Now you can control and enjoy music, navigation and other smartphone apps safely while on the move. With the first MirrorLink™ compatible in-car AV centre head unit from Sony, you’re always in touch with your digital world while you’re behind the wheel.

Just connect your MirrorLink™ certified smartphone to the XAV-601BT and you’re ready for the road. As well as making and receiving calls safely, it’s easy to interact with your phone’s media collection and compatible apps while your smartphone’s battery charges via USB. You can even get directions and interact via the large 15.5cm (6.1”) touchpanel with your phone’s built-in navigation app (NB: supported functions depend on capabilities of connected smartphone).

From launch, the XAV-601BT offers guaranteed MirrorLink™ compatibility with these Symbian smartphones: Nokia 701, 700, 603, N8, E7, C7, X7, C6-01. The head unit is future-proofed with simple firmware updates to add compatibility with more apps and a growing range of smartphones from other manufacturers.

You don’t even have to be driver to enjoy all the fun. Passenger App Control lets travel companions view videos and interact with apps from their connected iPhone® and iPod Touch® on the head unit’s touchscreen. (NB: iPod video playback requires optional cable).

Dual USB ports allow simultaneous connection of two portable devices. Make calls and use your smartphone’s navigation app, while browsing album artwork and playlists on your iPod/iPhone or Walkman® or listening to tracks stored on USB flash memory.

Music searches, control of linked devices and other functions are a pleasure via the touchscreen’s speedy, responsive ‘3D-style’ interface. Choose your background wallpaper image, or select from a choice of six eye-grabbing visualisations that bring music playback to life.

Audio/video quality of the XAV-601BT is everything you’d expect from Sony’s range-topping AV Centre head unit. You’ll enjoy detail-packed DVD video playback, plus a clear view of playlists and album artwork on the large 15.5cm (6.1”) WVGA touchscreen.

Pristine video is teamed with unmatched in-car sound. Immerse yourself in the emotion of a live concert with 4.1 multi-channel surround sound plus a virtual centre speaker. Sony’s unique Advanced Sound Engine lets you fine-tune each performance with a wide palette of sonic refinements to suit your mood and your music collection. Unique to Sony, radio reception is enhanced by a Digital Clarity Tuner that improves stereo channel separation and sound quality if you’re driving in areas with weak FM signal coverage.

Naturally the XAV-601BT supports Bluetooth® for safe hands-free calls from your phone, and wireless music streaming from your Walkman® or Bluetooth®-enabled MP3 player.

For additional peace of mind, the XAV-601BT features a removable front panel that detaches in an instant for improved anti-theft security while you’re away from the vehicle.

About MirrorLink™

MirrorLink™ is a technology standard developed by the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) that unites many of the world’s major electronics, automotive and mobile communications companies.

With MirrorLink™, drivers can safely access many of their smartphone’s capabilities from behind the wheel, without looking at or touching the phone itself.

MirrorLink™ seamlessly connects your phone with your vehicle’s information and entertainment system. Approved applications and content are ‘mirrored’ from the mobile device onto the display of your in-dash head unit. This connectivity allows you to interact safely with your smartphone via the car’s head unit display, steering wheel buttons and audio system.

The new XAV-601BT in-car AV Centre with MirrorLink™ compatibility by Sony is available in Europe from June 2012.