Or is it all just rumors? Reason I ask is because Best Buy has the z130 available at a good price at the moment and I'm thinking about getting myself one, but I would hate to miss out on whatever cool new features a potential z140 would have....
Well, I may have found my answer (kind of).
They are releasing AppRadio 2, which will enable Android support as well as iOs.
http://gizmodo.com/5874418/pioneer-gets-all-up-in-your-dash-with-its-android+ready-app-radio-2
That is awesome for me, since I refuse to get an iPhone. I'm assuming this will be implemented in a new z140 model? Looks like I might be better off waiting....
http://www.bradenton.com/2012/01/09/3777132/new-pioneer-advanced-navigation.html
It was announced today.
Ah awesome. Thanks!
Now lets hope the z110-z130 will be upgradable to the z140! I want that android control.......
http://www.bradenton...navigation.html
It was announced today.
And now it's up on Pioneer's site. http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/GPS-Navigation/AVIC-Z140BH
Interestingly, if you take a close look at the picture of the unit, you'll see it's actually a z130bt. Hopefully this means there's an update on the way!
_Am
So the first link says a suggested retail price of 1200, but Pioneers site says its 1500? I'm assuming that's just MSRP?
So the first link says a suggested retail price of 1200, but Pioneers site says its 1500? I'm assuming that's just MSRP?
Hi,
Seems to be the same as when the z130bt was released. Looking at Pioneer's press release, they do show 1200.
"The AVIC-X940BT and AVIC-Z140BH will be available in April for suggested prices of $800 and $1200, respectively."
And now it's up on Pioneer's site. http://www.pioneerel...ion/AVIC-Z140BH
Interestingly, if you take a close look at the picture of the unit, you'll see it's actually a z130bt. Hopefully this means there's an update on the way!
_Am
When I compare it too the Z130BT press release, they seem to be roughly the same specs. Hopefully the new stuff of the z140, such as the android device connectivity, is all software based, and be avaialble in the z130 with an upgrade.
If the Android functionality can be added with an upgrade, then sign me up. I'm so close to buying the z130 right now, but I need that Android support!
I did a review of the z140 specs to the z130, and they appear to be 99% the same. The main difference seems to be the bluetooth of the z140 "Bluetooth® Built-In (HFP/A2DP/AVRCP)". I believe the z130 has HFP (hands free) and A2DP (audio streaming), but not AVRCP (which is what I bet allows control of Aha and Pandora). I don't know if AVRCP is purely software, or if there is a hardware component involved.
I did a review of the z140 specs to the z130, and they appear to be 99% the same. The main difference seems to be the bluetooth of the z140 "Bluetooth® Built-In (HFP/A2DP/AVRCP)". I believe the z130 has HFP (hands free) and A2DP (audio streaming), but not AVRCP (which is what I bet allows control of Aha and Pandora). I don't know if AVRCP is purely software, or if there is a hardware component involved.
Well, interesting, I did find based off of crutchfield, that the z130bt is capable of AVRCP:
"Bluetooth Audio Players: In addition to supporting Bluetooth's Hands-Free Profile (HFP), the head unit also supports Bluetooth's wireless Audio Streaming Profile (A2DP) and Bluetooth's Audio Control Profile (AVRCP). These features allow you to wirelessly transmit music from your Bluetooth compatible cell-phone or portable audio player to the AVIC-Z130BT so you can listen to your stored music files through your vehicle's audio system."
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-F21LnbrtcCs/p_130AVIC130/Pioneer-AVIC-Z130BT.html#details-tab
What I've read so far sounds very encouraging. I'm ready for the Z140BH. I have a new car now, and has a base radio. My trusty AVIC-D3 went with my old car, and I miss it horribly.
I just hope that they have fixed the craptacular navigation accuracy. I found the navi to be pretty unreliable, and just got me to the general area. Sometimes it was off by MILES. Even after updates.
I'm also hoping that it will be as fast if not faster than the D3 was. I almost bought a Kenwood unit, but was put off by the needlessly complicated graphics and slooooooow response time of the display. Go Pioneer! Bring it!
Just keep in mind guys that there is always disappointment in one way or another when Pioneer offers new features on a unit. So I wouldn't expect that Android support to work the way you think it should. Nevertheless its finally good to see for all you Android people.
Kenwood has announced new HU's too:
Just keep in mind guys that there is always disappointment in one way or another when Pioneer offers new features on a unit. So I wouldn't expect that Android support to work the way you think it should. Nevertheless its finally good to see for all you Android people.
