Get In-Car Entertainment Without Buying a New Ride - 2013

In-dash screens were all the rage at this year's International Consumer Electronics Show. Just about every car company ramped up their in-vehicle entertainment systems to include options for using your smartphone apps on the road.

But what if your car is a little older and you still want to enjoy the latest car technology? That's where an after-market product like Pyle Audio's 10.1-inch In Dash Touch-Screen Bluetooth/DVD Receiver comes in handy. It's a second screen for your car that connects to your iPhone,Android phone or any hand-held Bluetooth-enabled tablet. Once paired, you can stream audio directly from your hand-held device to the larger screen in the dash.

"Our state of the art sound system not only delivers crystal clear audio, it also allows hands on touch-screen control of our favorite media on one of the largest in-dash screens in the industry" says Pyle Audio’s Abraham Brach. The receiver is compatible with VCD, MPEG4, MP3, DIVX, CD and CD-RW.

You'll most likely use this for playing audio from your handheld or streaming your calls but it will also be great for GPS navigation if you're alone or your passenger isn't up to speed on the way Google Maps works. The device's memory features auto store and preset scans so you spend more time looking at the road and not at the screen.Whenever we see more screens in the car, we're always a little worried about driver safety but Pyle's Brach says "We pride ourselves on creating enhanced in-vehicle audio and video experiences, while also keeping in mind the safety of drivers and passengers alike."

That's something we hear from most auto makers when we ask about in-vehicle entertainment and safety. The issue is when you give up control of your smartphone, which you likely can use in your sleep, you need to learn the controls and functions of the new UI in the car. One can only hope as these systems get more prevalent, they'll also get a little easier to navigate.

For added safety, if your car has a rearview/back-up camera it will automatically be displayed on the screen when the car is in reverse. The touchscreen panel is also fully detachable so you can stash it away when you're not using it. The adjustable screen remembers its last position so users can find and retain their perfect viewing angle without a lot of fidgeting.

The In Dash Touch-Screen Bluetooth/DVD Receiver is available for $284.99, but keep in mind you'll likely have to pay an installation fee to get it wired properly, which will add to the cost. Would you add an after-market feature like this to your car? Let us know in the comments.