Just to let the community know the new line of NEX products have been posted on Pioneers web site,joy for Android users Android Auto support is on the new NEX8100,NEX7100,NEX6100,NEX5100,and NEX4100.And of course Apple CarPlay,Mirror Link,and App Radio support as well.
My purchase of a Pioneer product was a complete waste of money. I bought a 7000 last year and it's Android support is abysmal. I'm going to try to sell my HU on Ebay and change to someone who isn't terrible.
Not a single spec between these head units and the ones preceding them are different except for android auto. Pioneer is literally updating new machines that come off the factory now, but not the machines that preceded them because
"hey loyal consumer! f*^#^ you!
Love pioneer"
Do they still require all the adapters for app radio mode etc?
Not a single spec between these head units and the ones preceding them are different except for android auto. Pioneer is literally updating new machines that come off the factory now, but not the machines that preceded them because
"hey loyal consumer! f*^#^ you!
Love pioneer"
The moment I can reasonably afford to buy a new head unit, I'm going to buy a different brand than Pioneer and never look back. The way this company treats its customers is a joke. Customer satisfaction is an afterthought at best.
Are we positive that Pioneer won't update the current NEX units? Maybe they are just holding that announcement off for some reason? I agree, that would suck. It would be great if my 8000 could also have Android Auto since I don't use the iPhone.
Great - just got the 8000 for Christmas and now this.
Hmmm, I'm really disappointed in Pioneer forcing customers to purchase a new head unit just for Android Auto support. Is there anything else different between the units?
It's been proven that the NEX series runs on Android so hopefully we can just hack the firmware and still use the "old" model. Either that, or I'll absolutely be selling this head unit for the new Parrot Android system that's coming out.
I still can't believe that Pioneer would screw customers that paid over $1400 for a car stereo though by not providing them an update.
Hmmm, I'm really disappointed in Pioneer forcing customers to purchase a new head unit just for Android Auto support. Is there anything else different between the units?
It's been proven that the NEX series runs on Android so hopefully we can just hack the firmware and still use the "old" model. Either that, or I'll absolutely be selling this head unit for the new Parrot Android system that's coming out.
I still can't believe that Pioneer would screw customers that paid over $1400 for a car stereo though by not providing them an update.
The Parrot on paper at least is an actual upgrade. Full support for OBD2 in the headunit, fully capacitive 720 p IPS display (no one else is making better than 800x480 displays right now), full media support, built in support for dash cams, with the same apple carplay and android auto support. Seriously. Pioneer is sitting on their hands giving us garbage and calling it platinum. It's not hard to make a better radio than the trash they are peddling.
Absolute bullshit pioneer is treating current NEX owners like this. There is literally no difference between units. I'll probably buy the Kenwood unit announced today instead instead of giving my money to pioneer again.
If yall really think that pioneer was solely responsible for yall needing a new radio to support Android Auto, then you have a fair amount of misplaced rage. Much like Apple did to pioneer and other radio manufacturers, it is a safe bet that Google has a set requirement on internal hardware to run there system. Look around, it's the same reason that no one has been able to add carplay to older units with out doing an oddball hack, (which honestly I don't put a ton of faith in actually working fluidly like Carplay does on the current NEX's)
Scott, I understand what you're saying and we will probably never know the truth, but I really don't think that's the case here.
I think the reason no one has added CarPlay to older units is because there is little incentive for manufacturers to add features to older units. Instead, they would rather make new hardware where they can make money. There might also be other reasons such as software incompatibility (i.e. older headunits running Windows CE might not support CarPlay). This situation is different because the NEX series already runs Android. Somebody hacked the 8000 NEX and dumped the entire operating system and it's Android.
If the hardware has changed between the 8000 and 8100 then I can understand the argument, but Pioneer is not advertising a single new features besides adding Android Auto.
I can't even think of a new hardware feature that would be required, because this is just video streaming and multi-touch stuff. In this case of Netflix, it requires encryption which is why it can't be added to older devices, but this situation just seems so much different and it feels like people that paid $1,400 less than a year ago are getting screwed out of future updates.
EDIT: I also want to point out that when I first purchased my 8000 NEX I posted a lengthy review on here gushing about how incredible the unit was, etc. However, now that I see the kind of support that Pioneer provides I will absolutely not be purchasing anything from them in the future.
