Parrot's ASTEROID Connects Your Car to the Web

This car receiver is based on Google's android OS and can connect to Internet services via a 3G connection like TuneIn Radio, Wikango and more. It also sports 4 USB ports, an SD card slot and Bluetooth for syncing music and addresses.

Mobile phone wireless peripheral manufacturer Parrot revealed on Thursday its ASTEROID Single-DIN car receiver, a handy gadget for your ride that combines advanced hands-free telephony and Internet connectivity. The device is based on Google's Android OS and will initially offer six applications here in the United States once it launches in October including Geo-location (Maps, Roadtrip), driving assistance (Wikango, Weather), contact management (TextFriendly) and music (TuneIn Radio).

According to Parrot, a GPS dongle will be supplied with the product, but consumers will be required to supply their own 3G adapter for accessing the Internet. Once connected, users can listen to music from various sources including a thumb drive via 3 USB ports, Apple's iPhone /iPod via another USB port, an MP3 player, an SD card and online radio stations thanks to 3G. Music files can also be sent to the car receiver from a mobile phone and via Bluetooth (2.1+EDR) stereo A2DP. ASTEROID even offers the functionality of a traditional car receiver with a FM/AM tuner and RDS text+ service.

And because Android is an open-source platform, additional applications will be added later on. "With ASTEROID, Parrot has developed the first car receiver working on Android operating system and offering a multiplatform compatibility," the company said. "Android corresponds perfectly to the positioning of Parrot products. Further, in simplifying the development of applications, Android succeeds in attracting a large number of developers worldwide. This extremely active community already creates thousands of applications; some of them could be adapted and loaded onto the Parrot ASTEROID."

A dedicated button on the faceplate activates voice recognition for searching out specific artists or albums without lifting a hand off the steering wheel. The Android receiver can also be paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth to synchronize and automatically update its phonebook. Unsurprisingly, all four USB ports are mounted on the back of the device, so users would need to plug in USB cables first before installing the device into the car’s dash. The same applies to the iPhone/iPod cable and the Line-In cable.

"ASTEROID is addressing the market of automotive accessories," the company said. "Parrot also proposes the FC6100 module which enables car manufacturers and equipment manufacturers to integrate it as an original equipment in any car and will offer hands free systems, multi-connectivities, access to services and web application capabilities from the Parrot ASTEROID."

Parrot ASTEROID will be available in October 2011 at the recommended retail price of $349 USD. To see the actual specs, head here.