SmartMirror Coming To Major Retailers In Q4

By Amy Gilroy -- TWICE, 10/13/2008

GRAND BLANC, MICH. — Azentek, which boasts Microsoft and Intel as partners, is shipping a SmartMirror for the car that includes touchscreen navigation and Bluetooth hands-free calling directly from the rearview mirror.

Azentek said it is the first supplier to place a high-end touchscreen GPS in a rearview mirror.

The replacement mirror includes a 4-inch display section for GPS. It offers full turn-by turn directions with text-to-speech pronunciation of street names and built-in maps of the U.S. and North America. The system uses Navigon software and offers a 3-D view of major intersections to show signage and lanes.

For hands-free calling, users hit a button on the mirror. The mirror may also be used as a monitor for a backup camera.

SmartMirror has a suggested retail of $799, and went into back order after launching in August, mainly through car dealerships. It will be sold through major retailers by the end of the year said Pete Muller, Azentek sales and marketing VP.

He claimed the company has sold "thousands" of the mirrors since August. "We didn't really anticipate it taking off quite so quickly. It's a new brand and new type of product. We're having trouble keeping up with the demand."