Update: Clarion MiND Gets Colorful

The guys from PC World magazine attended the Computex show not too long ago and got to take a look at an updated Clarion MiND. The latest version looks quite different from the MiND. we got to check out at CES in January. The specs haven't changed much, except now there will be two MiNDs available, a basic model and then a Pro model.

Both models will offer 5.2-inch touchscreen, internet, instant messaging, GPS, YouTube and MySpace apps, a video and music player, and should be compatible with Office some products. The Pro version will add 3G highspeed wireless capability as well. The shape of the MiND has changed since January and multiple colors will be available and in the video after the jump, it also looked like some sort of multicolor print is going to be available too (?). The MiND run about $700 and will start shipping towards the end of the year.

I'll hold off on giving my "official" opinion until I get a hands-on with either the final product or the final prototype. Follow the jump for a few more pics and video.

Cool Things You Cannot Have: Clarion DrivTrax P7DT

We've said it before and we'll say it again... The Japanese get the coolest stuff first.... But that's just the benefit of living in the Mother Country of mobile electronics and gadgets. However, we can look at the latest and greatest coming out over there for hints of what we'll see on our side of the globe in the not-to-distant future.

Take for instance, the new Clarion DrivTrax series. Clarion has always been on the cutting edge of technology and often experiments with different technologies integrated into one device. Remember the AutoPC from years ago, or the original the Clarion NICE? They also announced the MIND in January, which was one of our top picks from CES. The MIND was still in prototype form when we got to play with it, but it's very possible that some of the features you see in the device below will be part of the new MIND.

The DriveTrax P7DT is one of the most advanced PNDs (Portable Navigation Device) available: Bluetooth, DTV tuner with recording capability, GPS navigation with 3D street level mapping, a video player, picture viewer, and a 4.3" touchscreen all powered by a 400 MHz Samsung processor running Windows CE. We've got a great gallery of screen shots and device photos after the jump.

Just a Little Ahead of Their Time....

The new AVIC-F series has sparked a debate over in the SoundDomain forums involving the iPod, mp3/compressed audio, and portable devices. The SD card format kept coming up because of its portability and relatively universal format, and for some reason, this made me think of the Rockford Fosgate RFX-MP8.3. Anybody remember this?

Back in 1999 or so Rockford released the RFX-MP8.3 right about the same time they entered Best Buy. The MP8.3 was a changer designed to connect to Rockford car stereos (yes, Rockford used to make car stereos). It was a great idea in concept, except it only accepted MMC cards rather than SD or compact flash (both of which were more common, and still are today). The unit accepted up to eight MMC cards and included an 8MB card from Rockford, but was limited to 8Kbps to 160Kbps bitrates (fixed or variable).

Clarion also stepped into the future around 1999 with their AutoPC line. This was such a cool concept and nobody else in the industry had anything quite like it.

Pretty Perfect IS300 with Plenty of Punch Inside & Out

Josh and the guys at JML Audio just wrapped up a pretty damn impressive install in a 2002 Lexus IS300. First off, this is no show queen. In the end, the owner wanted a car that was "trackable, showable, and daily drivable". The car is loaded with a complete Clarion multimedia/navigation system with all the trimmings, Dynaudio speakers with custom grilles, Zapco amps mounted on a custom steel rack, Treo subs in custom-fit fiberglass enclosures, and Stinger wiring to tie it all together. But don't go thinking this is an all-show-no-go enthusiast car.... This Lex sports a turbocharged 2JZ motor, standalone Motec M4 engine management system, a HUGE front-mount intercooler, and pumps out about 540hp at the wheels!

A lot of the underhood work was already completed when it arrived, but JML cleaned up some of the previous work and, along with the full ICE install, put in over 300 hours of custom work. So not only did they create an amazing install (pics after the jump), but they also changed out dash lighting, worked on the turbo's wiring, fabricated a custom gauge pod and a battery housing, and added a set of beautiful Recaro racing seats. In the end, the customer was elated with the amazing work JML performed, and for good reason. Check it out for yourself - pics after the jump!

Clarion FB275BT: Back in Black

Clarion had the unique "shark radio" on display at CES with a new addition to the CD-transportless family, with the FB275BT now available in matte black and dubbed the FB275BTB. The FB275 is a Bluetooth enabled radio that accepts the A2DP stereo music profile from enabled devices, so you can stream audio into the 275BT/B from any compatible device (one with A2DP capability). The device can also function as a hands-free Bluetooth interface for your cellphone, streaming the phone call through your stereo speakers. The unit also features a standard rear-RCA input if you want to input something the old school way with an RCA cable, or you can also pipe in your MP3s via an SD card input behind the faceplate.

This is a pretty cool design from Clarion and I applaud them for thinking outside the box. However, I don't expect they'll unload too many of these until it has some sort of iPod control capability and maybe satellite radio capability.