Pure has unveiled the latest Highway in-car digital radio adapters.
Two new models will go on sale through exclusive launch partner Halfords in April. The Pure Highway 400 and Highway 600 add to digital radio features with more content, including music streaming service Spotify.
Built-in Bluetooth also allows access to smartphone personal assistants, and in the case of the Pure Highway 600, handsfree calling. Both adapters will be easy to fit and include a wireless display controller which can be placed anywhere on the dashboard. An antenna is fixed to the windscreen and a power cable can be tucked behind the car interior.
The move to wireless technology will be welcome news to drivers interested in digital radio but wary of the cables which can be left trailing across a dashboard.
Pure promise that the digital radio feature is “a breeze to use” and reception will be bolstered by new “advanced antenna technology”. The Highway devices will switch between broadcast stations so radio listening is not interrupted as owners drive around the country.
The new Highway devices include features like music discovery. When listening to a station on digital radio the ‘Go’ button can be used to identify the track and save it in a Pure Go playlist. Voice activation works with Siri and ‘Ok Google’ with handsfree calling available on the Highway 600.
Spotify already works with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and both Highway models bring the music streaming service to older vehicles. It will be possible to scroll through songs, artists, albums and playlists with the Highway controller.
“We have a long heritage in developing award-winning digital radio products for the car and have rolled this experience into our most exciting product launch ever,” said Paul Smith, Pure’s general manager.
The new adapters will give owners of the 30+ million UK vehicles without digital radio an easy way to upgrade. Although 80% of new cars come with digital radio as standard, the process of adding DAB to older cars and vans has been expensive or unreliable for many.
The Pure Highway 400 and 600 adapters come with the new digital tick mark. Both devices will be available in Halfords from April at £129.99 and £149.99. The Highway Go app is required for some features. More information is available at www.pure.com/highway.