The car stereo usually comes with a touch screen to control an in-dash car stereo, and it is also called as “head unit”, “ car radio”, “car DVD player”, and “ sat nav”. You may tell the functions of a car stereo from these names, speaker, radio, navigation, CD/ DVD player, which are the most basic functions you can find on the radio of a car. (if you are looking for a cost-efficient unit, WinCE OS-based car stereo may suit your requirement well.)

Despite the WinCE or Android OS, Bluetooth connectivity is listed on the major functions of a car stereo to provide users the easy and cozy driving time. Music streaming, hands-free calling, and phonebook access and sync are all available thanks to the Bluetooth function.

Some other people call the car stereo as an infotainment system, or multimedia car player, as many other functions are possessed in such a unit. For example, smartphone mirror-link, steering wheel audio control, USB/ SD card input, reverse camera display. The Android OS-based stereo offers you free downloading options and more powerful functions if your budget allows. Popular functions including Android Auto/ Apple CarPlay driving assistant, DAB+ digital radio, OBD car diagnostic tool, are integrated or optional.

All in all, any functions that may help to make your driving comfier, safer, and smarter, the car stereo manufactures are all taken into serious consideration.

Do remember to check your original car radio height (1 Din or 2 Din) before picking the size of the display screen if you want the new car stereo can be fit perfectly.

Android and WinCE are different kinds of operating systems. Android is based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open-source software, designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. WinCE is an operating system subfamily developed by Microsoft as part of its Windows Embedded family of products.

Android car stereo supports to install the apps whatever you want, like the media players/streaming apps (Pandora, Google Play Music, etc).  PUMPKIN Android car stereo also supports phone mirroring, so you can control your phone on the car stereo.

WinCE OS can easily adapt to the hardware and it will not update any time soon. WinCE OS is relatively stable and there is little scope for problems and bugs.

The hardware of Android car stereo is often more powerful than WinCE counterparts, which makes the general cost to build is higher. That’s why the Android car stereo is often more expensive than the WinCE car stereo.

LM-WIN8 User Manual