Bravo View's VS-07A visor monitor is only 8mm thick.
The 2006 Innovations Award winners have just been announced, and there are a lot of cool new products coming out that we think you'll be interested in. Unlike last year, when live traffic and navigation hauled in most of the awards, there doesn't seem to be one single overwhelming trend (though the Cobra NAV ONE 4500 handheld with live traffic that we covered in Issue 13 last year was recognized with the award). These are some technologies to look for in 2006.
Bluetooth: Once written off (prematurely) as insufficiently supported by manufacturers, this short-range wireless standard links devices like smart phones, PDAs, and nav systems and can enable hands-free operation, which makes it ideal for in-vehicle use.
Satellite Radio Replay: Adding memory buffers to XM and SIRIUS receivers lets listeners save, rewind, and enjoy their favorite content again and again.
Video-A-Go-Go: They keep innovating the soccer mom's best friend (also known as "mother's little helper" and "rugrat paralyzers") by adding TiVo-type features, touchscreen PC computing, GPS navigation, built-in video games-and now a second screen with dual DVD players-all so Johnny and Janie stop hitting each other and shut up already.
iPod Integration: Of course, this is going to be a hot category for the foreseeable future.
Here are some cool new award-winning products-more to come next month.
Bravo View won a 2006 Innovations Award for its ultra-thin (pencil-width) Universal 7-inch Passenger Visor Monitor, which adds widescreen (16:9 format) video to virtually any ride (with a separate DVD source required). The visor monitor comes with remote control, on-screen display, and two video inputs. Resolution is 800x480 and the MSRP is $199.
Also listed at $199, the Harman/Kardon Drive + Play won the Innovations Award in the vehicle electronics category for its nifty iPod interface device, which comes with three connected components: a CPU that connects to your iPod and can be hard-wired to your car stereo; a small display that emulates the iPod display and can be mounted on top of the dash so you don't have to take your eyes off the road; and a handy five-button controller that iPod junkies will find intuitive and easy to use.
Upping the ante to a hefty $1,799, Audiovox's Advent brand, for new car dealers, won an Innovations Award for its ADV285, an overhead video system with twin monitors and dual DVDs, designed to calm your unruly offspring by letting them each choose their own viewing pleasure, which should definitely bring some peace and quiet to your back seat unless you've got more than two kids, in which case you're on your own!
That's it for this month. More Innovations to follow!