By Amy Gilroy
After months of waiting, Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., LON:BC94) finally unlocked the MirrorLink capability of its popular Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II Android smartphones, prompting JVC to release three new MirrorLink car radios.
Additionally, a pair of recent radios from Sony (Sony Corporation, NYSE:SNE) will also now work with the Samsung phones — the first blockbuster smartphones in the U.S. that are MirrorLink capable.
MirrorLink enables a car radio screen to fully mimic the functions on a phone and control many of those functions for full hands free use of the phone in the car. Don’t expect to watch Netflix (Netflix Inc., NASDAQ:NFLX) while you are driving, because only safe apps will work while the car is in motion.
Although the Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II have been available for months, Samsung only just released an app in the U.S. that will unlock the MirrorLink capability when used with a car radio.
JVC has delayed shipment of the KW-NSX1 announced late last year until the Samsung app release. It will announce Tuesday it is shipping the NSX1 as well as the KW-NSX600, and KW-NSX700 car radios, shown at CES last week.
As JVC (JVC KENWOOD Corp., TYO:6632) states, “The user can take advantage of MirrorLink technology to access apps that have been optimized for in-car use, thereby assuring a safe and comfortable driving experience.”
In Sony’s case, its XAV-601BT and 701HD MirrorLink radios will also now work with the Samsung smartphones.
If you own a Samsung Galaxy SIII or Note II you must download a “Drive Link” app from the Samsung Apps store (soon it will also be on Google Play) to get MirrorLink capability.
The JVC AV/radio models offer Pandora (Pandora Media Inc., NYSE:P) control, Bluetooth and iPhone/iPod control. The NSX700 has a 7-inch screen at an estimated street price of $699.95: the NSX600 has a 6.1 inch screen at $649.95; and the KW-NSX1 has a 6.1 inch screen and detachable face plate. This latter model uses an outboard module for MirrorLink capability at $599.95.
Source: CEoutlook
Amy Gilroy is the Editor of CEoutlook and a Contributing Author to Satellite Radio Playground and Market Playground. Amy has been a fan of car audio longer than she cares to admit. At age 17, she was told an amplifier could make the car radio sound better, and from then on, she was hooked. Prior to launching CEoutlook, she was a Senior Editor at TWICE magazine.
Contact Amy Giroy: agilroy@ceoutlook.com
