Alpine ILX-W650 Double-DIN 7″ Mechless Receiver with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™

Alpine ILX-W650 supports the Android Auto app for Android smartphones running OS Lollipop (5.0 or newer). Your compatible Android smartphone must be connected to the Alpine receiver’s rear-panel USB port via the included USB extension cable and your phone’s USB cable, plus be paired via Bluetooth (your vehicle’s parking brake needs to be engaged to initially setup Android Auto).

Android Auto extends the Android platform into your car in a way that’s purpose-built for driving and automatically brings you useful information and organizes it into a simple on-screen interface that is simple to use in the vehicle. It’s designed to minimize distraction so you can stay focused on the road ahead. Features of Android Auto include –

Google Assistant

The Alpine receiver enhances your Android Auto experience even more by incorporating Google Assistant using the head unit’s external microphone and your car speakers for voice command and text-to-speech, which makes using Android Auto and all of its integrated applications fast, easy, and safe. You will need to press the “mic” button or say “OK Google” to activate the Google Assistant. Use the Google Assistant to make a call, send a message, reply to a message, get driving directions, listen to music, or even control select Google Assistant smarthome enabled devices.

Google & Waze Maps

Use Google Maps to get where you’re going with on-screen maps, voice-guided navigation, live traffic information, lane guidance, and more. Select your destination by using the head unit’s touchscreen or just say where you want to go through the unit’s external mic and Google Speech Technology. You can even listen to music from your Android Auto device or other connected source device while using Google Maps. If you prefer, you can switch over to a simpler version of the community-based Waze navigation app (version 4.27 or higher).

Phone & SMS

With Android Auto you get access to your contacts and messages through the Alpine receiver while keeping your eyes on the road. Use the unit’s external mic and Google Speech Technology to make a phone call, or have your text-messages read aloud to you while you concentrate on the road ahead; you can even reply to texts via voice command.

Music

Access your Android smartphone’s music library through the Alpine receiver via Google Play Music. You’ll be able to browse music like you do on your smartphone with song/artist information display and album art. Use the receiver’s touchscreen to select songs or just say what song you want to listen to through the head unit’s external mic and Google Speech Technology. You also get access to online music and radio stations from Amazon Music, Tidal, Pandora, Spotify, iHeart Radio, SiriusXM, Slacker Radio, Tune-In, and more; as well as news, sports and talk radio apps. Music apps include song and station browsing, plus song/artist information and album art or station logo. Click here for a list of all compatible app for Android Auto.

iPhone Music Playback

If you don’t desire Apple CarPlay, you can also connect your Lightning-connector Apple iPhone to the Alpine ILX-W650 rear-panel USB port for music playback & control only using the included USB extension cable and Alpine’s KCU-471i cable (or the cable that came with your Apple device). The Alpine ILX-W650 supports audio playback, music navigation, information display, and charging of your USB-connected Apple device with Lightning connector.

Head Unit Control

Alpine ILX-W650 lets you navigate your iPhone’s music library by Playlist, Artist, Album, Song, Genre, Composer, Podcast, or Audiobook. You can then search each category alphabetically. The head unit also offers playback functions such a Play/Pause, Previous/Next Track, & Random/Repeat for stored music files. Play/Pause & Previous/Next Track are supported by many music apps too; not all apps will be compatible. Your USB-connected iPhone will remain unlocked, so you can use its touchscreen to access music apps.

Song/Artist Information

The Alpine in-dash digital media receiver will display your iPhone’s stored music file information; such as Track number, Elapsed playing time, Artist name, Song/Album title, as well as Album Art. The unit will also display song/artist information, album art, and station identification from select music apps.

1A Charging

The head unit’s USB connection provides 1A of current to power and charge your connected iPod/iPhone when your vehicle’s ignition switch is set to the ‘ACC’ or ‘On’ position (if your iPod/iPhone has no initial battery charge, then the unit will not recognize it).

Bluetooth 4.2

Alpine ILX-W650 features built-in Bluetooth version 4.2. The head unit’s built-in Bluetooth allows you to make and receive phone calls wirelessly through the receiver; as well as stream music wirelessly from your smartphone to the head unit. In order to use Bluetooth wireless technology, your phone must also be Bluetooth compatible and be able to interpret certain profiles. This unit is compatible with the following Bluetooth Profiles –

Hands-Free Communication

HFP 1.5 (Hands Free Profile), PBAB 1.0 (Phone Book Access Profile).

Audio Streaming

A2DP 1.2 (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), AVRCP 1.4 (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile).