CarPlay is Apple’s solution for the car that allows you to make phone calls, send messages and listen to music without holding or using your actual phone. You can either toggle these features by going truly hands-free by using Siri or you can quickly select the application you want to use through the easy to use menu right on your car stereo. This allows for safer operation with fewer distractions. 

2. You can get Apple CarPlay in almost any vehicle

Car manufacturers began using Apple CarPlay in their vehicles around 2015 or later and even when it was first released, it was only reserved for the top trim models; however, just because your factory radio doesn’t have the ability to use this feature, doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get something in the aftermarket that can. We offer a number of car stereos that offer this incredibly useful feature. 

3. Aftermarket car stereos with Apple CarPlay can be fairly affordable 

Although we do sell some $1200 premium head units with Apple CarPlay built-in, we also offer some fairly affordable options for around $300. This means that you won’t have to break the bank to be able to quickly modernize your vehicle.

4. Not all Apple CarPlay enabled car stereos are the same

Although the UI (User Interface) will look the same pretty much across the board, there are certain features that will only be available in more premium head units. In the more expensive models, you will be able to get things like larger touchscreens or wireless Carplay. Most CarPlay enable stereos from the factory or in the aftermarket are only made available via wired Apple CarPlay. Meaning that you have to connect your iPhone to your stereo through a USB cable. 

Wireless CarPlay enables you to connect your iPhone to your stereo by using a shared wifi connection that only premium head units offer. Once you connect your phone to that wifi connection from the head unit, you will be given the ability to enable wireless CarPlay. This eliminates the need for a USB cable.

5. There are other ways to use your iPhone hands-free 

Apple CarPlay is not the only option when it comes to using your iPhone. Many modern vehicles from the last 15 years and every aftermarket car stereo we sell have either an option for USB, Bluetooth, or both. You could then purchase a phone mount for as little as $5 so you place your phone in an easy to see location that won’t obstruct your view of the road. That way you could set your GPS or music playlist before you drive and you can leave it as you drive. Also while driving, you could use the “Hey Siri” feature if you want to change the song, reset the navigation, send a text, or make a phone call.

Now that you have these 5 fast facts for using your iPhone to your car, you are well on your way to getting the most out of your device while driving. Whether you decide to spend $1000 on a new car stereo or just $5 on a new phone mount, there are multiple ways to safely use your device in your vehicle.

The post Using Your iPhone in the Car: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

What is Apple CarPlay?

Apple CarPlay is a smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car. It allows your iPhone (iPhone 5 or later) to completely integrate with your compatible car stereo and bring your iOS experience into the car with ease. CarPlay features Siri Eyes Free mode which allows you to navigate through your phone and apps by voice command, keeping your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. With CarPlay, you can get directions, make calls, send and receive messages and listen to your favorite music without ever reaching for your phone.

How does Apple CarPlay work?

CarPlay works by plugging your iPhone in to your car stereo via USB. It is important to note that CarPlay is on your iOS device and not your stereo. Once connected, a customized version of iOS, designed by Apple, will display on your stereo complete with icons and Siri support. Once connected and running, you’ll be able to control your iPhone through the touchscreen controls of your stereo or through voice commands.

1. Connect Your iPhone to the Stereo Through USB
2. Open Your Favorite Apps
3. Control Via Voice Control or Touchscreen
4. Keep Your Eyes on the Road and off Your Phone

Apple CarPlay is all about being safe while driving. Controlling your phone through voice commands and your stereo stops you from having to reach for your phone to answer a call, check your directions or see what song is playing and leaves your hands and eyes free to concentrate on the road.

The post Apple CarPlay Car Stereos appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

So what makes the Carshow systems so much better? First and foremost, it’s the quality. The fine folks over at Carshow spent some serious time painstakingly researching the exact color match from car manufacturers to make sure your system looks like it came installed from the factory. While most headrest manufacturers only make a few colors, back, grays and tan, Carshow has EVERY color and they even use the same stitching patterns that are in your vehicle. How’s that for quality and care?

So now here’s the thing, let’s say you have a couple kids who can’t ever agree on what they want to watch. One wants to watch My Little Pony, the other wants to watch Justice League so what do you do? Compromise with Spongebob? Na, let them watch their own show. With the Carshow monitors, you can either share the same media or you can watch two separate things on each monitor. One could even listen to music while the other watches a movie. How cool is that?

Carshow understands that not everyone needs the same thing so they made 4 different models for you to choose from. They have a Dual Monitor Only system which do NOT have a built-in DVD player, a Single DVD player system, a Dual DVD player system and a Single DVD player system with an iPod/iPhone docking station. It’ll even interface with your Android Smartphone through the USB port. Boo-ya.

