Our Product Research Team

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Touchscreen Display w/ Remote Control

5" Touchscreen Display: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet features a 5.0" touchscreen widescreen (16:9) display. The unit's touchscreen features interactive controls & icons making menu navigation easy. You can adjust the touchscreen's brightness and switch from Day or Night mode. The Asteroid Tablet comes with a suction-cup mounting bracket to install the touchscreen display to the windshield or dash of your vehicle. Once the touchscreen display is mounted, it can be adjusted on the ball-and-socket bracket for best visibility.

Note: The touchscreen display measures 5.25" (w) x 3.5625" (h) x 0.6875" (d).

Remote Control: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet also comes with a remote control which features 4-buttons and a touch-pad. The remote can operate source, playback, and Bluetooth functions. The remote control comes with a bracket to mount it to your steering wheel or dash (within arms-reach of the driver). The remote operates off of the included CR2032 3V lithium battery.

Note: The remote control measures 2.0" (w) x 1.8125" (h) x 0.875" (d).

Hide-Away Box: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet also includes a hide-away box which contains most the device's connections (3 USB Ports, Line-In, 2 Line-Outs, Display connector, SWC-connector, Wiring-harness). The hide-away box can be located behind your vehicle's factory radio or under the dash.

Note: The hide-away box measures 5.9375" (w) x 1.1875" (h) x 4.5" (d).

Installation: Installing the Parrot Asteroid Tablet is done by inserting it between your car's factory stereo and speaker system. The Asteroid Tablet can be installed in almost any vehicle audio system and is fitted with ISO connectors. However, the majority of North American car manufacturers use other types of connectors. Many professional installers work around this by simply splicing the Asteroid Tablet's wiring harness into the factory audio system. Others, however, prefer to use a T-harness solution that can make installing the Parrot Asteroid Tablet a lot simpler. Please consult Crutchfield's Outfit My Car to see if your vehicle is compatible and if there is a T-harness adapter available.

Note: Although not required for installation, the T-harness does simplify the installation. Inexperienced installers may have difficulty hardwiring the kit without the T-harness adapter. You can download car installation example guides from Parrot Support.

Steering Wheel Control Interface: A steering wheel control interface (333UNIKA, sold separately) can be used to connect your vehicle's steering wheel controls to the Parrot Asteroid Tablet. With this interface, you will be able to make phone calls via the steering wheel controls while keeping your hands on the wheel. This steering wheel control interface is compatible with over 200 vehicle models from 34 different automotive brands.

Parking Brake Detection: To prevent the display of video while the vehicle is in motion, the bright green wire (within the harness) must be connected to the vehicle's parking brake detection circuit. You cannot view video unless your vehicle's parking brake is engaged. Some advanced menu options and apps are not available, unless parking brake is engaged. While your vehicle is in motion (parking brake off), you can still control music sources, view song/artist information and album artwork from music sources, control Bluetooth functions, and use the navigation apps.

Note: All functions requiring increased attention should only be used while your vehicle is stationary. Driver & passenger safety, along with the safety of fellow drivers should take priority over phone calls, music, & navigation instructions.

Internet Applications

Android OS: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet features an embedded Android 2.3 operating system which allows the use of  downloadable Internet applications & navigation services from the Asteroid Market, thanks to its 3G, WiFI, and GPS capabilities.

Note: Use of the Parrot Asteroid Tablet's Internet apps requires the use of a 3G Network USB dongle (sold separately) or Bluetooth-enabled smartphone which is 3G compatible.

Internet 3G & WiFi Compatible: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet can connect to the Internet using either a 3G Network USB dongle (sold separately) or using a compatible Bluetooth-enabled smartphone's 3G data sharing network connection. When your vehicle is stopped, the unit can also connect to the Internet via its built-in WiFi when in close proximity to a WiFi hotspot.

