Did Pioneer design its forthcoming in-car AppRadio to look like the iPhone? Looking at that mock-up screen above, it's hard to say otherwise -- and the company isn't denying it either.
Though the icons on that 6.1-inch capacitive touchscreen mockup might seem like those on the iOS interface, the AppRadio is not running Apple's smartphone operating system. However Pioneer claims it's "exactly like the iOS experience," with the iPhone seamlessly blended into the proceedings, according to CrunchGear.
Connect an iPhone to the AppRadio using an Apple dock connector cable, and it will use the iPhone's cellular connection as well as any of its contacts and music. Pioneer's apps will include Pandora, iHeartRadio, some unspecified social media apps -- and probably many others if Apple lets the company get away with it.
The hardware boasts all the accoutrements befitting a higher-end automotive head-end unit, such as Bluetooth connectivity, GPS, a rearview camera port and a microSD card slot through which additional apps can be added to the radio.
Our take: This is getting close to our dream car stereo. What we'd really like to see is technology GM alluded to when I recently visited the company in Detroit. GM's goal: as soon as you sit in the car, your smartphone communicates with the car, wirelessly downloading contacts, music and any other data automatically.
But our dream car stereo would go one step further, with a screen that duplicates whatever is on the iPhone's screen. For that to happen, Apple would need to get more actively involved in car stereo.
There's one other issue: This kind of in-car infotainment is so distracting, it may well cause more accidents.