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Alpine Debuts First Aftermarket Wireless CarPlay Receiver

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Alpine today announced the launch of its latest CarPlay receiver, the iLX-107. While Alpine has released several CarPlay receivers in the past, and, the iLX-107 is unique because it is the first aftermarket CarPlay receiver that comes equipped with support for wireless connectivity.

The iLX-107 features a 7-inch VGA display with a capacitive touch screen, a shallow, mech-less body that allows it to fit into most vehicles, support for a range of accessories, and integration with steering wheel controls and a rear view camera.

alpinewirelesscarplay
According to Alpine, connecting an iPhone to the iLX-107 is simple, with just a few setup steps involved. The system uses 5GHz WiFi to connect to an iPhone when in the car.

The iLX-107 gives you the luxury of simply getting and going. It allows you to seamlessly access your iPhone on your vehicle's touchscreen without having to connect a cable every time you get in. Set up is as easy as pairing the wireless Apple CarPlay unit from your iPhone or simply connecting the lightning cable for the first time. Once you go through the extremely easy initial set up, the iLX-107 will automatically connect to the most frequently paired iPhone each time the vehicle is started. The connection "just works" and allows you to get in the car and go without having to stop to take your phone out of your purse or pocket.

Wireless CarPlay functionality was first introduced in 2015, but no wireless infotainment system was available until late 2016, when it was added to the 2017 BMW 5 Series Sedan. Most CarPlay systems, both native and aftermarket, require users to connect an iPhone to a vehicle using a Lightning cable that plugs into a standard USB port.

Alpine is pricing the iLX-107 at $900, making it one of the company's more expensive receivers. It is available starting today at dealers across the country, with Alpine offering a tool on its website to locate a dealer that can install the system.

Related Roundup: CarPlay
Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology

Top Rated Comments

T
TurboPGT!
114 months ago
I've used a few CarPlay systems, and must say, they're not very stable. Systems just turn off (blank screen), causes lag on my phone screen (used as a passenger), and sometimes requires the entire car to be powered down to get it working again.
Not my experience at all. It is incredibly fast, smooth, and reliable.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
OldSchoolMacGuy
114 months ago
I've been waiting for this but keep hearing about how badly wireless CarPlay drains the battery and think I may wait. No point in going wireless with CarPlay if it requires plugging in the charger to offset the huge battery drain.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
larrylaffer Avatar
larrylaffer
114 months ago
Has anyone actually received/used one of these units? Curious to read some reviews...
I have the non-wireless one (the ILX-007 that came out a couple years ago). As far as I can tell, there are no physical differences between that one, and this new one, except for wireless CarPlay. So I can at least review the unit in wired mode.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with it.

Pros:
1. Dedicated Siri button with a textured feel, so it's easy to feel for without having to look at the unit
2. Supports third-party backup cameras. Installation was actually really easy.
3. Setting up the date/time, etc settings on the device are pretty easy.
4. The screen is still visible in glare, as long as you keep it clean.

Cons:
1. The Alpine app that you use to tune the audio is a complete piece of crap, and it's the only way to fine-tune settings. If you have a nice sub and amp like I do, you *need* to use this to set everything up. Luckily, you really only have to do this once.
2. The volume and recue/ff buttons are build into a touch surface, and not real buttons. This kind of sucks because you can't feel for the control. You'll need to look at the unit to adjust volume.
3. No mute button. If you want to mute, you have to hold volume down (it automatically sets vol to 0 after about a second of holding). The downside to this is that you have to turn the volume back up to where you had it before.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
silentaccord
114 months ago
Does anyone know if there's a CarPlay deck available which will allow me to have my audiobook/podcast on the deck, and Waze open on my phone simultaneously? Or vise versa? Apparently this isn't as easy as it sounds.....
Pioneer's AppRadio 4 or NEX models let you have Waze open on the iPhone and your audio source displayed on the head unit but only if you switch out of the CarPlay interface by pressing the Mode button on the Pioneer. I do this every day. The only catch, other than having Waze on the small screen, is that you may have to switch back to CarPlay if you want to change tracks or the audio source and every time you do this, it takes you out of Waze.

Honestly, if you really like Waze, I think the best option today is Pioneer's "AppRadio One" models. They don't support CarPlay but they do Siri Eyes Free (which gives you voice control, Bluetooth calling, Messages dictation, etc.) and you can have Waze displayed on the head unit with just a USB connection to your iPhone.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
Beerstalker
114 months ago
My brand new Jeep Compass has CarPlay and I don't think it is wireless CarPlay. I've tried to figure it out, but nothing seems to indicate that is, or isn't.

Either way, I don't see much practical purpose in it. There isn't much reason for the phone not to be charging while in the car. I get in, plug it in, and put it on my magnetic vent mount. CarPlay takes over from there.

I suppose down the line if there is a Magnetic-Vent-Mount-With-Induction-Charging for iPhone X, that might make me wish there was indeed a wireless CarPlay option in my vehicle. Until then, no.
I'm pretty sure Fiat/Chrysler/Dodge/etc have not put out any vehicles with wireless CarPlay yet.

While wireless CarPlay isn't a dealbreaker for me I can see how it would be nice. I wouldn't always want to plug my phone in every time I get into my car for a 5-15 minute drive. It isn't going to charge much in that time, and I'm sure even CarPlay is not going to drain the battery much in that short of time. But, it would be nice to still be able to continue listen to the playlist/podcast I was listening to etc.

For trips longer than 15-30 minutes then I would definitely be plugging my phone in if I was planning on using CarPlay, even if I had wireless available.

Forgive my simple question but I read the article and checked out Alpines website and I don't see what I'm looking for.

Does this new alpine deck have a DVD player? My current truck has the DVD option on with the factory deck. My kids watch DVDs and I would like to keep that.
Mechless means it does not contain a mechanical disk drive, so no DVD or CD.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I
icrude
114 months ago
Forgive my simple question but I read the article and checked out Alpines website and I don't see what I'm looking for.

Does this new alpine deck have a DVD player? My current truck has the DVD option on with the factory deck. My kids watch DVDs and I would like to keep that.
99% chance this does not have a DVD player.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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