Parrot combines Android 2.3 with a double-DIN head unit to create an advanced infotainment system for automotive enthusiasts. We hook it up in two difference vehicles, side-load apps, root it, and let you know whether it's worth the $600 Parrot is asking.
Nowadays, Android and iOS integration are must-have features when it comes to infotainment systems and aftermarket car stereos. Auto makers also give us USB ports, auxiliary input, and Bluetooth connectivity to get our smartphones and flash drives hooked up. But not everyone can afford a brand new car with all of that technology built-in. Fortunately, the aftermarket is always ready to step in with add-on solutions.
If you've been around for long enough, you've seen the car audio scene change dramatically. During the past 10 years, former high-companies closed down shop entirely, scuttle their high-end brands, or change hands. Think Eclipse, Denon, MB Quart, Diamond Audio, Pioneer Premiere, and more. Those that didn't close down or sell out are left racing to the lowest price points. Companies like Alpine, Pioneer, and Kenwood went from selling head units tuned for sound quality selling for more than $500 to a bunch of sub-$300 products that trade quality-oriented features for mass market appeal.
Fortunately, that race to the bottom is helping make in-dash navigation systems more affordable, too. Units that would have sold for $2000 a little while back now go for less than $1000.

And that takes us to the current subject at hand: Parrot's Asteroid Smart double-DIN head unit.
Parrot is mostly known for its Wi-Fi-controlled AR.Drone quadcoptor. But before the AR.Drone became a "thing," the company gained notoriety for universal Bluetooth kits that added wireless connectivity to virtually any car. Parrot even managed to license its Bluetooth technologies to aftermarket manufacturers like Kenwood, Pioneer, and eventually, Alpine.
In my younger days, I had an Alpine Bluetooth adapter accessory for my head unit before Alpine switched to a Parrot-licensed accessory. The adapter was horrible. It lacked noise cancellation, and most people had trouble hearing me speak. Eventually, I upgraded to a Pioneer AVIC-F700BT, one of the company's first Windows CE-based devices with Parrot Bluetooth and remember it being a major improvement. It was nice to have the freedom to carry on brief conversations without the person on the other end repeating the same thing over and over.
And that brings us to the Asteroid Smart, Parrot's second-generation car stereo, powered by Android.
- Android In Your Dash Via Parrot's Asteroid Smart
- Parrot's Asteroid Smart, From The Front
- Parrot's Asteroid Smart, From The Back
- Under The Hood: TI's OMAP3630
- New Vehicle Installation (2011 VW Routan)
- Older Vehicle Installation (2000 BMW 528i)
- Android 2.3 And Parrot's Asteroid Market
- Music Playback
- iGo Primo Navigation
- Results: Start-Up, Phone Pairing, Route Guidance, And Camera Delay
- Rooting The Asteroid Smart For Maximum Potential
- Parrot's Asteroid Smart: Enthusiasts-Only

What is the real deal killer is the mediocre audio - you would have thought that they could have gotten this right as the technology for quality audio has been around for at least 15 years.
You can do that but it won't look as nice nor would your steering wheel controls work.
What is the real deal killer is the mediocre audio - you would have thought that they could have gotten this right as the technology for quality audio has been around for at least 15 years.
The audio quality is fine, just the function is lacking. I believe they have TomTom on the Asteroid Market now too for those that dislike iGo.
Will not look as nice though.
Some people want a clean look that doesn't require slapping their phone on the dash or just want an upgrade from the plane factory setup, maybe an old factory navigation setup. The removal of tactile feedback and controls are typically with cheaper cars, the luxury vehicles still have buttons. But 7-years down the road, you could probably replace this Parrot with a 4th or 5th generation unit
He's probably talking about GPS software, ie TomTom or Garmin
After buying a modern Nissan with steering wheel controls and a touch screen interface, I won't get a car without it anymore. Being able to fully integrate my ipod and control the music through the controls without taking my hands off the steering wheel alone is worth the cost of the car. Plus having lots of other features like XM radio and bluetooth audio only adds some extra cool stuff to it.
I've seen the Dynavins but the rate they release new versions and stop updating them doesn't make them very appealing. I'd trust Parrot with updates more than a company that sells cheap hardware with a massive markup and no software development to show for it.
I've seen the Dynavins but the rate they release new versions and stop updating them doesn't make them very appealing. I'd trust Parrot with updates more than a company that sells cheap hardware with a massive markup and no software development to show for it.
No argument from me. As I said, the Android unit was buggy. I's simply correcting the mis-information included in the original article. Cheers!
No argument from me. As I said, the Android unit was buggy. I's simply correcting the mis-information included in the original article. Cheers!
I don't think I ever wrote it was the only Android head unit, but just Parrot's second-generation unit.
Until then, I'll stick with my dnx-6160
I will wait for someone to produce a good Nexus 7 car kit with ISO connectors. Meanwhile my Kenwood running what looks like Window CE will do fine for now. My Kenwood will even display SMSs (if connected to a compatible phone,of which there are not many.) Not sure how safe reading an on-screen text is while driving is.
What we really want is an onscreen HUD that projects the image forward in front of the car so you are still focused on the road. Information not movies of course