Kenwood units are now available!

[Phil Nickinson]

Kenwood is now shipping its new aftermarket Android Auto receivers to retailers | Android Central

Best Buy's got it listed already. Kenwood 7" CDDVD Apple iPod and Satellite RadioReady InDash Receiver with Motorized Faceplate Black DDX9702S - Best Buy

 

[Bigballer]

What's the difference between the 9702 and the 9902?

Doesn't look like the 9702 has navigation built in and has a resistive touch screen.

Wonder how the specs compare to Pioneer's lineup.

 

[Phil Nickinson]

Haven't quite figured that out yet. Presser made it sound like both were resistive. (And, honestly, I've been fine with resistive on the Pioneer.)

 

[Cant Miss]

What's the difference between the 9702 and the 9902?

Doesn't look like the 9702 has navigation built in and has a resistive touch screen.

Wonder how the specs compare to Pioneer's lineup.

The only differences I can spot are that the 9902 supports aptX over bluetooth, has a 7 band EQ (instead of 5), and has a lower output impedance on the line outs.

Compared to the Pioneers... well they have 13 band EQ, an additional USB port, and SD card slot. I guess Kenwood expects you to have all your media on your phone.

According to the user guide, the Kenwoods are supplied with a GPS antenna, which is curious as they seem to have no onboard GPS receiver.

 

[anon(9446079)]

The GPS antenna may make sense if the phone could make use of it via Android Auto maybe? Does that make sense?

 

[Cant Miss]

I 'suppose' that's possible.

 

[cstmstyle]

Anyone of one of these in hand yet? Waiting on a good comparison review before I decide to buy one.

 

[Dr Claw]

The only differences I can spot are that the 9902 supports aptX over bluetooth, has a 7 band EQ (instead of 5), and has a lower output impedance on the line outs.

Compared to the Pioneers... well they have 13 band EQ, an additional USB port, and SD card slot. I guess Kenwood expects you to have all your media on your phone.

According to the user guide, the Kenwoods are supplied with a GPS antenna, which is curious as they seem to have no onboard GPS receiver.

I have been a Kenwood user for many years, but switched to Pioneer when I found out that there was only one USB port.
Android Auto's music controls leave a lot to be desired (IMO), so I am sticking with an iPod for music for the time being. Pioneer's HUs allow for that.

However, if you do everything on your phone, the current Kenwood units should be sufficient, regardless if you use CarPlay or Android Auto. The AA experience is going to be the same regardless of which head unit you use.