• 3G Internet/USB dongle: Click here for 3G Stick Compatibility. To guarantee optimal reception, Parrot recommends you do not connect your 3G Internet USB dongle on the Parrot Asteroid Tablet directly; use the USB cable to install your device on the dashboard (or any other open area).
• Bluetooth-Enabled 3G Smartphone: Click here for compatible Bluetooth enabled 3G smartphones.
• Built-in WiFi: Built-in WiFi for connection to available WiFi hotspots around your area (vehicle must be stopped).

Note: Connecting the Parrot Asteroid Tablet to the Internet using an 3G Network USB dongle requires an appropriate subscription & may result in large additional roaming fees. Check the terms of use with your provider for more information. Make sure you check regularly your allowance and usage.

GPS Receiver/Antenna: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet features an integrated GPS receiver/antenna that works in conjunction with the unit's built-in navigation and driver assistance apps.

Internet Apps from the Asteroid Market: Several types of Internet Apps (music, geo-location, driver assistance, weather, etc) from the Asteroid Market can be downloaded onto the Parrot Asteroid Tablet, using an SD-card. First you will need to create an Asteroid Market account and register your device from your computer. Once you have registered the Asteroid Tablet, you can then download applications from the Asteroid Market onto an SD-card inserted into your computer. Once you have finished downloading the apps you want, insert the SD-card into the Asteroid Tablet receiver to upload the new applications.

Note: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet is a multitasking device, so several applications can run simultaneously. To ensure that you do not continue to use 3G data, make sure to close applications. The use of some applications may require a fee or need a subscription. All applications may not be available in all countries.

Travel Apps: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet offers several travel type applications to help you along your drive.

• Maps (free): The Maps application informs you about traffic, gives you POI's around your current location, and even offers to guide you to them via its on-screen map. This app does not offer turn-by-turn audible directions.
• iGo Primo North America ($24.99): iGO primo is a voice guided turn-by-turn navigation application that helps you to get to your destination quickly, easily and safely. iGO primo navigation provide reliable maps (of USA/Canada), straightforward destination entry, high quality route calculation, and easy to follow guidance. Internet connection is not needed (except at the first launch of the application) for navigation as the maps reside on the device, so there are no hidden costs and no surprises due to roaming fees. 6 GB of free space is required to install this application.
• Roadtrip (free): Roadtrip is an application combining the beautiful photos of Panoramio, tourist information from Wikipedia, and Google Maps. It allows you to (1) Be alerted of tourist points of interest around your location (2) Receive information on tourist places of interest
  (3) Hear the summary of the point of interest and weather forecast vocally (4) To call some points of interest and even goes to them.
• Wikango HD US (free download + subscription): The Wikango HD application legally notifies you of the presence of mobile speed cameras, as well as of road traffic incidents and disruptions. Its operating principle is community-based; you are notified of the presence of speed cameras after another Wikango community member sees one and then reports it. 6 months of Wikango service is included free of charge. Additional 12 months service is $24.99.
• Glympse (free): Glympse is the easiest way to safely share your location with someone in real time. No sign-up needed and no new social network to manage. Recipients receive a link allowing them to view your ETA and location in real-time for the length of time you choose. When the timer on your Glympse expires, your location is no longer visible. Best of all, recipients do not need any special software to view a Glympse. Send a Glympse via SMS, email, Facebook, or Twitter and recipients can view it using any web-enabled device.

Parking Apps: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet offers parking apps to make parking easier when you travel.

• Best Parking (free): BestParking is a free parking search engine that steers drivers toward the cheapest and most convenient parking garages and lots in 55 cities and 80 airports throughout North America.
• Parkopedia ($1.99): The name Parkopedia is a combination of the words parking and encyclopedia. Born out of a frustration of looking for parking, this application maps out and lists every parking space in the world. To date, Parkopedia has grown to cover over 18 million parking spaces in 25 countries around the world thanks to contributions from other drivers. Use this app to (1) find parking using your current location or by entering and address (2) get directions straight to the space or an entrance (3) see parking space availability in real-time (4) find opening hours, up to date prices, payment methods and more (5) quickly narrow down parking choices using filters such as street parking only, free, credit cards accepted, covered, etc..

