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The new Pioneer AVIC-T10 comes loaded with many nice features, unfortunately, it is set to release only in Japan for the time being. The AVIC-T10 comes with a 5.8-inch VGA touch screen, 4GB of internal memory, Bluetooth capability for hands free calling, and has HSDPA support. To use that, you have to connect your device through your phone. Additionally, it comes with a TV 1Seg tuner, has decent format support including WMA, MP3, and AAC. It also comes with many useful services including Smart Loop Traffic Congestion Information, Parking Availability Information, Gasoline Price Information, and PinPoint Weather reports. My guess is that the first service, the Smart Loop Traffic Congestion Information provides traffic updates, the Parking Space service lets you know where there are available parking spots (that’s pretty cool), the Gasoline service lets you know where the cheapest gas in the area is, and the PinPoint service updates you on the weather. The last service is called the Rendez-Vous service, which basically chooses a convenient meeting place if you want to meet with your friend. It finds out that convenient place by searching through emails sent and received by the same person. All in all, it comes with some pretty nice and unique services. No word on exact pricing at this time, but hopefully it remains relatively inexpensive.

Via [Akihabara News]

The last GPS announced by Pioneer, is probably the best one they announced so far. It combines all the features present in the AVIC-F900BT as well as the AVIC-F700BT and then some. Some of the new features include 3D landmarks and the audio quality is greatly improved, with Hi-voltage pre-outs. Otherwise, like all of the AVIC-F series, it comes with a 5.8-inch WVGA screen, 12 million points-of-interest and of course Bluetooth.

Larry Rougas, Vice President of marketing and product planning for the mobile business group, has this to say regarding the AVIC-F GPS units:

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Pioneer recently came out with the NavGate AVIC-F series and so far we have the NavGate AVIC-F900BT, and now we have the NavGate AVIC-F700BT, which overall is pretty similar.

It is missing key features such as built-in MSN Direct, and it is only CD compatible and not DVD compatible. Of course, not many people are likely to use a CD since it is already iPod compatible and you can also add your own songs via SD or USB. Additionally, both models will need a 2-DIN radio slot and to use the iPod function, it is necessary to purchase a CD-IU230V cable, which is not included. Likewise with the F900BT, it will also start shipping in June, but it will be less expensive, as it will retail for $850.

Via [NaviGadget]

Pioneer, a manufacturer of high end GPS, recently came out with the NavGate AVIC-F900BT, and a few other, related GPS units. The AVIC-F900BT comes with a lot of notable goodies and if you want a GPS that does much more than basic navigation, and want a high quality one, then this is one to definitely consider.

Some of the main features include iPod compatibility, MSN Direct, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity for hands free calling, XM and Siruis radio, CD slot, DVD playback, and in general audio and video from USB and SD memory expansion. With all of these features, it is a great way to keep everyone in the car entertained. One of the best and most advanced feature this device has is its voice recognition technology. Basically, it can remove any unwanted words such as “um, uhh” or anything else along those lines. In addition to that filtration system, it even allows you to control music, make calls, and other basic commands.

Unfortunately, the cost is rather high, as it will run you around $1100, it is set to start shipping in June. High price tag aside, it still looks to be one of the best GPS units on the market.

Via [NaviGadget]

Hoping to turn around its unprofitable TV business, Japanese auto and consumer electronics manufacturer Pioneer has decided to halt the production of its 42-inch plasma panels and other smaller sizes effective March 2009.

According to the Asahi newspaper, it will purchase these smaller panels from other established players like Hitachi and Panasonic maker Matsushi ta Electric Industrial. On other hand, 50 inches or larger plasma panels will still be manufactured at other plants.

It is undeniable that Pioneer is no match against its bigger players such as Matsushi ta and LG Electronics in this segment. This year, the company’s sales target is 480,000 units of plasma TVs or a mere 10% of Matsushi ta’s 5 million annual target. 

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Just yesterday in Europe, the Pioneer AVIC-F500BT, which is now known as the NavGate 500 was announced officially. This new GPS is a very nice one but is sure to cost you a lot of Euros, but if you’re looking for a high end model, this is definitely one to consider.

