Car electronics manufacturer Audiovox has announced a new product category at CES 2013. The company has unveiled its first automotive wireless charging cradle with embedded Qi technology. The automotive charging cradle uses the Qi Multi Litz Coil Array.

That particular coil array is designed to deliver more freedom of positioning for Qi equipped smartphones to maximize the charge speed. The wireless charging cradle has a stylish and rugged design that will be available in four different colors to allow users to choose the color that goes along with the vehicle. The charging cradle features a universal design with locking arms.

Audiovox says that the design will hold most smartphones. The charge cradle also features a design that is optimized for heat dissipation, capacitive sensing to activate charging, and features an LED charge indicator. The charge indicator makes it easier to see when the phone is getting power. The system ships with an automotive 12 V adapter and two mounting options are available. Those two mounting options include a suction cup and a cup holder mount. Audiovox is targeting a price of under $70 plus the selected mounting system with availability set for the summer.

The Car Connection device allows the user to keep an eye on vehicle health, driving habits, location, and even offers the ability to restrict cell phone usage while driving. The Car Connection device uses the Sprint wireless network in the US and offers real-time monitoring capability through OmniLink. The Car Connection device will roll out to retailers across the country during Q4 2012.

The device is designed to use an interface that is accessible from laptops, tablets, or smartphones allowing the monitoring of driving habits and vehicle location. The system allows drivers and parents to set up Safety Zones using geo-fences to monitor where teenage drivers are and to assist in stolen vehicle recovery.

The device also has a Lot Spot feature that helps you find your vehicle in a crowded parking lot. The device requires a service plan with one option at $9.95 per month plus a $19.95 one-time activation fee. The yearly plan is also available and $89.95 per year with the same $19.95 activation fee. The device can limit cell phone use as far as voice calls while the vehicle is operating, and it can also eliminate the driver’s ability to text from behind the wheel. The Car Connection will cost $169.99.

Audiovox has now announced that the purchase has been completed at the $166 million price tag plus transaction fees and other expenses. The purchase is expected to benefit cash flow immediately at Audiovox and the Klipsch is expected to generate about $170 million in net sales in fiscal 2012.

The combined value of Klipsch and Audiovox is now about $730 million. Patrick Lavelle, President and CEO of Audiovox Corporation stated, “We are very excited to close this acquisition because it not only adds world-class brands with strong distribution, both domestically and abroad, but it also gives us entre into the high-end installation market at both the residential and commercial level. In addition to #1 market positions in the U.S., Klipsch brands are recognized throughout EMEA, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region, and we plan to continue expansion into other key international markets.” Lavelle continued, “Klipsch R&D capabilities and its quality reputation are second to none, and we intend for that to continue as we welcome the Klipsch team to Audiovox.”

We haven’t heard much out of Audiovox over the last few years, they did trot out the first Blu-ray player for cars at CES this year. Before that, I had not heard from them since I put one of its radios in my car back in the day. Audiovox has signed an agreement to acquire Klipsch and all its worldwide subsidiaries.

The deal will cost Audiovox $166 million and will be paid for with cash on hand and money from a revolving credit line with Wells Fargo Capital Finance. The transaction is expected to close in the next 30 days. Klipsch will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Audiovox, will be run as a stand-alone company, and will continue to be based in Indianapolis.

The Blu-ray player is designed to be installed under a seat or in the storage bin in a vehicle and can connect to any car monitor using HDMI, composite, or component inputs. The player has been road tested to work in horizontal or vertical orientations. Power for the player comes from a 2-pin 12V connector to the vehicles accessory power source and a full function IR remote is included.

The player also ships with an 18-foot IR extension to allow for operation of the device via remote control while the player is hidden. A firmware update will enable WiFi on the device this year. It will ship this spring for $349.99.

Audiovox has announced that it is cutting prices on the systems ahead of the holiday shopping season. The price cut will be offered on both retail systems and systems installed at car dealers. In the retail channel, the new system hardware will cost $199 plus installation.

Audiovox isn’t specific about the price of the dealer system, but it claims the price has been “cut significantly” on the dealer offering as well. At the dealer the systems form Audiovox go under the Advent name.
it’s not clear if the portable DVD player I mentioned before with Flo TV service will get a price cut as well.

The portable DVD player is called the Audiovox 7-inch Portable DVD Player with FLO TV. The FLO TV service offers live access to Mobile TV with content including sports and movies as well as TV shows. Available channels include Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, CNN Mobile, and lots more.

The Audiovox DVD player carries the model number DFL 710 and can be purchased at Best Buy right now in select locations. The device is surprisingly cheap at $199.99 and includes three months of FLO TV service for a limited time.

Qualcomm plan to roll out increased interactive features, datacasting and on-demand viewing, but their biggest push in 2010 will be sports programming.  According to Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs, the company is doubling their sports content, and will be offering over 3,000 hours of sports made up of football, basketball, hockey, tennis, baseball and more.

There’ll also be over 1,200 live sporting events, including Wimbledon and the US Open.  Qualcomm reckon the average FLO TV user watches 25 to 30 minutes of the service every day.  Check out SlashGear columnist Michael Gartenberg’s view on FLO TV here.

The device is a rear sear entertainment system that has a built in PS2. The system can also play movies as well. The entire works is situated inside an all-in-one bin that drops down for viewing. The integration of the PS2 is seamless and no other cables or wires are needed.

The system has a 10.2-inch 16:9 LCD with a built-in dome light. It ships with all you need to play including two sets of IR headphones, and two PS2 games along with a remote and a FM modulator. The device carries an MSRP of $949.99.

The two firms have announced that the FLO TV service will be offered at 12,000 different new car dealers in 85 different markets around the country. The extensive movie TV network that goes along with the hardware is set to debut in Q4 2009.

The FLO TV Auto Entertainment system will be sold under the Audiovox brand and will be compatible with all makes and models of vehicles. The systems will include overhead and headrest units with screens up to 10.5-inches. Many vehicles already on the road will be able to be retrofitted with the system. Annual plans for FLO TV will cost $119 per year and 3-year plans will sell for $299.