At CES in Las Vegas in January, we mentioned the radio Parrot Asteroid, who also won an award at this show. Revolution in the field of car audio, the Asteroid provides access to Internet services by car. The Parrot Asteroid just to be veiled in France. Before his full test scheduled for early May, we'll present in detail!
The high-tech car par excellence!
Internet car is not new! Right, but until then, only Car PC and car radios Double DIN PC allowed to use the Internet to the dashboard. But assembling a PC, the program is not accessible to everyone, and it is relatively expensive. More recently, BMW and Audi have introduced high-end cars with radios accessing the Internet. But again, these cars are not for everyone's budget. By creating the Asteroid-based operating system Android, Parrot offers the reach of many consumers, a car can benefit from Internet services while driving!
It is not surfing the Net, that, one can do it comfortably with a Smartphone, a touch pad or a netbook, via 3G. The Parrot Asteroid aims to provide Internet services really useful to the driver. Asteroid in place less than 300 Euros, Parrot democratizes car of the future!
Command, the Asteroid obeys!
Specialist in Bluetooth and voice recognition, Parrot course with his unit of these technologies. Thus, we can call a contact without releasing the steering wheel. Even better, the voice command can even search for music in many musical sources of the Asteroid. No need for vocal learning, the system was designed to recognize the differences in pronunciation. Simply press the voice command key located on the front, and follow the signs to the car stereo to give it orders. Also note that Bluetooth enables downloading the phonebook and display the contact picture. High-tech par excellence, is dedicated to the Asteroid sources nomads.
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| Internet radio, USB drives, iPod / iPhone, Asteroid is compatible with new technologies |
The Asteroid has 4 USB ports. We can use one to read a key or hard drive. Another is dedicated to controlling the iPod / iPhone playlist management and displays album covers. It also has an auxiliary input to connect any MP3 player or even a CD player for the most addicted to the silver slab. Finally, behind the faceplate, it has an SD card reader and SD-HC. Of course, all sources are accessible by voice command. And two USB ports? They are dedicated to the GPS antenna and supplied with a USB 3G for internet access. The Asteroid is not a car navigator, but thanks to the connection and the GPS antenna, there are services dedicated to car travel.
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| Behind the removable front panel, it has a SD reader and SD-HC |
6 applications are installed as standard!
The advantage of Android is that it is an operating system allowing easy development of applications. Open Source and Multi-platform, Android corresponded perfectly to the needs of Parrot. 6 applications are installed on the device. For music, there Liveradio for Internet radio and podcasts, and Deezer for music streaming. If you want to listen to an artist that we did not stand in his nomadic, just say the name, and the asteroid will look on the Net. Of course, this requires a subscription to a key with a 3G operator. The Asteroid is also equipped with Google Maps for geotagging of the car on a map. From here you can search for POIs around the car (restaurants, cinemas ...). Available parking allows you to find the nearest parking the car. With Essence Eco, the Asteroid us to save money, since the application compares the prices of the stations closest to the car. Finally, iCoyote notify you of the presence of fixed and mobile radars. iCoyote is one month free, then it will subscribe to the site of Coyote, as for all other systems using Coyote.
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| Coyote is one of the applications installed on the Asteroid |
Other applications are under development and will be available in the year on the Parrot website. Updates to the radio all simply by SD card or USB stick. Finally, for conventional radio functions, the asteroid has an FM RDS tuner, an amplifier 4x55 Watts, a 7-band equalizer, 2 line outputs for power amps and compatibility with the original steering wheel controls. Interfaces, steering wheel controls are being developed and will be available as an option. With its 3.2-inch color screen providing a comfortable readability, the asteroid is so beautiful and practical. From a beautifully designed, high purity and high-tech as Parrot is accustomed to its products, the risk Asteroid quickly arouse lust. No worries, it is protected by a detachable faceplate with carrying case partial. Located at 299 Euros with its technology, the Parrot is the first Asteroid connected consumer. We were able to manipulate the presentation on a Renault Megane and appreciate the benefits, but we will present a full test in early May!
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| Control their iPod by voice command, more difficult to practice |
