Hungry For Apple CarPlay But Don't Want To Buy A New Car? Pioneer Has Aftermarket Options

Apple fans have a reputation for doing crazy things to get their hands on the latest products from Cupertino. So far, this year's most anticipated offering is Apple's in-dash CarPlay system, which gives drivers easy access to music, messages, and more without having to fumble with their iPhone.

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CarPlay will be offered as an option on select new cars later this year. But what about Apple fans who aren't in the market for a new vehicle? Pioneer has just the thing.

In what's likely to be the first of many aftermarket options for CarPlay, Pioneer has announced that its five receivers in the NEX line will be CarPlay-enabled this summer, courtesy of a simple software upgrade. From Pioneer's promo shots, it looks as if CarPlay will function as another app on NEX devices, launchable with the tap of a finger.

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While that's very exciting news, there is a downside: the cost. Pioneer's NEX systems start at a fairly hefty $700 before installation, and top-of-the-line models cost twice that. We've seen die-hard Apple fans shell out more for less, but casual iPhone users may be inclined to grab a better phone mount for their dashboard and call it a day. If they wait long enough, it's possible that the manufacturer of their existing infotainment system will crank out an upgrade.

If the prices haven't put you off, check out the new CarPlay section of Pioneer's website for more details about the company's NEX line.

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