Alpine Has a Wireless Solution for Apple CarPlay Users

iLX-107 head unit from Alpine doesn’t require a USB cable to connect an iPhone to Apple CarPlay.

The Apple iPhone changed mobile phones when it came out 10 years ago. It’s become so essential to users that it’s transformed automotive infotainment through the Apple CarPlay interface.

There’s one big problem with Apple CarPlay, though. If you want to connect your iPhone to it in your vehicle and use your car’s touchscreen to access things on your phone, such as music or text messages, you have to do that physically, through a USB cable. Not the biggest deal in the world, but in this increasingly wireless and WiFi age, it would make sense if you’re able to have Apple products connect to each other without a hard connection. Alpine’s iLX-107 head unit – compatible with iPhone 5 and later models, and the latest version of iOS – allows you to do just that.

According to our friends at Motor Authority, “Controlled through the unit’s 7.0-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay pairs with your phone by way of a 5.0 gigahertz WiFi connection. Once you do the initial connection setup, the head unit will automatically connect each time you hop in your vehicle.”

ALSO SEE: What Forum Members Have to Say About the Alpine iLX-107

The Alpine iLX-107 comes with three (2V) preouts, one aux input, Alpine’s MediaXpander technology to get better sound out of compressed audio files, and an input for a rear view camera system. A separate iDatalink Maestro module enables users to retain certain factory vehicle features and even view customized vehicle info, such as a selectable gauge screen and a parking assist screen. Thanks to an optional KAC-001 External Accessory Controller, you can use the iLX-107 to control up to eight relay-connected accessories, from the winch to the light bar on your track car’s tow rig.

This convenience doesn’t come cheap, though. The Alpine iLX-107 head unit has an MSRP of $900; the KAC-001 External Accessory Controller costs $250.

via [Motor Authority] and [Alpine]

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