Pioneer AVIC-N4

Pioneer today rolled out its AVIC-N4 full-size nav system for cars. Although it opts for storing map data on DVD instead of hard drives, the N4 frees the slot for audio and movies through a rare memory system that caches information for just the trip ahead; it also allows for over 12 million points of interest, far more than traditional SD cards. Owners can also do more than just play traditional CDs and DVDs, Pioneer says. Built-in decoders handle DivX video as well as audio in AAC, MP3, or WMA form. The new AVIC will intelligently control attached iPods and Sirius or XM satellite radio tuners, but gives XM subscribers live traffic updates with a supporting XM NavTraffic tuner.

Bluetooth has also been upgraded in the new system. Attaching Pioneer's Bluetooth adapter adds hands-free calling for most cellphones but now also sees the introduction of A2DP support: any phone or Bluetooth media player can beam stereo sound to a car's speakers without need for an auxiliary input jack and providing basic pause/skip control of tracks through the N4's interface.

Pioneer has yet to say when the new nav system will be available, but plans to sell the entertainment hub for $1,600.

By Electronista Staff