It starts off with its nice, big touch screen, which measures in at 5.8-inches. It has a 800x480 pixel WVGA resolution, which is similar to the HP iPAQ 310, and the Garmin Nuvi 5000. Other features include Bluetooth capability, RDS/TMC module for live traffic information, voice prompts, a 600 MHz processor, and a SiRF Star III GPS chip. 

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There is little doubt that the new DV-310 and DV-410V are neat looking DVD players, with the DV-410V giving consumers a simple connectivity solution via HDMI as well as video upscaling to 1080p for compatibility with new flat panel displays, but I am not convinced that it is desirable or necessary to have one in every room. The fact that a front panel USB port on both players gives consumers the ability to enjoy music, photos or video stored on a USB key in high quality doesn’t really persuade me as I just think that there are some times and places that you should just be able to switch off and get away from technology and enjoy a good old fashioned book, or even a conversation with another real person!

But that is just me. As DVD players go these have some pretty good features:

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The new VSX-518-K, VSX-818V-K, VSX-918V-K and VSX-1018TXH-K A/V receivers from Pioneer all incorporate new proprietary amplifier technologies that “ensure maximum power from multi-channel sound formats while maintaining clean audio with impressive THD specifications.”

At the top end the VSX-1018TXH-K, will support 130 watts over 7.1 channels using a Direct Energy power supply, HDMI upscaling to 1080p, six digital inputs, and support for the lossy Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution, and lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs. Below that the range uses newly developed Pioneer Hybrid Amplifier Technology (P.H.A.T.) power module that “improves fundamental audio to a more powerful and accurate performance designed to exceed the capabilities of current comparably priced A/V receivers in the market.” They also benefit from temperature compensation technology that prevents temperature fluctuations from affecting output that can distort surround sound performance.

As you would expect from high quality receivers the top three models offer robust high definition connectivity options for nearly every home theater component, including a USB port to connect your iPod. Each receiver offers full sound processing of Dolby Digital, DTS and Windows Media Audio 9 Professional formats for supreme audio playback of movies, home movies, portable music and more.

The VSX-518-K is priced at $199, the VSX-818V-K at $249, the VSX-918V-K at $349, all releasing in April, and the VSX-1018TXH-K will come to market in June for $599.

Via [Pioneer]

Over at the Pioneer Booth this year, we’ve been liking what we’ve seen.  For over a year now, the company has been touting their high-end KURO line of projects.  At this year’s CES, the company has show their latest concept Plasma’s, and hight-end home audio equipment - which takes the branding Pioneer ELITE.  Their big marketing pitch this year is that they’re “ending the conversation about contrast ratio, a debate that has been in existence since television was first introduced, and creating a flat panel display so thin it becomes a canvas for entertainment.” It’s a whole lot of marketing talk, but at the same time, their new Extreme Contrast Concept was quite impressive.  We’ve put together some photos of their CES 2008 booth, so check out the Photo Gallery below…

Check out the gallery: CES 2008 Booth Tour: Pioneer

Earlier today, I had the chance to sit in on Pioneer’s KURO Booth Theater, where they showed their Extreme Contrast Concept extension to the KURO line.  If you’re not familiar with the KURO line, it is a very high rated line of Plasma TVs - which are essentially le creme de la creme in the industry today. 

Pioneer reps sat us in a pitch black room, told us to turn off our cellphones not to take pictures, and turned on 3 of their current line of KURO Plasma TVs.  The big thing they’re hyping this year is “Black is everything” and “Black like never before.” Of course, their current line of KUROs (PDP-5010FD) had a pretty strong light source coming from the panel - which lit up the screen even when nothing was on it.  However when they turned on the new Extreme Contrast Concept, you could barely even see it sitting there since it was such a true-black image, or as Pioneer puts it, absolute black.  The video they were playing was a wide screen format, so there was a bar on top and bottom—which allowed us to compare the black levels in those regions.

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Check out the gallery: Peep Show: Pioneer shows off Extreme Contrast Concept KURO at CES 2008