Internet Radio: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet provides access to TuneIn and Spotify online music services.

• TuneIn Radio App (free): TuneIn is a free way to listen to music, sports and news from every corner of the earth, with over 70,000 radio stations and 2 million on-demand programs.
• Spotify (free download + $9.99 monthly subscription): Spotify is a digital music service that gives you on-demand access to one of the largest music libraries in the world (over 15 million tracks and counting). Spotify makes it easier than ever to discover, manage, and share music with your friends.

Weather App (free): The Weather app informs you of conditions and weather forecasts for several days around your position or in any city on the world.

Web Browser: The Asteroid Tablet's Browser App can be used to browse internet web pages. Simply type in a URL address or keyword search to bring your the web page. You can use slide your finder along the screen to browse different areas of the web page. You can also zoom in and out on a web page. You can open up to eight browser windows. You can even bookmark your favorite web pages.

Email: You can configure your email account with the Parrot Asteroid Tablet, so you can check your email on the unit's touchscreen display.

Pre-Installed Tools: The Asteroid Tablet contains a built-in Calculator and Diary app.

• Clock: Displays time (hr/min) and date (day/month/date) and offers multiple alarm functions.
• Calculator: Use the calculator keys displayed on the screen to carry out basic mathematical operations.
• Diary: Use the Diary application to create and manage events, meetings and appointments.

Built-in Bluetooth

Bluetooth Technology: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet features built-in Bluetooth (ver. 2.1+EDR) for advanced hands-free communication & wireless audio streaming. 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), HSP 1.0 (Handset Profile), OPP 1.1 (Object Push Profile), PBAB 1.0 (Phone Book Access Profile).
• Audio Streaming: A2DP 1.2 (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), AVRCP 1.3 (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile).

Note: The Parrot Asteroid is 100% Bluetooth compatible with virtually every Bluetooth-enabled cell phone, smartphone, PDA, & tablet (including Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android, and Blackberry). You can visit the Parrot Support Site to confirm that your cell phone is compatible.

Pairing: You can pair up to 10 devices with the Parrot Asteroid Tablet. The Asteroid Tablet allows you to use the telephone & audio streaming functions from two different smartphones without having to disconnect one of them.

Hands-Free Communication: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet supports Bluetooth hands-free communication for your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. The Asteroid Tablet's touchscreen can be used to dial a number, answer an in-coming call, or end a call. You can listen to phone calls through your vehicle's speakers and talk through the Asteroid Tablet's external microphone. The Parrot Asteroid Tablet can retrieve phonebook contacts, and call history from your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone.

• Receiving A Call: An incoming call is indicated by a ringtone. The name of the caller is announced, if the number is recorded in the phonebook of the phone connected to the Parrot Asteroid Tablet. When a call comes in, the Asteroid Tablet automatically mutes your car stereo and the caller's voice comes through your vehicle's front speakers. All the call information from the phone is displayed on the unit's 5" touchscreen display. You can answer or reject a call from the touchscreen, remote control or using voice commands "Accept" & "Reject".
• Dialing A Number: Using the Parrot Asteroid Tablet's touchscreen display, you can dial a phone number in one of the following ways:
  • Phonebook Access: The Asteroid Tablet allows you to upload your phonebook from your Bluetooth enabled phone, so calls can be launched simply by browsing your phonebook. Each time you add a contact name, the Asteroid Tablet automatically synchronizes your cell phonebook. The Asteroid Tablet can support up to 50,000 total contacts (5,000 per paired phone). *Only the contacts stored in the phone memory are synchronized. If your contacts are stored in your SIM card memory, transfer them onto your phone memory.
  • Call History: The Call History is a list of calls that have originated from and were received by your phone that you can dial from the unit. You can select Dialed, Received, or Missed calls.
  • Voice Recognition: You can make a call using voice recognition. Simply say the contact's name and type of number (home, cell, work, etc.). The call is then automatically launched if the voice command is understood.

