriously...how did it take companies this long to cash in on smartphone mount in a car? I was looking at mirroring options few months ago and I can't believe Pioneer's Appradio 3 is such a bad product costing like 3x this unit.

- good price
- no Sony proprietary standards (aside from wireless charging)
- standard radio/CD still supported without phone
- functions wont be locked down even when the car is in motion?

if this works as well as advertised and 2nd gen came with universal wireless charging and volume knob this would be the perfect 2DIN for years to come.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/01/08/ces-2014-hands-on-with-the-sony-xsp-n1bt-android-phone-mount-car-stereo/
How is the AppRadio 3 such a bad product? Root your phone, and it's the exact same thing except it doesn't stick out of the car dash like this Sony unit will, and it comes with a 7" screen so you don't need a huge phone. It also has built-in GPS so you can save battery power (i.e. charge faster). Without a special phone, this is just the equivalent of a dash mount for a phone but covering your head unit. The AppRadio 3 is also not much more expensive (definitely nowhere near 4 digits like others have suggested).
 
#7 ·
IMO the App Radio 3 isn't "bad" per se, just underwhelming. Doesn't meet my expectations with it's shoddy GPS integration (you cannot listen to music when using one of the GPS apps). Just the little things, like the uncustomizable background and having to use App Radio compatible applications. Sure, App Radio has shown improvement, finally with some android support, but it just wasn't quite where I, among many others as well, wanted it to be. At least as far as Android integration
 
#8 ·
Meh

I need Single/1.5 Din.

Why can't a single company make a decent touch radio for us single din users.

Plus not the first car radio that has a dock-able tablet/phone, but probably the fastest and most up to date android device for a car though.

Better have Preamp posts as I would never use the amps sony sticks in those things. Though I never use the amp in the head unit anyways. My car's factory stereo had a standalone infinity amp under my passenger seat. Pretty much ripped it out and put in a 4channel amp for door and rear and a 2 channel amp for my dash speakers. Sounds much better.
 
#9 ·
Again, I point out that you need to root your phone. The AR3 limitation you mention does not exist if you know what you're doing. I'm typing this message via the AR3 using swipe typing while parked in front of a grocery store. Much better than what Sony is offering with this product. You and the others you mention are way out of the loop, my friend. Look up AppRadio Unchained.
 
#10 ·
This is pretty awesome! Wish it can fit in my old Volvo-S80 (2002)
redface.gif
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackVenom View Post

Isn't this a dying market? I've noticed a lot of new cars whose radio doesn't look upgradable - and the ones that are (and are new) would probably look ugly with an aftermarket in. I just want a damn aux port.
Try GM products? I can't think of any olderish ones that aren't 2din.
Pre '94 Fullsize GM are a good example. It wont fit in my suburban. However nothing a custom console mount wont fix...
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by twitchyzero View Post

Seriously...how did it take companies this long to cash in on smartphone mount in a car?
There has been mounts similar to this for iPhones, ipads and android tablets for a year or two now.

TBH, this thing is fugly. It's bulky and looks like it was made in the 80's - I expect better from Sony...

If I really wanted Android as my headunit in my car, then I'd just buy an actual Android headunit - they've been around for a few years now - something similar like this can be purchased off ebay for <$400 delivered and looks better then that fugly bulky Sony mount.
 
#13 ·
since this product just got listed for preorder...I decided to look up this old thread so sorry for the late response.

Can you tell me which head unit besides this Sony provides a phone dock? I googled to no avail.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DzillaXx View Post

Plus not the first car radio that has a dock-able tablet/phone, but probably the fastest and most up to date android device for a car though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by un-nefer View Post

There has been mounts similar to this for iPhones, ipads and android tablets for a year or two now.
 
#14 ·
Does this mean audio quality over blue tooth to a hi fidelity audio system is viable now? I was under the impression that it sounded horrible compared to directly reading from something like a USB drive or HD, or even AUX input.
 
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