Are we positive that Pioneer won't update the current NEX units? Maybe they are just holding that announcement off for some reason? I agree, that would suck. It would be great if my 8000 could also have Android Auto since I don't use the iPhone.
If they play by the same rules they've been playing by for years, they've already forgotten that they made last year's NEX units.
Scott, I understand what you're saying and we will probably never know the truth, but I really don't think that's the case here.
I think the reason no one has added CarPlay to older units is because there is little incentive for manufacturers to add features to older units. Instead, they would rather make new hardware where they can make money. There might also be other reasons such as software incompatibility (i.e. older headunits running Windows CE might not support CarPlay). This situation is different because the NEX series already runs Android. Somebody hacked the 8000 NEX and dumped the entire operating system and it's Android.
If the hardware has changed between the 8000 and 8100 then I can understand the argument, but Pioneer is not advertising a single new features besides adding Android Auto.
I can't even think of a new hardware feature that would be required, because this is just video streaming and multi-touch stuff. In this case of Netflix, it requires encryption which is why it can't be added to older devices, but this situation just seems so much different and it feels like people that paid $1,400 less than a year ago are getting screwed out of future updates.
EDIT: I also want to point out that when I first purchased my 8000 NEX I posted a lengthy review on here gushing about how incredible the unit was, etc. However, now that I see the kind of support that Pioneer provides I will absolutely not be purchasing anything from them in the future.
I'm not clear why they can't marry the hardware of a moderately high end tablet... say a Nexus 7... with a quality amplifier and disc drive and not have all of the horsepower needed to practically future proof their units for years, not to mention produce a head unit that is significantly cheaper than the substandard one they're producing now.
Oh, you mean like Parrot? 
Their new head unit has a 720p IPS screen and runs the very latest Android OS (5.0, Lollipop) plus 55w (x4) amplifier. I don't think it has an optical drive though.
These new units were announced today, and they won't be available for at least two more months (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Press-Room/Car-Audio-Video/Pioneer's+Second+Generation+NEX+Receivers+Expand+smartphone+Connectivity). Also, has Google even officially released Android Auto into the wild? Given all of that, isn't it perhaps a bit too soon to presume that Pioneer will not provide a firmware update to enable Android Auto for the now-old 8000, 7000, and 4000 NEX units?
Admittedly, Pioneer's history on supporting older units hasn't been great. Plus, other than what might be a better screen for the resistive non-8000 units, there doesn't seem much else to distinguish these 2015 models from the 2014s other than Android Auto support. So, everyone is probably right--the old units are doomed.
I emailed pioneer and they emailed back saying its only in the newer ones
These new units were announced today, and they won't be available for at least two more months (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Press-Room/Car-Audio-Video/Pioneer's+Second+Generation+NEX+Receivers+Expand+smartphone+Connectivity). Also, has Google even officially released Android Auto into the wild? Given all of that, isn't it perhaps a bit too soon to presume that Pioneer will not provide a firmware update to enable Android Auto for the now-old 8000, 7000, and 4000 NEX units?
Admittedly, Pioneer's history on supporting older units hasn't been great. Plus, other than what might be a better screen for the resistive non-8000 units, there doesn't seem much else to distinguish these 2015 models from the 2014s other than Android Auto support. So, everyone is probably right--the old units are doomed.
That was pretty much the story for the NEX units. They were about a month late with people bitching that the CarPlay update supposedly due in "early summer" and not coming until fall.
These new units were announced today, and they won't be available for at least two more months (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Press-Room/Car-Audio-Video/Pioneer's+Second+Generation+NEX+Receivers+Expand+smartphone+Connectivity). Also, has Google even officially released Android Auto into the wild? Given all of that, isn't it perhaps a bit too soon to presume that Pioneer will not provide a firmware update to enable Android Auto for the now-old 8000, 7000, and 4000 NEX units?
Admittedly, Pioneer's history on supporting older units hasn't been great. Plus, other than what might be a better screen for the resistive non-8000 units, there doesn't seem much else to distinguish these 2015 models from the 2014s other than Android Auto support. So, everyone is probably right--the old units are doomed.
I remember a conversation I had with Pioneer about an issue I had with my Appradio 2 like a month after the Appradio 3 came out. Their support staff more or less said point blank "there are no more updates coming to the AppRadio 2. It's legacy hardware now and Pioneer is not supporting it any longer."