  Note: To follow on your conversation in private, you can switch instantaneously the communication between the Asteroid Tablet and your Bluetooth mobile phone.

Call Waiting & Caller ID: During a call, you can receive another call if your phone supports this functionality. If your Bluetooth enabled cell-phone supports Caller I.D., the caller's name (if in phonebook) will be announced to you over your vehicle's speakers. The Asteroid Tablet also displays the name (if in phonebook).

Double External Microphone: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet features an external double microphone with noise reduction (NR 3.0), echo cancellation (AEC), and full duplex operation which provides crystal clear calls at normal conversation level. The microphone features an integrated adjustable mounting bracket with an adhesive backing. The integrated bracket also features a mounting hole to attach the microphone with an optional self-tapping screw. In addition, the microphone comes supplied with a visor clip to mount to your vehicle's sun-visor. The ideal location for the microphone is near the rear-view mirror.  The microphone needs to be pointed towards the user.

Note: You can mute the head unit's microphone so you can still hear the caller, but the caller cannot hear you.

Wireless Audio Streaming: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet also supports wireless audio playback (AD2P) and control (AVRCP) of a Bluetooth enabled audio player or smartphone. The Asteroid Tablet will be able to control basic playback functions of your Bluetooth device's stored music and music apps; such as Play/Pause & Skip Next/Previous. The head unit will also display your stored music and music apps song information; such as Artist name and Song/Album title. Advanced music control of your music will still need be done via your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone. All audio will played back through your car's speakers (front & back).

Note: When an incoming call or outgoing call is in progress from your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone, audio streaming will be paused so you can take your call. Once the call is finished, your streaming music will resume.

USB/SD/iPod Integration

USB Memory/SD-Card Compatible: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet supports playback of USB mass storage class devices and SD/SDHC memory cards.

• 3 USB Ports: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet's hide-away box is equipped with 3 USB (type-A) ports. The USB (type-A) ports can be used to connect the included GPS receiver/antenna for navigation, a 3G Network USB dongle for access to Internet apps, and a USB memory device or iPod/iPhone for music playback. The Asteroid is compatible with the majority of 3G Network USB dongles, Android smartphones, iPod/iPhones, portable digital audio players, USB thumbdrives, and external hard drives. Use the included 5' USB extension cable to make connecting & disconnecting your USB device or Internet (3G) USB dongle easier.
• SD-Card Slot: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet's touchscreen display is equipped with a side-panel SD-card slot. The SD-card slot supports playback of music files stored on SD or SDHC memory cards (up to 32GB). Tablet SD/SDHC & micro SD/SDHC memory cards are compatible with adapter (sold separately).

Compatible Audio/Video Formats: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet supports playback MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, and OGG music files loaded onto a compatible USB mass storage class device or SD/SDHC memory card (formatted in FAT32). The Asteroid Tablet also supports playback of MP2, MP4, H263, H264, WMV, and SPARK video files stored on a SD/SDHC memory card. In addition, JPEG still-image playback is supported via SD/SDHC memory card.

Note: Video can only be displayed when the vehicle's parking brake is engaged.

Apple Device Direct Connection: Any of the Parrot Asteroid Tablet's USB ports can be used to connect your iPod/iPhone to the unit, via the included iPod cable or the connector cable which comes with your iPod/iPhone. If you have an iPod nano (7th gen), iPod touch (5th gen), or iPhone 5; use the Lighting-to-USB cable that came with your Apple device to connect to the unit. The Asteroid supports audio playback of stored music from your iPod/iPhone device and music apps from your compatible iPhone.

Note: Several minutes of loading may be necessary when connecting your audio device (USB/SD/iPod) to the Parrot Asteroid Tablet for the first time, particularly if you are using audio peripheral with a large capacity or containing many audio files. This loading time will allow your audio files to be accessible via voice recognition.

Music Control: You can browse your USB device, SD/SDHC-Card, and iPod/iPhone music files by Artist, Album, Song, Genre, or Playlist. Once you have selected a category, the music content is listed alphabetically.

