X
  • Cars
  • Car Accessories
  • Car Accessories

JVC Kenwood joins the Android Auto, Apple CarPlay party at CES 2015

The new DDX9902S joins the ranks offering Google and Apple's unique brands of smartphone integration at CES 2015.

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
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
Antuan Goodwin

Antuan Goodwin/CNET

LAS VEGAS -- Car stereo manufacturer JVC Kenwood is joining the ranks offering Google and Apple's unique brands of smartphone integration with the announcement of the Kenwood DDX9902S.

The DDX 9902S will feature both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support when it ships, in addition to Kenwood's full array of digital media sources. We've already seen how both of these smartphone connectivity systems work, and the Kenwood unit packs no surprises. Simply connect a supported iPhone 5 or 6 or Android Lollipop device and the receiver's interface will automatically give touchscreen control over to the smartphone.

dsc04372.jpg
The DDX9902S handles Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Antuan Goodwin/CNET

In addition to the Apple and Google systems, the DDX 9902S is a fully featured in-dash multimedia receiver with a full gamut of audio sources, including USB, built-in control for Pandora and iHeart Radio, and more. The receiver also features an MHL-compatible HDMI input and is upgradable to support Wireless HDMI. MirrorLink, however, appears to be missing from the list of supported protocols.

JVC Kenwood has announced neither a date of availability nor a price for the DDX9902, but we expect the unit to hit the market in mid-2015, just in time to do battle with Pioneer's second-generation NEX models and Parrot's RNB 6.