Phoenix, Arizona (NAPSI) - To help you stay in the know while on the go, today’s cars are equipped with all kinds of clever ways to keep you, the driver, informed and connected—and, more important, doing so in a much safer way.

If your car isn’t already equipped to keep you connected, it’s actually easy to add a device that will transform your car into a “connected car.” For example, one of the most smartphone-friendly options for the car today is the latest smartphone-powered in-dash receiver, AppRadio 3, which replaces your current car stereo, and through the free AppRadio app (available in the Apple iTunes App Store and Google Play Store) control dozens of compatible apps ranging from entertainment to navigation. Using similar touch and motion gestures that you’re already accustomed to with your smartphone, you can more safely access these features on a high-resolution, 7-inch capacitive touchscreen. For additional safety and convenience, the receiver offers a variety of other important in-vehicle technologies:

• iPhone and Android OS connectivity—The receiver offers connectivity with the most popular smartphones, on both iOS and Android operating systems. Most iPhones, including iPhone 5, and dozens of Android devices are compatible, enabling drivers to simply plug in and go.

• Bluetooth—With built-in Bluetooth technology, you have the freedom to leave your phone in your pocket or purse and have the ability to make hands-free calls and stream music wirelessly without having to plug in your phone. You’ll have the added convenience of controlling music coming from the device directly on the large touchscreen display of the in-dash receiver.

• MirrorLink—Formed by the Car Connectivity Consortium, MirrorLink lets users connect compatible smartphones to an in-dash receiver like AppRadio 3 via an optional MirrorLink cable, to access the three essentials needed in the car—contacts, music and navigation apps.

• Voice Control—The convenience of voice control helps to keep attention and eyes on the road, where they need to be, and not on a phone. The receiver offers two voice technology options to do that:

• Siri Eyes Free—For consumers who use an iPhone 4S or the latest iPhone 5. When activated, the Siri voice prompt plays through the vehicle’s speakers, and questions and commands are received and transmitted using the included microphone. This gives you access to perform many iPhone functions, including music selection, listening to and composing text messages, maps, calendar information, reminders and more.

• Voice Recognition for Android—Consumers with compatible voice-enabled Android smartphones can use Google Voice for hands-free calling and finding and playing stored music on the device. AppRadio 3 (SPH-DA210) also includes playback of conventional media with a CD/DVD slot and an AM/FM tuner. It was developed by the experts of in-vehicle entertainment, Pioneer Electronics, and provides rich and powerful sound quality for an enhanced driving experience.

For more information, visit www.pioneerelectronics.com, or to see a video of how AppRadio 3 works, visit www.appradioknows.com.

You can also keep in touch with Pioneer by visiting Facebook.com/PioneerNorthAmerica , Youtube.com/Pioneerelectronics and Twitter.com/PioneerUSA.