Magellan Intros Own Car Kit For iPhone/iPod toch

Copycat companies are known to exist within the consumer electronics space, and while we wouldn't classify Magellan as one of those, there's no doubt that TomTom's initial attempt at a real-deal iPhone 3G GPS dock influenced the design of this one. The Magellan Car Kit for iPhone and iPod touch does exactly what you'd expect: it docks your iPod touch, iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS within your car, and it converts your smartphone into a route-spewing tool.

The kit features an integrated GPS tuner, an amplified speaker, turn-by-turn directions, the ability to recharge the device while it's in use and an auxiliary audio output (for connection to your car stereo). Bluetooth is also included for hands-free calling, but you'll have to pay $129.99 in order to get it. The one major boon here is that Magellan doesn't restrict this to just one application, so it looks as if you can just bring any iPhone/iPod touch GPS application to the table and watch this work.

Features of the Premium Car Kit include the following:

• Secure vehicle mounting for iPhone or iPod touch
• Accommodates most silicon skins and hard shell cases
• Adjustable mount securely rotates iPhone to either portrait or landscape mode for optimal positioning and widescreen route display
• Recharges battery via the vehicle power outlet
• Amplified speaker with volume control for loud and clear phone calls and directions
• Noise canceling microphone for full duplex speakerphone operation
• Auxiliary audio output (for connection to your car stereo)
• Works with all navigation applications (including the Magellan RoadMate for iPhone application)
• Bluetooth enables hands-free calling

Available now for pre-order, the car kit will retail for $129.99 and will be available at Amazon.com, Best Buy, and MagellanGPS.com.