Rockford Fosgate is launching its first Bluetooth adapter that can plug into a car radio to stream music and apps from a smartphone or tablet or laptop.

Called the RFBTAUX, it plugs into an Aux input jack in a car radio and it pairs with Bluetooth smartphones, tablets, etc.  It also has a USB port for charging the devices. In addition to a car, it may be used in boats, trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles.

It is shipping now at $49.99 suggested retail price.

It joins another new accessory from Rockford debuting during CES this week– a new PUNCH EQ device that adds bass and treble boost to any aftermarket audio system.

The accessory includes a high-level signal input with auto turn-on capability and adjustable sensitivity to match any audio source.

It’s 2-channel RCA outputs have a built-in line driver allowing the signal to connect to any amplifier’s input jacks and overcome any noise.

The RFPEQU will ship in Q2 at $74.99.

Alpine introduced at CES the largest double DIN radio we know of, with a screen size of 9 inches.

The new X009 super large screen is motorized and uses Perfect Fit kits to adapt to either GM or Ford trucks and SUVs. It includes new Alpine features such as iDatalink to retain factory controls like SYNC or Onstar.   Users can see their tire pressure on the large screen and it retain factory voice control.  It also has HDMI for a video connection to a smartphone or tablet. It ships in June for over $2,500.

Alpine also revamped its 8-inch radio. The 2014 model X008U now has HDMI and iDatalink.  It still works with all 25 Perfect Fit factory kits and will ship in May  at $1,600.

A 7-inch version with all the same features is the INE-W957HD due in May at $1,300.

Four more Perfect Fit kits are due by mid year including a kit for the GM Silverado 2007-2014 and the for the Silverado model years 2014 and up (this latter ships February at $500). Also new is a kit for the RAM for model years 2012 and up and one for the Cadillac Escalade, 2007 and up.

Alpine is also showing new overhead DVD monitors with LED lights for backseat video.  They use 10.2 inch WSVGA screens with 1.84 million pixels. Most car video monitors are only WVGA quality at 1.15 million pixels.   The new overheads come in three different colors, gray, black and tan to match car interiors and will ship in April at $600.

Also new are PDR amplifiers, a line of easy to install amps that are a step down from the PDX line.  Pricing runs about $400 to $500.

Kenwood is adding HDMI and MHL connections to its 2014 lineup, allowing many of its decks to mirror and control video and apps on iPhone 5 series and Android smartphones.

Almost every new Kenwood navigation deck and 3 new AV receivers will now display and control video coming from a smartphone.  (See story xxx for navigation decks)

For an HDMI connection, users will need an Apple Lightning-to-HDMI adapter, which can then plug into the back of the Kenwood receivers for use with iPhone 5 series phones.  For Android, Kenwood supplies its own cable.

Additionally Kenwood will release its own HDMI WiFi dongle for use with all of its HDMI-equipped car radios.

MHL is already standard in hundreds of TVs and over 120 smartphone models and it has been offered in the car market by Pioneer in its AppRadio series.

Kenwood’s new AV receivers will also work with the WAZE interactive navigation app.   Four models have the iDataLink Maestro RR OEM interface and all but one have Bluetooth. They feature a new GUI with easy-to-see graphics, support a variety of smartphone apps, come with DVD, USB and sport either 6.1″ or 6.95″ high-resolution WVGA touchscreens.

Eight new AV models include the Kenwood Excelon DDX8901HD at $0000, the Kenwood Excelon DDX5901HD at $000, the Kenwood Excelon DDX471HD at $0000, the DDX7701HD at $0000, the DDX771 at $0000, the DDX471HD at $0000, the DDX371 at $0000 and the DDX271 at $0000.  All support the addition of SiriusXM Satellite Radio and offer compatibility with the Garmin Street Pilot navigation app.

Sony Monday introduced the first smartphone-cradle/car radio that lets many brands of smartphone become the in-dash screen for a car radio.

The phone snuggles between sliders that can accommodate many kinds of phones, and some with the cases on (if it’s a thin case).

The cradle/radio includes a full double DIN CD player that is also the first with a tap-to-pair feature for Bluetooth that uses Near Field Communications (NFC) to allow one-button pairing for Android phones.  You just tap your phone on the radio for pairing.  See story here.

The XSP-N1BT cradle/radio also includes AM/FM radio and USB port and one-line display.  It can work independently of the phone through buttons on the radio.

Sony also adds advanced voice control over the radio through its App Remote new version 2.  The app on the phone lets you receive texts and email by voice command.  The phone then also becomes a sound processor control for adjusting acoustics and a volume and subwoofer level control.

App Remote version 2 also reads aloud RSS feeds, and calendar notifications.

The cradle also charges the phone. A Sony Xperia Android phone will charge via a magnetic connector without the need for a cable.

CRUX Interfacing Solutions said it will enter a new car audio accessory category at CES next week with a line of video integration devices.

The new AVI interfaces allow “mirroring” of images from a smartphone or gadget on a factory radio screen.

The AVI series will initially work with late model Toyota vehicles (2012 and up) to be followed by Chrysler, Ford, GM, Mercedes and BMW models.

The interfaces include a 3-pronged composite cable for audio, video and auxiliary connections to factory radios and an HDMI cable may be an optional add-on.

Rockford Fosgate will introduce during CES its first car speakers that are custom fit to a specific car model, with new “Direct Fitment Speakers for BMW.”

The speakers are made in Germany to Rockford specifications and fit BMW models 2004 and up.

They include a 1-inch treated fabric tweeter with neodymium motor and a woofer with a tri-laminate injection molded fiber cone. The line also features an inline passive crossover anda  BMW factory connector for easy plug in installation.

Each speaker is Klippel-verified, and 2031-CEA Compliant.   They are 4-inch, 2-way component systems with 50/100 Watt (RMS/Peak) power performance. The T3-BMW1 is designed for BMW OEM Frame Style-1, The T3-BMW2 is designed for BMW OEM Frame Style-2, and the T3-BMW3 is designed for BMW OEM Frame Style-3.

They ship in Q2 and will be on display during CES at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Jan 7-9.