There are several trends on the market nowadays as far as car infotainment systems are concerned. For example, some people prefer to keep the navigation and entertainment functions separated, by purchasing an additional GPS-enabled personal navigation device, while others go for fully-integrated, in-dash solutions. However, Fujitsu and TomTom have jointly developed a device that can easily fit in both of these trends, the ECLIPSE AVN4430, an in-vehicle navigation system that combines an in-dash entertainment system with a docking station for a removable (and portable) GPS navigation unit.

Thus, the AVN4430 is built using a very innovative concept, since the actual navigation is provided by an external TomTom unit that can be easily removed and carried around, just as any other PND. This removable unit features a 4.3-inch WQVGA display with touch control for all functions and supports such advanced features as hands-free calling and voice recognition.

Furthermore, the new system also supports several interesting convenience and safer driving features, such as Bluetooth wireless technology, steering wheel control and rear view camera capabilities.

Similar to any in-vehicle navigation/infotainment system, the ECLIPSE AVN4430 can deliver quite a large number of entertainment-related options. Thus, the unit can play DVDs, CDs, CD-R/RWs, MP3 and WMA files, a motorized tilting front panel hiding the slot for the discs. At the same time, the device provides direct access to iPod audio and video via a special cable, with the iPod functions being accessible directly via the display. Furthermore, users can also play music stored onto USB flash drives, since the device even sports a USB port.

As expected, the ECLIPSE AVN4430 is a rather expensive product (more expensive than your average PND, that's for sure), since it will sell for around 850 UD dollars when it arrives in specialized stores this January.


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