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Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- While many new vehicles offer only an auxiliary input jack as part of their factory audio system, the 2008 Subaru Impreza takes portable music to the next level with the debut of the company's integrated interface of the popular Apple iPod through the vehicle's audio system.

This seamless integration technology, available as an accessory on select models of the 2008 Subaru Impreza, allows customers to control most iPod functions through the dashboard "head unit" (and steering wheel controls if so equipped) -- including text display of playlist, artist, album and song information, fast forward and rewind, and browsing by playlist, artist, album, Podcast, and Audiobook -- and even charges the music player's battery. Read more

Sept., 26, 2007 - Ford Motor Co. today became the first automaker to offer HD Digital Radio across multiple product lines. The dealer-installed high-definition radio option is now available nationwide on nearly all 2008 model year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Additionally, HD Digital Radio can be installed on many earlier models from 2005, 2006 and 2007. As with SYNC, the extensive availability of HD Digital Radio furthers the company's ongoing efforts to deliver new entertainment technologies to automotive consumers.

"We believe HD Digital Radio will be an important part of Ford's commitment to delivering innovations with mass appeal," said Kim Irwin, Vehicle Personalization and Accessories manager for Ford's Customer Service Division. "We're helping our customers stay connected by supporting the features and functions they want in their vehicles. The dramatically improved audio, text and data features of HD Digital Radio - along with its hundreds of new radio stations - create a compelling combination at the right price." Read more

Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- For drivers on a budget who want to listen to their digital music player, satellite radio or HD Radio on the road, Sony today announced four very connectable Xplod in-dash head units.

For about $140, the new top-of-the-line CD receiver (model CDX-GT520) provides the most options for connectivity in the car. The well-designed head unit supports MP3 and non-DRM WMA and AAC codecs. It is also iPod, satellite radio and HD Radio ready. Plus, it features front, rear and subwoofer preamp outputs; has a flip-down detachable faceplate; and a 13-segment, LCD with blue LED display; and blue key illumination. Read more

Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nissan North America, Inc. today announced pricing on the all-new 2008 Nissan Rogue, which goes on sale September 18 at Nissan dealers nationwide. Rogue is Nissan's first entry into the small crossover SUV segment. It is available in two well-equipped, high-value models, Rogue S and Rogue SL.

The starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the well- equipped 2008 Rogue S is $19,250 for the 2WD model and $20,450 for Rogue S AWD. Pricing for Rogue SL is $20,670 for 2WD and $21,870 for AWD. Read more

September 13, 2007 -- Bowers & Wilkins, the British loudspeaker manufacturer with a global reputation spanning over 40 years renowned for its dedicated pursuit of the perfect loudspeaker design, has partnered with Jaguar - the luxury automobile manufacturer that embodies all that is best in British automobile manufacturing. Together, the two companies have developed a reference quality car audio experience for the 2008 Jaguar XF with fourteen speakers that deliver extraordinary clarity and faithful sound reproduction as the artist intended.

In a sharp departure from the typical OEM car-maker/speaker-supplier relationship, in which speakers and audio components are selected to accommodate “leftover” spaces and available locations, Jaguar and Bowers & Wilkins engineers began their cooperative work even before the new car hit the drawing board. Working together, Bowers & Wilkins and Jaguar engineers performed extensive computer analysis and prototype testing to determine the ideal layout, and locations, for the XF’s fourteen Bowers & Wilkins loudspeakers. Their cooperative efforts targeted a common goal: to deliver the best-ever audio experience in an automobile. Read more

September 5, 2007 – Mercedes-Benz USA just announced a first for U.S. drivers: the ability to send directions directly from their computers to their vehicles. The new technology, called Search & Send, which will be available September 5, has been developed in partnership with Google, Yahoo! and DaimlerChrysler Research, Engineering and Design North America (Palo Alto, CA). It is being phased into the Mercedes-Benz model line starting with select vehicles equipped with Tele Aid, the company’s telematics and emergency response system.

The Search & Send feature allows drivers to plot destinations, addresses and points of interest through the highly popular map sections of the Google or Yahoo! Maps websites and then simply click on a newly introduced “Send to Car” icon. The information is then sent directly to the vehicle’s GPS navigation unit. When the driver gets into the vehicle, pushing the i-button of the Tele Aid system downloads the destination directly to the vehicle’s navigation system and prompts the driver as to whether to start route guidance immediately or save the information for later use. Read more

Aug. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Garmin today announced the nuvi 750, nuvi 760 and the nuvi 770 -- blending the helpful features and functionality of higher-end nuvis with the fashionable form factor of the iconic 200 series.

"The 700 series allows users to truly enjoy the best of both worlds in personal navigation," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales. "Whether you're exploring an unfamiliar city or looking for a new restaurant in your neighborhood, this line of nuvis is the perfect combination of power and portability. And with the nuvi 760 and nuvi 770, you can locate a restaurant, find its number, call in reservations and then hide the nuvi away in a pocket or purse." Read more

Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- TomTom, the world's largest portable navigation solutions provider, today announced the launch of the new TomTom ONE 3RD EDITION in North America. It combines even greater ease-of-use with quality navigation at a very affordable price. The new TomTom ONE 3RD EDITION, comes with TomTom's unique Map Share technology and exclusive 'HELP ME!' features, all for $249.

"The new TomTom ONE 3RD EDITION is the answer for drivers who want a portable navigation device that is easy to use, has the latest maps and technologies and is affordable," said Jocelyn Vigreux, TomTom Inc. president. "With this introduction, we are offering customers a new entry-level navigation device of even higher quality." Read more

August 2007 -- Matt MacAdams and his wife were driving home from visiting a friend in the hospital when they witnessed a horrific traffic accident. A truck collided with a car, killing the passenger in the car and injuring both drivers. One of the drivers was distracted by a cellphone, causing the fatal accident. After helping at the horrific scene and testifying in court, Matt decided to leverage his experience in the wireless industry to make it easier and more affordable for anyone to obtain a headset. He created FreeHeadset.org, an organization dedicated to promoting cell phone safety while driving.

Since FreeHeadset.org’s inception in December 2003, the company has given away over 100,000 headsets to drivers in the United States and Canada and continues to ship thousands of headsets per month. Studies show that the use of hands-free devices greatly improves a driver’s concentration, subsequently decreasing the risk of injuries and deaths. Several states, cities and municipalities around the country are writing new laws that mandate the use of cell phone headsets while driving a car; however, the new laws fail to provide any sort of assistance program to aid in the process of obtaining the actual device. “Using a headset is a very important safety issue that often gets overlooked,” says MacAdams, “Our goal is to encourage people to use headsets by making the process simple, affordable and convenient to own one.” Read more

Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Dodge announced pricing today for the latest addition to Chrysler's popular Street and Racing Technology (SRT) vehicle lineup - the all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4.

Boasting 285 horsepower, 265 lb.-ft. of torque and a 0-60 mph time in the low 6-second range, the all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 is available for $22,995, which includes $560 for destination. The 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 once again delivers the SRT mission of benchmark performance at the lowest price. Read more