You could go spend your money on an inferior product that won’t perfectly match your interior and is going to lead to battles of epic proportions between who gets to watch what…

OR…

You can treat yourself to something nice that you know is going to last and look great while providing more features than you can shake a stick at. Go ahead and try to shake a stick at all the cool things it does.

At the end of the day you have to ask yourself’ “Do I want to be a cool person with a cool car with exquisite taste who only wants the best for their car, or am I going to settle for less?”

We think we know which one you’ll chose.

The post Show Off Your Car with Carshow Headrests appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

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Audiovox and Dice are pleased to announce that their MediaBridge 1500 line of products now has Siri Vehicle Integration. Siri commands iPhones to choose music content, place phone calls, find directions, and many other useful actions. Speak to Siri as if she were your personal assistant! MediaBridge with Siri Integration improves driver safety plus adds fun and convenient features. Kits are available for many different makes, from BMW  to Toyota.

HOW TO USE SIRI WITH THE MediaBridge 1500

For Siri to work with the MediaBridge 1500, your iPhone must be connected via Bluetooth to your MediaBridge 1500. Siri can control music played via Bluetooth streaming or through the MediaBridge 1500 USB dock connector. VW/Audi SAT and BMW MediaBridge 1500 users press the Voice Dial button on the steering wheel to summon Siri. All other MediaBridge 1500 users press the radio Scan button to summon Siri. After you hear the familiar chime, your spoken commands will be received through MediaBridge 1500 microphone.

Music playback can be sent to different paths on the MediaBridge 1500. To hear music in USB/iPod MediaBridge 1500 mode, select the Dock Connector option on the Airplay button in the iPhone Music app. To hear music via MediaBridge 1500 Bluetooth streaming, select the MEDIABRIDGE option on the Airplay button in the iPhone Music app.

MUSIC PLAYBACK COMMANDS

When Siri is used with Audiovox MediaBridge 1500, a person has complete control over music playback on his or her car audio system. With the press of a single button, your audio control wish is Siri’s command. Siri can tell the MediaBridge 1500 to Play, Pause, Skip, and Stop music. For example, to play a particular song, press the designated MediaBridge 1500 radio scan button or steering wheel button to summon Siri, listen for the familiar chime then say, “Play Sweet Child of Mine” and the song will play. To listen to a playlist say, “Play Club Mix” and your favorite club songs will turn your car to a party on wheels. Music can also be chosen based on other criteria such as Artist, Genre, and Album.

Having trouble deciding which song to play? Let the iPhone choose by commanding Siri to shuffle songs through your MediaBridge 1500. Press the designated MediaBridge 1500 radio or steering wheel button to summon Siri and tell it to, “Shuffle my music” and then you will then hear a random song from your iPhone collection on your car stereo. If you are in the mood to hear a song with a music genre but you don’t know where to start then tell Siri to, “Shuffle Jazz” for instance and all Jazz music within your collection will begin to play in random order. Similar music shuffle controls are available based on Playlist, Artist, and Album. If the currently playing random song isn’t to your liking then simply tell Siri to “Shuffle” and another song will be chosen at random.

Not only can you access your own personal music library with Siri’s help but in iOS6 you can also launch your favorite music streaming application. For instance, tell Siri to launch Pandora and the Pandora App will automatically open and begin to stream. Once a music streaming app is open, the control of music content must be performed using radio or steering wheel buttons.

USING SIRI FOR SENDING TEXT MESSAGES WITH MediaBridge 1500

Through the MediaBridge 1500 interface, Siri will enable you to dictate and send a text message without taking your eyes off the road. For example, to do this you must press the voice button, wait for the chime, then say, “write a text message to Bob.” Siri will then ask you, “What do you want to say to Bob?”Then you must press the voice button again and speak your message so it can be converted to text. Next, Siri will repeat the message back to you to make sure it is  orrect and then Siri will ask if you are ready to send the message. If the message is correct then you can press the voice button one more time, say the word “Send”, and your text message will be sent to Bob. Furthermore, Siri can be set up to read incoming texts as well so that there is no delay in communication with your loved ones and associates.

TIPS ON EFFECTIVE SIRI USAGE WITH MediaBridge 1500 IN CAR

There are additional measures you can take to ensure Siri understands your voice commands most efficiently. For instance, there are language preferences that can be set on the iPhone which configure Siri to understand different English dialects and languages like French, German, and Japanese. Also background noise should be taken into account so you may wish to roll up your car windows or raise the top on your convertible to eliminated noise caused by wind within your vehicle. (Only raise the top on  your convertible when you are stopped) Also to gain access to Siri she must be enabled. To enable Siri open the settings menu and tap “General”, look for and then tap “Siri”, now you should be in a Siri menu where you must switch Siri on. If you need to adjust language settings and other related features, this is all done in the Siri menu as well. When you are finished making changes, close the menu and Siri is ready to assist you.

