Sony joins the in-car iPod wagon

If you’re sick of fumbling with your iPod while hurtling down the freeway Sony have just the thing with the announcement of four new Xplod in-dash head units that are able to connect directly to compatible iPods and allow users to charge and control their iPod devices on the road. Each new unit supports HPF/LPF sound quality, feature 52 watts X 4 peak output enhancements and, if you’re one of the few holding out from joining the iPod brigade, there’s an auxiliary input on the faceplates, facilitating the use of other portable music players with a standard 1/8-inch mini jack cord, which is available separately.

The top-of-the-line CDX-GT630UI unit is Sony’s first car stereo that can connect directly to iPod players, other digital music players and USB thumb drives via a USB connection, allowing users to control and charge their devices. It also includes Sony’s ‘ZAPPIN’ function, which operates similarly to most car stereos’ scan buttons by continuously playing a series of short music clips from your own music library until you can find your favorite song to match your mood. The head unit’s Quick-BrowZer feature allows users to control and select music via the “rotate and push” button and the Jump Mode is designed to lets users quickly search through even the largest music libraries while the DM+ technology enhances the sound quality of compressed audio files. The receiver supports MP3 and non-DRM WMA and non-DRM AAC codecs and is satellite radio ready and HD Radio ready. It also features front, rear and subwoofer preamp outputs; has a flip-down detachable faceplate; and a 13-segment, LCD with black LED display; and blue and green switchable key illumination.

The CDX-GT430IP CD receiver comes with a 1.5-meter cable with a 30-pin connector to provide full iPod menu control and allows the head unit to charge compatible iPod devices. The unit’s selectable front and rear/sub preamp outputs can be used to control the frequency and output level of an external amplifier and, like the CDX-GT630UI, it features Quick-BrowZer, Passenger Control and Jump Mode technologies, satellite radio and HD Radio ready compatibility, and MP3 and non-DRM WMA playback.

The CDX-GT330 unit looses a few features from its more expensive stable mates, but ssers can increase the CDX-GT330 unit’s connectivity by purchasing an adapter that charges a compatible iPod device and controls it from the head unit. The unit also retains HD Radio and satellite radio ready functionality, MP3 and non-DRM WMA playback support and two preouts, while the bottom of the line CDX-GT130 CD receiver has one preout and a detachable faceplate with a black 13-segment LED screen.

The CDX-GT630UI, CDX-GT430IP and CDX-GT330 head units come with a wireless card remote, so the kids in the back can drive the parents crazy by controlling the music from the back seat.

The new CDX-GT630UI, CDX-GT430IP, CDX-GT330 and CDX-GT130 stereos will cost retail for roughly US$160, $130, $100 and $80 respectively and will be available this September at retailers across the US.

For further info visit Sony.