Sep 21, 2009 09:00 ET

Pioneer Unleashes the Power of Its In-Dash Navigation Systems with New Free Apple App

LONG BEACH, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Sep 21, 2009 Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today releases its first iPhone® application created for use with Pioneer’s new AVIC-U310BT and AVIC-Z110BT in-dash navigation systems. Pioneer’s AVIC FEEDS App establishes a link between the Apple® and Pioneer products, letting iPhone owners find points of interest or search for destinations ahead of time on their phone and easily access them via Bluetooth® from their Pioneer navigation systems. This eliminates the need to jot down or manually enter address information into the Pioneer unit and allows drivers to receive convenient turn-by-turn voice guidance while still being able to use their iPhone for other purposes.

Through independent research, Pioneer discovered that a significant percentage – more than 22 percent – of registered Pioneer navigation system owners also own and use an Apple iPhone.

“We are continually looking for ways to enhance a driver’s experience by providing high quality navigation and entertainment products that incorporate convenience and safety features,” said Ted Cardenas, director of marketing for the mobile business group of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “After researching what technologies and consumer electronics products our registered owners embrace, we identified a natural opportunity to integrate the features and functions of our navigation systems with Apple’s iPhone.”

Ways to Navigate:

• POI Search - Points of interest (POI) searched through Pioneer’s AVIC FEEDS App can be selected by simply choosing the pin drop of the desired location
• Take a Photo - Photos taken on an iPhone that are geotagged with geographical metadata such as location coordinates can be saved for future use as a POI
• Saved Photos - Geotagged photos sent to users or photos from the internet can be used as a POIs

Destinations created from a POI search or geotagged photos are converted as a phone contact to the navigation system via Bluetooth. Once the phone book is synchronized, the routable contacts are identified by a unique icon that appears next to the contact in the navigation system. By selecting that contact, Pioneer’s navigation system will calculate a route and provide turn-by-turn guidance to that location.

Value of Convenience:

AVIC-U310BT and AVIC-Z110BT owners who want to take immediate advantage of these convenient features can download the Pioneer AVIC FEEDS App for free from their iPhone at pioneerelectronics.com or the iTunes store.

Consumers who have not yet invested in a navigation system or an iPhone can purchase these products for under $700 – the AVIC-U310BT ($599) and iPhone ($99), plus subscription and other fees associated with the Apple device. Pioneer’s AVIC-U310BT is the best value in in-dash navigation, offering robust, full-featured route guidance, CD playback and the convenience of built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and iPod/ iPhone control.

The AVIC FEEDS App is also fully compatible with the AVIC-Z110BT ($1,599), Pioneer’s flagship in-dash navigation AV receiver featuring DVD playback, built-in Bluetooth, voice recognition, text-to-speech guidance, an advanced touch screen interface and more.

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., and its U.S. Web address is www.pioneerelectronics.com. Its parent company, Pioneer Corporation, is a leader in optical disc technology and a preeminent manufacturer of high-performance audio, video and computer equipment for the home, car and business markets. The company focuses on three core business domains including Blu-ray Disc and DVD, navigation and Digital Network Entertainment™.

iPod, iPhone, iTouch and iTunes are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.

Bluetooth a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.

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Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.
Jaed Arzadon, 310-952-2451
jaed.arzadon@pioneer-usa.com
or
Diana Gonzales, 310-952-2401
diana.gonzales@pioneer-usa.com