SIRI FEATURES BASED ON iOS version

Siri has the greatest range of features and capabilities when used with the newest version of iOS which is iOS6 at the time this document was drafted. Therefore, it is best to ensure that your iPhone is using the newest version of iOS. For example, with iOS6 Siri can control music playback when the iPhone is connected to MediaBridge 1500 in locked where iOS5 users do not have this ability. Also iOS6 has a more extensive language support system including different Chinese dialects, Korean, and Italian. In addition, Turn-by-Turn Navigation is available beginning with iOS6 to help drivers negotiate unfamiliar territory or find a swift route to your destination. It is important to note that Siri is only available for the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, the 5th-generation iPod touch, and the 3rd-generation iPad

The post How to Use MediaBridge with Siri Integration appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

Klipsch is a top manufacturer in the headphone industry and the Image ONE Bluetooth cuts no corners on both quality and innovation. With a built-in rechargeable battery the Image ONE Bluetooth is capable of 10 hours of continuous call and music time, and is conveniently rechargeable with the included micro USB charging cable.

Just because this headset is capable of playing music wirelessly for extremely long periods of time doesn’t mean it’s not also capable of playing the music back with perfect clarity. The Image ONE Bluetooth headphones are designed with the most capable technology of today to ensure that your musical or conversational experiences are among your favorite.

When it’s all said and done – convenience is what separates a great pair of headphones from your favorite pair of headphones. The newly designed ear cups and adjustable leather headband allow for long-term wearing and superior comfort. They’re also extremely easy to store with a compact, collapsible design. To add to the convenience, a control system and microphone is built into the headset itself allowing you to control your music wherever you are.

The post Enjoy Hi-Fi Music Over the Airwaves with the New Klipsch Image ONE Bluetooth appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

Apple fans rejoice!  It is once again time to wait in excruciatingly long lines for the latest version of the world’s most successful smartphone.  The iPhone 4 was released over a year ago so it was just a matter of time before we got to see the next one. The iPhone 5 is delightfully improved from the previous model in many ways:

• Has an increased screen size of 4″ & lighter and thinner design
• Increased WiFi speeds and network connectivity
• New A6 Chip for increased battery life and CPU Performance up to twice as fast
• New lightning connector has less pins for increased durability
• iSight Camera has Panoramic capabilities and enhanced HD video recording
• 4G LTE wireless technology
• 3D Navigation with “fly over effect”

Apple will be releasing an adapter (sold separately) for those of you worried about the new connector not being compatible with previous accessories.  This is good news for the car audio industry as well.  All of these new features will allow aftermarket companies to integrate the new features such as the 3d mapping onto units like a future Pioneer App Radio 3 or equivalent.  Additionally, the 4G LTE technology will allow app integration in OEM and aftermarket headunits to run much more smoothly and at faster speeds. The iPhone 5 presale starts Friday, September 14th and will start shipping on the 21st.  Once the iPhone 5 is released expect us to sell all of the available aftermarket accessories for it such as cases and docks.  We can’t wait to get our hands on it and neither should you!

The post iPhone 5 is Almost Here! appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

Kogeto Dot

Have you ever been taking a video on your iPhone and couldn’t fit everything that you wanted too?  This is a problem of the past with the Kogeto Dot!  This panoramic video add-on conveniently attaches to your iPhone 4/4S giving your video a 360 degree lens shot.  The attached lens is lightweight, durable, and can fit in the palm of your hand.  The Free LOOKER app is available in the app store in order to integrate the panoramic lens.  No longer will your videos be dull and 2D!

i.Fuzen HP-1

For all you music lovers out there, this accessory is especially for you!  The i.Fuzen HP-1 is a headphone amplifier, splitter and an extended, rechargeable battery all in one.  It will double your battery life while allowing you to play your favorite tunes with you and a friend.  With full USB pass through capability, this case will allow you to sync flawlessly with iTunes without the need to remove the iPhone.  The sleek and low-profile design makes this accessory one that you cant pass up.

Viper VSM200

If you own a Viper alarm/remote start on your vehicle, then it is possible for you to use your iPhone to remote start or lock and unlock your vehicle with the Viper VSM200.  Simply integrate this with your existing Viper alarms system and have the ability to control features from your iPhone such as trunk release, panic, car finder, and so much more.  You even get into the SmartStart Motor Club which is a Free 24/7/365 roadside assistance that is included with all SmartStart Secure service plans.  How can you pass that up?

