Subaru introduces smartphone integration for the 2012 model year

Including Facebook and Twitter updates via text to speech- Online  Monday, September 26, 2011 (0) Comments | Print friendly | Email Us

TORONTO, – Subaru Canada, inc. and Pioneer Electronics of Canada have teamed up to offer a navigation system that allows users on select Legacy, Outback, Forester, and WRX STI models to be connected to social networks, local searches, and traffic services while keeping their focus on the road.

At a time when consumers can take their personal devices with them virtually anywhere, including the automobile, Subaru is helping to make it easier and safer to integrate these devices into the car environment. the new in-dash navigation keeps drivers entertained, informed and up-to-date with smartphone connectivity to Aha Radio for Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, Traffic, Podcasts, and App Mode. Sirius satellite radio is also included with a free 3-month trial

Aha Radio

The Pioneer in-dash navigation system is the first to conveniently connect drivers to the world around them with on-demand, interactive, personalized radio. Via an iPhone™ 4 with the free Aha Radio mobile app, users can listen to the latest traffic conditions, listen to Facebook and Twitter updates, access hundreds of podcasts and other services such as the “Hungry” and “Coffee” stations that deliver real-time vicinity search results and directions to preferred restaurant categories listed on Yelp. Aha Radio offers over 100 stations, including podcasts, that can be conveniently accessed and controlled directly from the display.

App Mode

The App Mode feature, which can be accessed only when the vehicle has the parking brake engaged, lets users view a connected iPhone’s video (Quicktime) content from Safari, as well as YouTube and other select apps, directly on the larger 6.1-inch high resolution screen.

The new Pioneer audio unit features 4GB of flash memory, a 6.1-inch WVGA touch screen display, a 3D graphics accelerator, DVD playback, built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming, a USB port for iPod/iPhone connectivity, and a micro SD card slot. for users travelling to the United States, the system is HD Radio ready. (This unit also features full control of Pandora Internet radio when listening through the Pandora app on an iPhone, should Pandora become available in Canada.)

Bluetooth functionality requires a compatible Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone. for more details about compatible Bluetooth devices, go to pioneerelectronics.com/BluetoothCompatibility. for a list of compatible USB devices, go to pioneerelectronics.com/USBCompatibility.

For more information about the entire Subaru lineup, including the vehicles equipped with the new smartphone-compatible navigation system, please go to Link.