Opera meets iPhone for in-car browsing

Opera has released the Pioneer CarBrowser App for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S and compatible with Pioneer’s AppRadio and AppRadio Mode featured in car stereo systems. When combined, with Pioneer receiver models, the Pioneer CarBrowser provides complete in-vehicle access to the Internet.

Consumers already enjoy the Internet on their computers, televisions, mobile phones, and tablets, and now the access to the Web’s endless content is picking up pace in one of the most beloved machines of all — the automobile.

The makers of the Opera web browser Opera Software, have announced the release of the Pioneer CarBrowser App powered by Opera Mini, available on the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S and compatible with Pioneer’s AppRadio and AppRadio Mode featured in-car stereo systems. Combined with numerous Pioneer receiver models, the Pioneer CarBrowser provides complete in-vehicle access to the Internet.

Users can check restaurant reviews, compare prices at the mall, or reseach weather forecasts for future road-trips – all before leaving the driveway or parking lot. With the Pioneer CarBrowser, Internet contents are easily viewable on Pioneer’s large 6.1- or 7-inch touchscreen displays, and optimized for the in-car environment.

“You no longer need to duct-tape your iPad to the dashboard to access the web while on the move,” said Frode Hernes, vice president of products for Connected Devices, Opera Software. “It is exciting to turn the mobile web browser into the automobile web browser. The Pioneer CarBrowser App powered by Opera Mini is an intuitive and responsive browser so you can get the information you need extremely fast and get you going on the road.”

In-car infotainment has come a long way since the introduction of the dashboard radio. Household technologies like the phone and TV have already been integrated into the car. Now the in-car experience has been further enhanced with the ability to access the web.

Although car manufacturers are aggressively offering limited in-vehicle access to the Internet through various apps, they’re generally “walled gardens”, and consumers are clamoring for a more open Internet experience. The Pioneer CarBrowser powered by Opera Mini provides the best Internet encounter with virtually no limitations. To ensure safety, the Pioneer CarBrowser can only be used when the vehicle is parked and the handbrake is fully engaged.

Opera Software also provides the web browsing capability for the in-dash computer system in Ford trucks and vans. Opera Mini shares many helpful features with Opera’s desktop web browser, including tabbed browsing, password manager and Speed Dial shortcuts.

The Pioneer CarBrowser is available for a special introductory price of US$1.99 (normally US$3.99) in the iTunes App Store. For more information, visit www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/AppRadio.

* Follow Gadget on Twitter on @GadgetZA

 email this to a friend
 printer friendly version