Scosche freeKEY

One of the possible short-comings of the iPhone is the small, touchscreen keyboard.  If you’re the kind of person who needs to get a lot of writing done, then the Scosche freeKEY is exactly what you need.  This flexible, water resistant bluetooth keyboard creates a perfect writing surface for long durations of typing.  It is easy to roll up and tuck away allowing it to be used seamlessly on the go.  It includes a retractable cord for further convenience and the compact design makes it easy to use anywhere.

Kicker IK501

Last but certainly not least, the Kicker iK501 is the ultimate iPhone/iPod docking system.  It features two 5″ speaker with two separate 3/4″ tweeters.  Not only that but it features a 6″ square subwoofer on the back.  I’ve had the liberty of hearing this system in person and trust me it will not disappoint.  It plays low frequencies like no ones business and mid and high frequencies that are elegantly present. Also, it has RCA stereo outputs and an auxiliary jack making it a very versatile unit.  What more could you ask for?!

The future is certainly bright for the iPhone and pretty soon they’ll have apps that whiten teeth and perform lasik eye surgery.  Until then, these accessories are the next best thing!

The post 5 Year iPhone Anniversary appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

Aerial7 is well known for their aesthetically pleasing,  active lifestyle headphones.  They have taken  “active” to an entirely new level with their new line of  Sound Disk Beanies. Available in the Sound Disk and Sound Disk Sport variation,  these beanies allow for a fashion friendly way to listen to your favorite tunes while snowboarding or skiing.   From the streets to the mountains, the Aerial7 Sound Disk Beanie merges technology and fashion.


The Sound Disk Beanie has a broad range of functionality.  The ultra-stretchy design is both stylish and comfortable.  The 8.5mm sound disk is compact and allows for a rich and full reproduction of sound.  The speakers are adjustable so you can change the placement based on your activity.  iPhone and Android phone users will be happy to know of the built-in microphone for hands free phone calls.

Available Styles:

• Bonfire (Blue and Orange)
• Mammoth (Antique, Grey, and Purple/Black)
• Mayrhofen (Red and White/Blue)
• Perisher (Black, Aqua Marine, Grey, and Red)
• Toastie (Black and White)

Whether you’re hitting the slopes, climbing the Rockies, or taking a morning jog,  the Sound Disk Sport Beanie will be able to keep up.  The wicking fabric is water resistant which causes the water to evaporate at a rapid rate.  You are able to slide the sound disk over your ear for full engagement or  partially off-set them to be able to hear your surroundings.  This Sports variant is available in Black, Blue, Red, and White.

The post Aerial7 Sound Disk Beanies Now Available! appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

Ever since Apple revealed the iPod back in 2001, those little white earbuds that conveniently come with Apple’s portable media players have been ubiquitous. Heck, it’s near impossible nowadays to walk down the street without seeing several people wearing them. Now, while those earbuds might satisfy the average, casual listener, people who want more impact from their music have to look elsewhere. Well, if you’re one of those people, look no further.

The Klipsch Treatment

Since 1946, Klipsch has been making stellar quality audio products and the Image Series earbuds are certainly a grand addition to their catalog. Specifically, these black S4i earbuds have a frequency range of 10-19,000 Hz, going below and beyond the range of human hearing to reproduce infrasonic elements of your favorite music that you might never have known were there without headphones like these. Plus, with Klipsch’s proprietary noise-isolating technology, you can fully immerse yourself in your music like a true fan* should. These beauties also come with 3 sized pairs of washable ear tips (yes, washable. Aural hygiene is important!): Small, Medium and Large. They’re also available in white: Klipsch Image S4i (White), for those of you who may have grown comfortable with the Apple earbud design.

More Than Just Another Set of Headphones

As if all that wasn’t enough, these Klipsch earbuds also include a 3-button microphone and volume remote on the wire (see above image) for full control of your iPhone, iPod touch or regular iPod (be sure to check the compatibility list in the product description). Don’t feel left out, Android users! Klipsch has earbuds for you, too: Klipsch Image S4A (Black). Android users will want to download the free Klipsch Control App to customize the functionality of your calls and music through the single button remote. Despite that slight difference, both of these models have a 360° pickup mic with advanced echo cancellation built-in, so your callers will be able to hear you well in nearly any environment. If you’re concerned about the tenacity of the cable, fret not dear reader(s). The cable is not only durable, but tangle resistant as well. Who needs all the fussing with knots when all you want is to enjoy music?! Certainly not this writer.

Make sure to pick up a set for you and yours soon, ’cause they’re flying out of our warehouse as we speak! (Well, as I write and you read. You get the point.)

* “Fan” is short for “fanatic.”

The post This Holiday Season, Treat Yourself to Superior Earbud Headphones from Klipsch appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.