If you have some spare room on your car dash, the new Asteroid Android receiver by Parrot could make your trips to work or leisure a whole lot more enjoyable. The smart little Asteroid is packed with apps, web accessibility, hands-free phone and music for smooth, hassle-free travel. Released to the Australian and New Zealand market in November 2011, Parrot have successfully designed a product that combines multiple technologies, removing the limitations for in-car infotainment. The apps available on the Asteroid reflect the way we travel around the city.
The Maps, Roadtrip and Weather applications are highly advantageous if you are unsure of the area you’re travelling or are interested in learning a bit more information. Think of it as your personal travel guide: it invites you to explore and discover hidden gems and tourist spots with detailed information and photos. So if a buzzing hotspot catches your attention, you can easily find out an accurate weather forecast and conditions, hear a summary of the point of interest, make an enquiry call using the hands-free-telephone and be “directed to the door” via the detailed maps and directions made possible by the GPS receiver. The Wikango HD is another very functional application built into the Asteroid. This handy little app will advise the driver of accident prone or risky areas, so you can be better prepared if adverse situations occur. It will also allow the exchange of real-time information, giving the user the ability to declare alerts, hazards or road disruptions to others around them.
TuneIn is a third app that will advantage the driver as they cruise around the city or country. This app allows you to access up to 50 000 free local, international and Internet radio stations and podcasts across the world in digital quality. So, no matter where you are in the world, your favourite radio station for music, sports or talk-back radio is only a click away. Another clever feature of the Asteroid include it’s voice recognition technology, giving you the opportunity to speak the name of a song or artist through the included microphone, and having the device start playing it automatically.
The range of adaptors that come with the Asteroid are also an attraction, making it possible to connect it to a variety of media players, including iPod or USB device. The Asteroid’s simplistic design is an advantage to the driver, enabling easier use and minimising unwanted distractions. Features built into the device are easily accessed by scrolling the jog dial and menu button, positioned beside the micro 3.2 screen. For more information on the Asteroid; or other Parrot products available to the Australian market, visit the website. www.parrot.com/au
