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Re-activateIf you can't beat them, join them. In a surprising move, Sony has teamed up with TomTom to provide navigation services for a range of in-dash audio/video systems. The partnership has the two electronics giants focused on their core strengths, making this an efficient strategy in targeting a relatively modest market.
The two units are the Sony XNV-770BT with a 7-inch motorized touchscreen ($1,300) and XNV-660BT with a 6.1-inch touchscreen ($1,000). Each system provides multi-channel audio capable of creating virtual surround sound, along with iPod and other MP3 player integration. There is a "SensMe" feature that can create playlists from connected music sources.
TomTom provides all the expected navigation guidance, based around maps of the United States and Canada. (There is one year of free map updates included, accessed through TomTom Home.) Key features include spoken street names, IQ Routes with historic traffic data, lane guidance, and convenient "Help Me!" to provide information on local emergency services. These systems include six million points of interest.
As you can see in the photos, the Sony devices use the familiar TomTom graphics for maps and menus, making it truly seem like they have a TomTom inside.
The Sony XNV-770BT and XNV-660BT go on sale in November.
—Jeff Bartlett
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