Sony Xplod XAV-701BT
By ZAM KARIM
bytz@thestar.com.my
SONY'S four new Xplod AV receivers feature MirrorLink technology which allows them to seamlessly pair with smartphones. The XAV-701BT, XAV-741, XAV-64BT and XAV-63 will then replicate a smartphone's features and applications on the receiver's screen.
Drivers will be able to access and control their phone directly from the Xplod screen while at the same time stay focused on the road, said Sony.
MirrorLink is an open industry standard introduced by the Car Connectivity Consortium, an organisation dedicated to developing global standards for smartphone in-car connectivity. It has 56 members that include AV manufacturers and car makers.
The feature essentially mirrors the functions of the phone on the Xplod but it is only available through a wired connection. Sony said it opted not to use wireless connectivity because it'll drain battery faster - a wired connection, on the other hand, will allow the system to charge the phone.
At the moment, the MirrorLink feature only works with Android and Nokia Symbian phones.
iPhone and iPod users are not left out - the Xplod systems can still work with these devices using the
Passenger App Control function but mirroring is limited to streaming videos and music.
The higher-end 701BT and 741 models have a 7in touchscreen as well as two USB ports to connect MP3 players and thumbdrives. The 64BT and 63 come with a 6.1in touchscreen.
The 701BT and 64BT also have built-in Bluetooth connectivity for making handsfree calls.
The Xplod 701BT (RM2,088), 741 (RM1,888), 64BT (RM1,488) and 63 (RM1,288) are available now.
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www.sony.com.my