Sony launched the XAV-AX100 receiver last week and geeky car enthusiasts are excited about the enhanced experience they can have from this device. It comes with smartphone connectivity so you can use it with either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Of course, we’re more interested with the Android Auto integration. With the platform, we can expect you to enjoy the same Android experience but with features more specialized for driving.
This in-car audio head unit’s name may be a challenge to remember but once you have it in your car, you will only be glad that you live in this century. Interface is intuitive and very simple. The voice actions will help you become more efficient in driving without the danger of distracting you. With Android Auto, you can stay focused on the road according to Sony. Even when your favorite music is playing or when you have to change a song, it’s easy to control the Android Auto.
Touchscreen display won’t distract you because of the enhanced visibility and smoother touch operation. Whether you’re driving at night or in broad daylight, you can clearly see what’s on the screen so you won’t have any problem. It’s not as vivid and clear unlike other present displays in the market but the 800 x 480 resolution on a 6.4-inch screen is good enough. It’s just like mounting a tablet on your car’s dashboard for some touchscreen goodness, allowing you to control music playback and access some useful driving apps like maybe Uber, Waze, or Google Maps.
SOURCE: Sony
I think the specs on this says only one rear USB port. It should have at minimum two, to allow for the phone to be connected for Android auto and a thumb drive for songs and other things. It sucks to have to pull the thumb drive to attach and vise versa. A SD card slot for media would be fine also. And lastly check to see how many bands the EQ has along with it’s ability to playback flac files at full range. If your not sure about any of this search around.
The newest version of AA installed on this unit allows for Android auto WiFi connectivity.
Sounds great if you can connect via WiFi and still launch AA. I guess this is part of the AA2 Version. AA is okay, it’s not like a big wow type of thing. This first implementation is really limited. Only certain apps, must be physically connected and not a lot going on on the home screen. The voice activation is awesome! It’s like the best feature. All in all it just needs more polish. I just hope the move to AA2 doesn’t require new decks and marshmallow or higher phones. That would suck.
Thumb drive? Like in 2005? I guess if you have a phone with no sd slot.
But with 200gb available if not 120.. everything being done on the phone is nice with AA.
Yeah, yeah, 2005 thumb drives. It gets the job done. I have a Kenwood deck with android auto now and these are some of the observations I’ve seen. How is it working out for you in your car?
Add a USB hub then.
We will have to see the operation of this unit in the flesh, before we can rule anything out. I’m hoping it has Flac support or it will be a no go.
You can’t connect the phone through Bluetooth?
I’m sure you can, but not for AA. I guess not enough data throughput.