The Dashlinq line is headed by a 2Din universal system, but it comes with a larger 6.95 inch multi touch screen than the 6.2 inch of it’s  predecessor model and enables zoom in maps and enlarges pictures and text only by spreading the fingers on the screen. As the only Android™ based car stereo system in its class, the entertainment system is powered by an extra digital signal processor (DSP) for an optimal sound and video experience. Ports for additional monitors and cameras can be found at the backside as same as the ports for subwoofer and speakers. The SD card slot on the front panel provides space for up to 32GB storage for maps, media files and apps.

According to leading car-industry experts, 2013 is the expected year of changes for the entertainment section of the automobile industry. Consequently the simple car stereos of the 90ties will be finely replaced by a driver assistant system, in the form of a driver’s “copilot” assisting the driver with features such as parking assistant, navigation, alarms, hands-free telephony, entertainment and information guides.

Ca-Fi’s Dashlinq is a complete new line and aligns the advantages of an Android™ based car infotainment system with the strength of high-end car stereo systems of the past.

Same as Ca-Fi’s predecessor systems, the Dashlinq line is headed by a 2Din universal system, but it comes with a larger 6.95 inch multi touch screen and enables zoom in maps and enlarges pictures and text only by spreading the fingers on the screen. True to the motto ‘less is more’ Ca-Fi® made another cosmetic change by reducing the control buttons. Beside the ‘eject’ button for the optical drive, Ca-Fi® is following the standards of Android™ devices, with ‘home’, ‘menu’, ‘back, ‘volume’ and the ‘power’ button. In addition to that, a full support of the steering wheel control keys keeps the usual comfort for the drivers.

Equipped with an extra digital signal processor

The Dashlinq line starts with a retail price of Euro 499, – for the universal version, and with this price level Ca-Fi® will reach a greater public and will expand its position in a new automobile trend on the aftermarket.

Home, Menu, Back… Focused on the key function of a modern car infotainment system. Picture: Ca-Fi’s Dashlinq suitable for Volkswagen

TECH SPECS Ca-Fi® Dashlinq 2Din universal:

• OS: Android™ Ver.: 2.3.4
• 6.95” Digital Touch Screen, 16:9 aspect, 800*480pixel
• CPU: Freescale iMX51
• Bluetooth free hands telephony& music streeming
• Steering wheel control support
• Digital Sound Processor
• Dual Zone Support
• Radio Tuner
• 9 Band EQ setting
• Connect with Internet via 3G or Wi-Fi (optional)
• GPS navigation
• AM/FM Tuner: FM/AM/MPX/ Stereo Receiver
• Audio output amplifier: 4*45W Max
• Built in SD reader (up to 32GB)
• USB
• Button back-up light color: Green or Red
• Anti-shock mechanism (ESP)

SCREENSHOTS

New app set for October release

TomTom previews its new navigation application for Android at IFA today. TomTom navigation, map and traffic technologies will be incorporated into the new app.

TomTom’s on-board maps, IQ Routes and HD Traffic will give Android users the freshest map, the fastest routes and the most accurate arrival times. The application is set for release in October 2012.

“We aim to make TomTom content and services available to as many devices and platforms as we can,” says Corinne Vigreux, Managing Director at TomTom. “Bringing TomTom navigation to Android smartphones is, therefore, a significant milestone for us.”

This announcement follows the recent release of the TomTom Hands-free Car Kit for Smartphones. The kit allows users to charge their phone and mount it in clear view. An in-built speaker then delivers the highest quality audio for loud and clear navigation instructions and calls.

More details, pricing and availability will be announced closer to the launch date.

In autumn 2011, Innotrends announced it was launching the world’s first Android platform 2Din in-car infotainment system, the Ca-Fi 620800 Universal. Since then, there have been similar products launched with varying degrees of success but most have followed similar specifications in terms of hardware and software. A few of the larger players in the automotive and car audio industries are also putting in their chips towards Android, albeit, not at the same pace as would have been expected.

The new Ca-Fi 621000 Universal will be a significant upgrade over existing products on the market. Currently Ca-Fi products on the market are running on Android 2.2 with an 800 MHz processor supported by 256MB of RAM. The Ca-Fi 621000 Universal runs on Android 2.3 and comes with a 1.0 GHz processor with 512 MB of RAM. Hands-on testing feels much faster than the hardware indicates and is a big improvement over what is available on the market.

That said, the main improvement to the current Ca-Fi and other products on the market is the switch from pressure resistive screen to a capacitance screen (same as most leading tablets on the market). This makes the usability improve significantly, as the use of a stylus is no longer needed, nor hard pressing, as is common with resistive screens.

Other improvements of note are an improved graphical user interface (GUI) that is more logical and easier to use and OBD2 connectivity.

In this sense, the Ca-Fi unit running on Android 2.3 is unique amongst all peers supported by Android on the market. With an OBD2-USB cable, the Ca-Fi 621000 can connect to the electronic control unit of most vehicles following the OBD2 standard protocol. For the layman, this means the new Ca-Fi unit can talk to your car’s computer (for most cars built after the year 2000). This OBD2 connectivity is what most modern mechanics use to read default engine codes, read engine data and check emissions. To make the best use of this OBD2 connectivity, there is a pre-installed fully licensed version of the Android App Torque that can provide OBD2 data for supported vehicles. Torque is the leading OBD2 Android App market app and this version was customized especially for this product.

Along with all these new goodies, the new Ca-Fi 621000 2Din will support the normal array of functionalities we expect in a high end car audio unit such as DVD/CD, GPS, hands free calling, music streaming, internet connectivity, rearview camera, steering wheel controls along other AV input/output expandability. Moreover, with simple kits available at most car audio dealers, the 2Din standard size universal unit will fit in most modern generation North American and European vehicles.

Pre-order will be announced prior to the end of the July with some limited availability for those that pre-order the new capacitance screen supported Ca-Fi 621000 Android infotainment unit. The product retails for 999 USD and first shipments will be delivered end of August.

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AndroidPIT has been tested on Ca-Fi products and has proven itself useful. Key points are that you have a very high number of Apps available, access to the AndroidPIT Forum, more payment options and a 24 hour return policy included. For more information, please visit AndroidPIT App Center