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CLARION LAUNCHES 1st ANDROID-BASED FULL AUTOMOTIVE GRADE CAR STEREO



PENANG, 27 March 2012: Clarion Malaysia has launched the Clarion Mirage – the first

Android-based full automotive grade car stereo.



Equipped with a 6.5-inch screen and the iconic Android touch-screen graphical user

interface (GUI), the Clarion Mirage is an integrated audio-visual-navigation (AVN) unit that

was conceived and developed in Clarion Penang, Malaysia. It offers connectivity to an

Android or iPod device via Bluetooth streaming or a USB connection for content streaming, playback and hands-free in-car telephony.



The Clarion Mirage also offers playback of AV content – audio files, video files and digital still

images – direct from a SD/SDHC card or a USB device. Its other key features include an in-

built Navigon navigation system, AM-FM radio with RDS and Clarionʼs proprietary VAPS 3D

digital sound processing system.



Clarion Malaysia managing director T.K. Tan described the Clarion Mirage as "a smart car

stereo."



"Anyone who uses an Android cell phone knows that it is much more than just a device to

make and receive calls. It is a smart phone. Similarly, the Clarion Mirage is more than just

your typical car stereo. It is a smart car stereo that is upgradeable," he said at the global

launching ceremony of the product here today.



Tan said the Clarion Mirage was "Malaysian by birth, but it is also, in form and function, a

technology product for the global market in this second decade of the 21st Century."



"This product was conceived in Penang, Malaysia, with full development support from our

Clarion HQ in Japan and the Malaysian Government. It is only right that we launch it right

here, today. That said, the Clarion Mirage was developed in collaboration with our renowned

global technology partners," he added.



Wind River, a world leader in embedded and mobile software and a wholly owned division of

Intel Corporation, assisted in the development of the unitʼs customised Android software

platform and provided software integration.



Navigon AG, a Garmin company, provided the navigation engine and helped Clarion

Malaysia to compile, for the first time, a seamless regional map for Thailand, Malaysia and

Singapore.



Meanwhile, Plextek Ltd, a UK-based research and development company, collaborated with

the Clarion R&D Team to complete the designing of the hardware.



VIPs who were present to witness the global launching today include Georg Doll (Vice-

President/General Manager, Automotive Solutions, Wind River Germany) and Ian Murphy

(Technical Director, Plextek Ltd).



Tan said the Clarion Mirage was a full automotive grade (or original equipment manufacturer) product that would be marketed to car manufacturers and assemblers worldwide.



"In order to qualify the Clarion Mirage as a full automotive grade product, we have had to

design, develop and test it to meet international automotive standards for quality and safety. Only then do we dare to market it as a full automotive grade product to car manufacturers or assemblers worldwide for placement in new cars," he said.



"Since the introduction of Android smart phones and tablets, those of us who love our tech-

toys have asked what it would be like to put an ʻAndroidʼ in a car. Today, Clarion Malaysia

has answered that question with the Clarion Mirage.



"We are launching the first Android-based car stereo that is upgradeable and fun, yet safe

enough and reliable enough for car manufacturers and assemblers to put in your next new

car," he added.



Clarion Malaysia designs and manufactures automotive audio and video products and

related accessories. It also serves as the regional sales and marketing headquarters for the

Asian, Middle East and African markets.