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Kenwood flagship CarPlay and Android Auto multimedia units shipping
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MacNN Staff
Join Date: Jul 2012
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At the 2015 International CES in January, Kenwood introduced the two multimedia units that would serve as flagships for its Kenwood and Kenwood Excelon lines. Today, the manufacturer announced that the Kenwood Excelon DDX9902S and Kenwood DDX9702S Apple CarPlay receivers are shipping to retailers.
The DDX9902S and DDX9702S are currently the only aftermarket receivers equipped with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This enables multiple drivers of the same vehicle to plug in the phone of their choice without having to manually change settings or reset the unit.
The two double-DIN DDX units are designed to be the center of a vehicle's entertainment and information system. A large, 6.95-inch resistive touch display puts navigation, optional back-up camera view with add-on camera, and a variety of audio / video entertainment options on the vehicle's center console. Each is equipped with Bluetooth technology to enable hands-free phone conversations as well as playback of streaming media from a Bluetooth-enabled phone or media device.
Both units also feature built-in HD Radio, an HDMI input with MHL support, and DVD playback. They are also SiriusXM-Ready, connecting to the latest SiriusXM SXV300 Connect Vehicle Tuner featuring functionality such as album art, TuneStart and TuneScan (sold separately, with subscription required). In addition, native control of Pandora and iHeartRadio provide an integrated entertainment interface when using a connected smartphone.
The Kenwood Excelon DDX9902S and Kenwood DDX9702S are now available, with suggested retail prices of $950.00 and $900.00, respectively.
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Dedicated MacNNer
Join Date: Nov 2008
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I would rather have two models available: one with CarPlay and the other with that other system. It can't be that difficult to have two SKUs and not have to pay for that other system in my car.
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Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Portland, Oregon, United States
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Still can't figure out why many of the aftermarket solutions are using resistive touch screens as they don't perform nearly as well as the capacitive touch screens and the most likely customers are ones who have iPhones and will instantly feel that the technology is inferior. For $900 you could easily include the best touch-screen tech available.
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--Laurence
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Managing Editor
Join Date: Jul 2012
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The allowable operating temperature range, both high and low, for many small touch screens is wider on resistive touch.
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Senior User
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Hopefully the video entertainment option shuts down when the engine is started. At least for people in the front seat.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Maitland, FL
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ElectroTech: there aren't "two systems" in these units. There is a relatively tiny bit of "docking" code that says "oh this is Android Auto" or "oh this is CarPlay" and then passes configuration information to the smartphone. That's essentially it. The work is nearly all done on board the smartphone, so it really makes zero sense for manufacturers to make two separate versions when 99 percent of the code is the same. Besides, then they'd be stuck with tons of unsold Android Auto inventory
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Charles Martin
MacNN Editor
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Originally Posted by Flying Meat
Hopefully the video entertainment option shuts down when the engine is started. At least for people in the front seat.
There is a sensor circuit that must be connected to the handbrake and will only allow video to play when the handbrake is on. Fortunately/unfortunately (depending on your viewpoint), one can eliminate that feature with a ~$10 bypass circuit.
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