Pioneer AVH-1300NEX

Pioneer Electronics Inc. is expanding its NEX product line with five in-dash multimedia receivers that are intended to integrate with iPhone and Android smartphones. HD Radio is available on some of them.

The company says the double-DIN 7-inch LCD AVH-2330NEX and AVH-2300NEX and double-DIN 6.2-inch LCD AVH-1330NEX and AVH-1300NEX models add connectivity and access to entertainment options, while the AVH-3300NEX expands the line-up into the smaller, single-DIN in-dash receiver size, providing a smartphone connectivity solution that fits into many older and collectible cars.

Below are some of the highlights of the new models.

All feature Bluetooth wireless connectivity with compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices. Users are able to pre-register up to five smartphones with the receivers. Also, each receiver features Bluetooth AVRCP 1.6 to provide browsing capability of a user’s media library, and HFP 1.6 with wideband speech for clearer overall sound quality.

The AVH-2330NEX and AVH-1330NEX feature HD Radio tuning, providing digital reception and multicasting programming from participating radio stations.

When a driver plugs in his or her smartphone to the receiver, the unit detects whether the phone is an iPhone or Android device and brings up the corresponding service on the screen.

The AVH-3300NEX, AVH-2330NEX, AVH-2300NEX feature Android Auto integration, allowing consumers to connect compatible smartphones running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or newer operating systems.

Consumers with the latest version of iOS on their iPhone (5 or newer) device can use Siri voice control to control CarPlay.

Users can control the Spotify, Pandora, Waze and other apps, as well as SiriusXM (with a separate paid subscription).

When connected to an iPhone, iPod, portable USB drive or compatible Android device via the USB port, users can use basic controls and display track, artist and album information. Android devices must run OS 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or newer with Android Media Transfer Protocol.

Pioneer’s NEX receivers will be available in July. Suggested retail prices are $600 (AVH-3300NEX), $500 (AVH-2330NEX and AVH-2300NEX)and $400 (AVH-1330NEX and AVH-1300NEX).