Yea, I am setting myself up for some level of disappointment 
I will be happy if the z130bt can be upgraded with these features, and that I can get aha radio to work wih my android. (I already have the beta aha radio software, so would be cool to get functionality on my z130bt)
Another question that should be asked is about the Nav software. I see that they are using Navteq now.... Does that mean they will have new Nav software? Cuz from what everyone says, the Nav on the 130 was absolutely awful.
Another question that should be asked is about the Nav software. I see that they are using Navteq now.... Does that mean they will have new Nav software? Cuz from what everyone says, the Nav on the 130 was absolutely awful.
This was just posted on Pioneer's Facebook page:
"Pioneer Electronics (North America) The main differences between last year's AVIC-Z130BT and this year's AVIC-Z140BH is the mapping now from NAVTEQ for superior navigation and improved POI search, Advanced App Mode and HD Artist Experience."
It would appear the Z130bt and below used Tele Atlas®.
This was just posted on Pioneer's Facebook page:
"Pioneer Electronics (North America) The main differences between last year's AVIC-Z130BT and this year's AVIC-Z140BH is the mapping now from NAVTEQ for superior navigation and improved POI search, Advanced App Mode and HD Artist Experience."
It would appear the Z130bt and below used Tele Atlas®.
I'm encouraged by this. Any update to the navigation should be an improvement - the Z110/120/130 have the worst navigation I've ever used.
It appears to use the same shitty software and features so I wouldn't expect a huge difference. Any change has got to be some improvement however.
I am working on updating my z110bt right now. I had the HD tuner go out a while ago and never had time to bring it in to be fixed (car toys) I just bought a new HD tuner and a new traffic tuner to replace the MSN direct tuner. I also bought a PAC WRI-P and a Pioneer CD-SR11. I will post in the remote thread from vblue42 how the remote works, it's supposed to work with some of the nav functions. I'm going to upgrade to the 130 software and I hope that the 140 continues the ability to upgrade.
As for the nav on this unit. It does suck. I don't even use it but I'd like to. My Google Navigation on my andried works so much easier and more accurate. But I'd love to get the Pioneer working. the problem with my smart phone is I usually know where I'm going but sure enough, just when I'm really not sure and am travelling carefully with my nav, the phone rings and boom, there goes my directions!!
I will post in the remote thread from vblue42 how the remote works, it's supposed to work with some of the nav functions.
The last time I tried, only audio functions would work. These remotes were designed for the previous Z* series with a completely different interface and different navi software.
Ah good to know. Since I don't really use the navi on the unit thats fine. I should of asked you first, I could have saved a couple bucks 
Just a thought an observation:
In the past year and a half, i've gone from the AVIC D3, to the X930BT, to the Z120BT to my current AppRadio (crap) setup. I'm a sucker for trying things out and/or being too lazy to uninstall when I trade in a vehicle and my wallet suffers as a result.
With Pioneer's new announcements, and my experience using the above mentioned units, I think the best bang for your buck if you are sticking with Pioneer in 2012 might be the AVH-P8400BH? At first glance, it appears to have all the functionality of the Z140BH with the exception of the built in NAV. Since the advanced app mode basically includes all the AppRadio functions and allows you to use superior navigation apps, why pay the $700 premium between the 8400 and Z140? Is there something else I am missing? I must say I regret the AppRadio purchase and seeing them release an AppRadio 2 and no firmware update talk irritates me but does not surprise me...that's my own fault.
With Pioneer's new announcements, and my experience using the above mentioned units, I think the best bang for your buck if you are sticking with Pioneer in 2012 might be the AVH-P8400BH? At first glance, it appears to have all the functionality of the Z140BH with the exception of the built in NAV. Since the advanced app mode basically includes all the AppRadio functions and allows you to use superior navigation apps, why pay the $700 premium between the 8400 and Z140? Is there something else I am missing? I must say I regret the AppRadio purchase and seeing them release an AppRadio 2 and no firmware update talk irritates me but does not surprise me...that's my own fault.
I haven't tried the AppRadio based nav tools since I'm on Android, but to me - depending on your mobile carrier for navigation is workable in the city, but once you get away from the urban centers the reliability of the mobile networks is just not where it needs to be. I would be very hesitant to wander off the beaten path with a mobile navigator, the way I often do with a dedicated GPS. The majority of roads in America (by distance) does not even have 2G coverage, never mind 3G.
If you want a sat-nav, get a sat-nav.