Blaupunkt launched its first android based double-din multimedia navigation system for the aftermarket - the Cape Town 940. The system is based on the android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean operating system and is characterized by a large 6.8" capacitive touch screen display.
The Cape Town 940 boasts of internet connectivity via WiFi, smart phone integration for complete command and control of smartphones via the radio, android music player app, HDMI/MHL, independent rear seat entertainment zone, Bluetooth Twin connect which means two phones can be connected simultaneously, however, there is the option to choose which would be the phone you want to dial from. The company has priced it at Rs. 54990.
Blaupunkt also offers an optional all India map on SD card which provides connected navigation with live traffic updates for select cities (Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai), speed alerts, lane guidance et al. The navigation has been sourced from Map My India and is available at an additional cost of Rs. 3999.
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The radio also comes with a cool Mirror Mode feature that allows users to project the screen of their smartphones onto the radio display with complete control of Apple and Android phones via the radio. Thus, all the functionality and applications on their phone are immediately streamed on the in-dash radio and to rear screens.
Pankaj Jagwani, Managing Director, Blaupunkt India said "Connected car features are increasingly desirable to the customer and OEMs struggle with finding a robust reliable solution to realize this functionality in the near term. The company has OEM android platforms in active production since 2012 and is currently developing next gen android radios for several leading OEMs in Asia and internationally, with a number of launches planned in the near future."
With Google and Apple both working on their own in-car entertainment programs, Blaupunkt's effort to enter this field is laudable. The company plans to approach OEMs with this product too and say that it is customizable and has already been introduced in Malaysia.
