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Kenwood intros iPhone-friendly car head unit

updated 01:30 pm EST, Fri December 19, 2008

Kenwood intros I-K50 deck

Kenwood on Friday introduced its I-K50 in-car head unit with support for Apple's iPod players and the iPhone 3G via its front-mounted USB port. The I-K50's CD drive will play back MP3, WMA and AAC-encoded files, while the USB port will allow users to plug in USB flash memory keys loaded with the same supported types of audio formats. Plugging in iPods, including the classic, nano or touch, will allow users to control them via the head unit's controls instead of the music player's own controls, making it easier for drivers to focus on the road. Users can search the music collections stored on their iPods, iPhones or USB keys alphabetically via the head unit.

The new head unit's integrated amplifier is rated at a maximum power rating of 50W x 4 and has a built-in dB equalizer PRO function that lets users dial in a two-step bass boost. Users with audio players other than Apple's can also plug them into the I-K50 via the front-mounted auxiliary stereo input jack. The head unit includes an AM/FM tuner and saves up to six presets in memory.

Due for a mid-January release in Japan, the head unit will cost the equivalent of about $260; a US launch hasn't yet been mentioned. [via Impress]




 
Previous Comments

3G?

12/19, 02:21pm reply

Why only the 3G iPhone?

gudin

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: May 2000

0

what no bluetooth?

12/19, 07:58pm reply

How will I connect my bluetooth keyboard?

ggirton

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 1999

0

Yeah, 3G?

12/19, 09:33pm reply

I agree with gudin. If it connects via USB, what's different about a 3G than a 2.5G?

loudpedal

Junior Member

Joined: Oct 1999

0

iPhone Compatible?

06/10, 03:19pm reply

There shouldn't be a problem with the original iPhone. I have a Kenwood head unit in my wife's car. It's not iPhone compatible but if you plug one in the phone asks if you want to go into airplane mode, you say no and everything works perfectly. The only difference I see in this is it tells the iPhone that it's cool, and just work right.

killmickey

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2009

0

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