Gadgets

Sony Bluetooth Car Stereo

Streaming tunes stored on your MP3 player through your car stereo via an FM transmitter is an experience that usually, well... sucks.

In response, Sony Electronics has introduced a AM/FM CD car stereo that features Bluetooth technology, allowing users with Bluetooth-enabled portable music players to stream music via the short-range wireless standard instead.

Few standalone MP3 players incorporate Bluetooth, but several adapters exist. Additionally, most music-enabled mobile phones have Bluetooth as a standard feature. Once connected, the Sony unit will display album, artist and track information its display; and allow users to play, pause, skip and fast forward and rewind songs using the stereo controls rather than the device.

One downer-it doesn't work with the iPod. It only supports MP3, WMA and ATRAC formatted digital music files.

The Bluetooth car stereo unit will be available in August for an expected retail price of $400.

-- Antony Bruno