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Apple CarPlay comes to Pioneer NEX car stereos via firmware update

Pioneer is the first aftermarket car stereo manufacturer to offer Apple CarPlay software thanks to updated firmware for the Pioneer's NEX multimedia car receivers.

Headshot of Antuan Goodwin
Headshot of Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin Senior Writer, Electrified Cars
Antuan started out in the automotive industry the old-fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. He now has nearly 20 years of expertise and experience behind the wheel of hundreds of cars, including electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen, and traditional combustion vehicles. For each car he tests, Antuan covers more than 200 miles behind the wheel and evaluates driving dynamics; acceleration and braking performance; range; and efficiency. Antuan's goal is to use his extensive car knowledge to educate CNET readers and help with their next car-related buying decision. Whether you're EV-curious, an EV-enthusiast or a combustion-car loyalist, Antuan will bring you the unbiased advice, reviews, best lists and news you need. You can reach Antuan at antuan.goodwin@cnet.com
Expertise Nearly two decades of testing, driving, reporting on, writing about, reviewing, and editing content about electric and ICE cars. Category focus is on electrified cars, EVs, HEVs, PHEVs, ICE cars, EV infrastructure, EV chargers, EV adapters, EV news, auton Credentials
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Antuan Goodwin
2 min read

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Current and new owners of Pioneer's NEX multimedia receivers can add Apple's latest software via a free update. Antuan Goodwin/CNET

First announced way back in May, Pioneer is finally bringing Apple CarPlay to a dashboard near you via an update for its 2014 NEX series of multimedia receivers. The new software makes Pioneer the first to the aftermarket with a CarPlay compatible receiver and, so far, the only way to get the technology short of buying a new Ferrari FF.

Current NEX owners will be able to download the new firmware and flash it via the receiver's USB input with the aid of a portable memory device. Compatible receivers in the US are the AVIC series 8000NEX, 7000NEX, 6000NEX, and 5000NEX and the AVH series 4000NEX -- ranging from $700 to $1,400. (Check this Pioneer page for models available outside of the US.) Users who aren't comfortable with doing it themselves can bring their car to an authorized Pioneer dealer -- for example, Best Buy's Geek Squad -- to have the CarPlay firmware to updated for them by a professional installer.

Updated receivers will be able to connect via USB to lightning cable to an iPhone 5 or later, including the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, running the latest version of iOS to display and interact with the Apple CarPlay interface on the NEX receiver's large color touchscreen. CarPlay also includes access to Siri voice control for calls, text messaging, Apple Maps navigation, and access to music libraries, podcasts and iTunes Radio.

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Users will be able to transition seamlessly between the Pioneer NEX's onboard software and their iPhone's CarPlay software. Antuan Goodwin/CNET

"CarPlay enriches the iPhone experience in the vehicle by providing a safer way to access the iPhone features they want to use most while driving," said Ted Cardenas, vice president of marketing for the Car Electronics Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. "With Pioneer's implementation, CarPlay can now be integrated into millions of vehicles already on the road."

No official announcement has been made regarding whether we'll eventually see an update to support Google's similar and upcoming Android Auto mode for Android phones, but Android devices (as well as iPhones predating the iPhone 5) will still retain compatibility with the AVIC and AVH NEX receivers via the old App Mode app mirroring system.