Product Name: Pioneer AVIC-F500BT
Description: Pioneer launched the AVIC-F500BT an hybrid in-dash navigator and media controller that links your MP3 player, cell phone, and Bluetooth devices while helping you figure out where you’re going. The pre-loaded mapping data from Tele Atlas covers the entire United States, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii, and you can view them on the 5.8-inch touchscreen in overhead or moveable 3D mode. It has a USB port and an SD card slot, so you can use it to play your MP3s and WMAs too. The integrated Bluetooth lets you make hands-free calls, and you can even control your music player or phone via voice commands thanks to VoiceBox’s Conversational Voice Search technology. MSN Direct is also available on the device (with a paid subscription, natch), so you can get your traffic and weather together. But wait… there’s more! It’s also a portable media player with built-in speakers and a rechargeable battery. Sorry, no slicing or dicing. Yet.
Price: Not yet set.
In-store date: Spring 2008.
Site: www.pioneerelectronics.com
Why it’s cool: Hey, the less time you spend fiddling with your phone and your iPod while driving, the less likely you’ll try to cut me off on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, thereby letting you live longer. Besides, who doesn’t want to talk to their iPod?