Clarion Corp. of America (CCA) has announced the Next GATE, which offers a way to stay connected in your vehicle with a smartphone controller for the iPhone 4/4S. It's available through Amazon, Crutchfield and at select Best Buy stores and online.  

Next GATE is connected and controls applications residing on the smartphone, allowing for advanced functionality in any virtually any vehicle, according to Frank Pierce, vice president, Clarion Corp. Key vehicle-friendly app partners include: TuneIn, Pandora, Vlingo from Nuance, INRIX Traffic, and Odyssey with more to come.  Likewise Clarion is currently working with multiple app partners to greatly expand the functionality of Next GATE, says Pierce.  

Clarion's new Smart Access Cloud Service for a vehicle will enable users to download additional approved apps under development now and in the future. Bluetooth functionality allows for hands-free calling and enables iPhone features such as voice dialing and voice activation.

The Next GATE uses a windshield mount and built-in speaker, microphone and audio output for a vehicle auxiliary jack. Original content is offered via Next GATE with apps exclusive to the smartphone controller.

Clarion's Next GATE has a suggested retail price of US$269.99. To learn more go to http://www.clarion.com/us .