CES 2007: Zune Car Accessory from Harman Kardon

Harman Kardon announced the Drive+Play 2 at CES in Las Vegas. During an intimate press conference (we were less than 10 people), Harmon Kardon presented what they say is the ultimate media manager for automotive use. The system enables drivers to safely and conveniently manage multiple portable devices with a single screen and controller.

Even though they said that the Zune version is pending protocol information from Microsoft, the system as been designed to fit the iPod and the Zune.

The system comes with a scroll wheel and four buttons that will let the user navigate through the 3.5” video screen interface. Drive+Play 2 has a user interface of it own and does more than just presenting the video interface of the player you are using. The downside is you will have to get used to a different interface when you are in your car.

An interesting aspect of the HK system is the possibility for the consumer to install the system himself or to have it fully integrated by a professional installer.

The system will retail $399 and a Bluetooth hands free mobile interface will be available for $149. The Drive+Play 2 will be available in April for the US market but this product will be available worldwide in the near future. The Bluetooth interface will be available only in June. A Sirius satellite radio interface should also be available but not price and date information was available.