Voice Recognition: The Voice Recognition function allows you to select the artist/album you want to hear via voice recognition. You can simply access your music by pronouncing the name of the artist/album stored in your music library and the music will be launched automatically. This function is only available if you are using the Parrot Asteroid Tablet with a USB, SD, or iPod/iPhone device.

Information Display: The Asteroid Tablet will display your iPod/iPhone's stored music and music app song/artist information. The unit will also display ID3-tags and WMA-tags from USB mass storage class devices and SD/SDHC memory cards.

Charging: USB portable audio devices that can be charged via USB will be charged when plugged into the receiver's USB port (5V/1A), and the vehicle's ignition switch is set to ACC or On. The unit also charges your connected iPod/iPhone device (but not the iPad). If your device has no initial battery charge, then the unit will not recognize it.

iPod/iPhone Compatibility Chart: The Parrot Asteroid is "Made for iPod/iPhone" compatible and supports the following iPod/iPhone/iPad model functions (as of 3/5/2013):

Note:

• *If you have an iPod nano (7th gen), iPod touch (5th gen), iPhone 5, iPad 4 or iPad Tablet; use the Lighting-to-USB cable that came with your Apple device to connect to the unit. These Apple devices only support audio playback (no video output)
• Apple iPod/iPhone software updates may change functionality results. If you download a newer software version, you may need to reset the head unit and your iPod/iPhone to regain functionality. If this doesn't work, you may need to wait until a newer software update is available.

Software/Firmware Updates (via USB): You can download the latest software/firmware updates for free from the Parrot Support website via a USB thumbdrive. The USB thumbdrive (containing the software/firmware download) is then inserted into the Asteroid Tablet's USB (type-A) port. These updates will enable you to receive new features & improve the product's compatibility. The tested Parrot Asteroid Tablet contained firmware/software version 1.0.0 (as of 3/5/2013).

Audio Section

MOSFET Amplifier: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet is equipped with a 47W (Peak) x 4Ch MOSFET amplifier. You can use the Asteroid Tablet's built-in amplifier to power your factory audio system, or bypass its built-in amp and keep your vehicle's factory amplification.

Equalizer: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet allows you to adjust low, medium, and high frequencies to your preferences. 10 EQ presets (Off, Vocal, Pop, Club, Punchy, Deep, Crystal, Custom 1/2/3) are available. The Custom presets activate the 7-band EQ  (60, 150, 400, 1k, 2k, 6k, 15k Hz).

Car Spatialization: For a better sound-stage you can select your optimal listening position. You can choose from All, Front Left, Front Right or Front. You can also manually adjust the fader & balance control.

Virtual Super Bass Effect: The Virtual Super Bass effect amplifies bass frequencies. The Cutoff Frequency setting allows you to select the bass cutoff frequency for the speakers (the lowest frequency that the speakers can generate naturally). The Virtual Super Bass will then reproduce the frequencies that are lower than this cutoff frequency. The Effect Intensity setting allows you to adjust the level of bass frequencies generated by the Virtual Super Bass effect.

Loudness: The Loudness function is a dynamic adjustment of bass & treble based on listening volume. This function compensates for the human ear's loss of sensitivity to bass & treble frequencies when the volume is low.

Audio Connections: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet is equipped with an 3.5mm auxiliary input and two 3.5mm line-level outputs on the rear-panel of its hide-away box.

• AUX Input: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet's hide-away box is fitted with a rear-panel 3.5mm auxiliary input for connecting an external audio player (such as a portable MP3 player). Audio cable not included.
• Dual Line-Level Outputs: The Parrot Asteroid Tablet's hide-away box contains two 3.5mm line-level outputs (front & rear) that connect to the line-level inputs of an external amplifier in your car audio system. Audio cables not included. Most external amplifiers feature RCA line-level inputs, so you will need a Tabletjack-to-RCA adapter or cable.
• Speaker-Level Outputs: The included wiring harness contains speaker-level output leads to tie into your vehicle's factory audio system.