I highly doubt that situation has changed. I hope Y'all like how your units are running on os 1.08 because nothing is changing from here anymore.
www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Press-Room/Car-Audio-Video/Pioneer's+Second+Generation+NEX+Receivers+Expand+smartphone+Connectivity
So far, looks like they updated the screens on the non 8000 units, higher resolution and better responsiveness.
They added Android Auto to 3 models, but not all.
Tweaked the OS software to handle the new SiriusXM features of the 300 adapter, by adding a software button... (hardware front screen looks identical from 8000 to 8100).
Bluetooth looks identical to my 8000
In fact, the spec sheet other than the android auto section, and SiriusXM looks to be a direct copy and paste of the previous generation.
They added a remote control to the 8100 vs last years 8000 in the box.
If that truly is all they did, and very little to any hardware variance, then we should be excited! Why? It means that whatever OS updates/tweaks they get COULD trickle down in patch releases to our units OR open the ability to for us to software upgrade to the 8100 model.
It looks like they have found an OS to stick with that they can build upon each year. Much like the older F/X 700/900 units that you could load newer software on older hardware. This is great news compared to my now 2 year old x950BH that appears to be a one and done generation with no newer generation releases to recieve updates from.
Has anyone seen a Sirius SV200 vs SV300 adapter? Are they pin identical? If so, its very possible nothing other than the screens have changed, and everything else is in software.
As for the "hope you like it at version 1.08" comment, I have heard there is a January update coming for the current model NEX units... not sure what all it does (hopefully bug fixes and AVICSYNC support).
www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Press-Room/Car-Audio-Video/Pioneer's+Second+Generation+NEX+Receivers+Expand+smartphone+Connectivity
So far, looks like they updated the screens on the non 8000 units, higher resolution and better responsiveness.
They added Android Auto to 3 models, but not all.
Tweaked the OS software to handle the new SiriusXM features of the 300 adapter, by adding a software button... (hardware front screen looks identical from 8000 to 8100).
Bluetooth looks identical to my 8000
In fact, the spec sheet other than the android auto section, and SiriusXM looks to be a direct copy and paste of the previous generation.
They added a remote control to the 8100 vs last years 8000 in the box.
If that truly is all they did, and very little to any hardware variance, then we should be excited! Why? It means that whatever OS updates/tweaks they get COULD trickle down in patch releases to our units OR open the ability to for us to software upgrade to the 8100 model.
It looks like they have found an OS to stick with that they can build upon each year. Much like the older F/X 700/900 units that you could load newer software on older hardware. This is great news compared to my now 2 year old x950BH that appears to be a one and done generation with no newer generation releases to recieve updates from.
Has anyone seen a Sirius SV200 vs SV300 adapter? Are they pin identical? If so, its very possible nothing other than the screens have changed, and everything else is in software.
As for the "hope you like it at version 1.08" comment, I have heard there is a January update coming for the current model NEX units... not sure what all it does (hopefully bug fixes and AVICSYNC support).
Screen has not changed. They can say whatever they want. The spec sheet for the 8100 is a 800x480 LED backlit capacitive display. The display on the 8000 is a 800x480 LED backlit capacitive display.
Edit: and as far as patching the units with the new software. My appradio 2 is hardware identical short of a USB cable to the appradio 3 110 unit. Notice that same little spec bump between the units? The 110 activated the dormant bluetooth streaming on the appradio 2. Pioneer never updated the 2 to do it. The update never came. Don't keep your fingers crossed here.
Probably not dramatic, but it does look like there were hardware changes. Here is the model comparison page:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/ch.NEX.Compare
Example, the AVIC-5100NEX has a whopping .1" bigger screen (6.2" vs 6.1"). Price seems to be the same. SD now vs microSD. Clear Resistive vs Resistive. Auto vs manual time alignment. Option remote vs no remote. Probably more, just a quick check...
I did a comparison on pioneer web site between 8100 and 8000 and notice there is no check mark next to the 8000 for datalink support
I'm glad I was forced into waiting.... but for those that are mad, it seems that all the car auto makers are full of ca ca. My Kenwood 990HD never got the needed update so that all the extra 'features' actually worked.
The 991 got HDMI and a better screen and some of the 'features' work better it seems.
Funny how OEM units that do just about everything (nav, phone hookup, etc...) work WAY better....
That being said... I'm sure we'll all never truely be happy with any of them.
Just to add to the links. 
I emailed pioneer and they emailed back saying its only in the newer ones
Mind posting the contents of the email?