Sony today announced its first in-dash car navigation systems for the U.S. market, featuring technology powered by industry leader TomTom.

Designed to offer drivers the ultimate package of technology, innovation and style, the new XNV-770BT and XNV-660BT A/V navigation systems feature some of the most advanced car audio, video and navigational technologies in market today.

“TomTom’s expertise in navigation and our long-standing tradition of premium audio and video are strongly represented with these new in-dash systems,” said Mike Kahn, director of Sony’s mobile music business. “This unique partnership and exciting product offerings represent a huge step forward for Sony in the mobile electronics business.”

“We are delighted to work with Sony to deliver powerful, feature-rich navigation to their savvy consumers, ensuring a stress-free, enjoyable drive,” said Giles Shrimpton, managing director, TomTom Automotive. “Our joint innovations in this arena will incorporate flexible hardware design with standard interfaces that allow for easy updating in the future.”

Industry-Leading Navigation

Both of Sony’s new systems, the XNV-770BT (7-inch widescreen display) and XNV-660BT (6.1-inch widescreen display) come pre-loaded with TomTom’s extensive map database of both U.S. and Canada roads, with one free year of map upgrades provided at no incremental charge. In the U.S. alone, TomTom maps feature more than 1 million more miles of roads than other GPS brands.

Further, each system will take full advantage of several of TomTom’s advanced navigational technologies, including:

* IQ Routes™ evaluates all route options based on actual traffic speeds rather than posted speed limits, and will recommend the fastest route for the time of day.
* Advanced Lane Guidance™ provides enhanced lane graphics that show which lane to take in complex multi-lane situations.
* Quick GPSfix™ automatically updates satellite locations to get the driver on their way faster.
* MapShare™ from TomTom and its enormous navigation community enables drivers to correct their maps and benefit from changes made by other drivers via your computer and the free software TomTom HOME.
* More than 6 million points of interest including gas stations, restaurants, hotels, hospitals and more.

Premium Car Audio and Video

Each of Sony’s new A/V Navigation systems features a high quality WVGA display that offers one of the brightest and highest contract screens available in market today. The XNV-770BT model is a 7-inch, fully capacitive touch motorized panel display and the XNV-660BT model is a 6.1-inch capacitive touch with several hard keys such as volume and key menu buttons.

Both new A/V systems feature rear USB-1 wire connectivity for simple hookup to iPod®, iPhone® and other digital music players, full Bluetooth capability and a stylish graphical user interface (GUI) that includes large, easy-touch buttons. When listening to a connected device, the music playback screen will display all song metadata and album artwork.

On the audio front, the new XNV-660BT and XNV-770BT models feature multi-channel playback with Center Speaker Organizer (CSO), creating virtual 5.1 channel surround sound throughout the car. The advanced sound engine (ASE) ensures a high-quality, digitally enhanced sound experience and allows users to customize the in-car sound field to match their tastes. Further, Sony’s unique SensMe™ feature has the ability to automatically create custom music playlists and radio channels from a connected music library.

Both the new XNV-770BT and XNV-660BT A/V navigation systems will be available this November for about $1,300 and $1,000, respectively, at www.sonystyle.com, Sony Style retail stores and throughout the Sony authorized dealer network nationwide.