Entertainment system

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., June 16, 2008 -- Audiovox Corporation (Nasdaq: VOXX) today announced that it has filed a complaint for patent infringement suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against INViSiON Industries, Inc., a Florida corporation based in Kissimmee, Florida.

This action alleges infringement on three of Audiovox Corporation's U.S. Patents -- Nos. 6,899,365, 7,245,274 and D448,099 -- all of which apply to headrest-mounted, rear-seat entertainment systems for automobiles. These patents protect Audiovox's commercially successful line of headrest-mounted, rear-seat automobile entertainment systems. The Company intends to vigorously protect its intellectual property and rights and is taking the necessary steps to seek remediation in this matter.

New partnership will globalize innovative in-car infotainment

SEOUL, South Korea, May 6, 2008 /PRNewswire - FirstCall/ -- Today, Microsoft Corp. and Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group (HKAG) entered into a long-term agreement to co-develop the next generation of in-car infotainment systems. Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft, and Mongku Chung, chairman of HKAG, were present as Martin Thall, general manager of Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit, and Hyun Soon Lee, president and chief technology officer of HKAG, signed the agreement in Seoul.

Together, Microsoft and HKAG will deliver new and innovative solutions based on the Microsoft Auto software platform, bringing the future of in-car technology to Hyundai-Kia drivers worldwide.

Feb. 20, 2008, IRVINE, Calif. – Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced a new accessory available for the multiple-award-winning 2008 Mazda CX-9. Providing hours of entertainment for those long hauls, the Dockable Entertainment System with Game Boy® Advance (DES) is now available, and allows customers with moonroof-equipped vehicles to enjoy a Genuine Mazda Accessory rear seat DVD system.

December 20, 2007 – Torrance, CA - The introduction of the 2008 Lexus LX 570 all-new luxury utility vehicle, afforded Lexus' exclusive entertainment system partner, Mark Levinson, the opportunity to implement a discrete 5.1 surround sound system equal in both luxury and performance to the vehicle in which it will be housed. The result was Mark Levinson Reference Surround, a 19-speaker, 450-watt audio system initially designed for and launched on the 2007 LS 460 and now available for the first time in the all-new 2008 LX 570.

2008 Lexus LX 570

What Constitutes "Reference Surround?"

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Nine of 10 Owners of Rear-Seat Entertainment Systems Say They Would Recommend Their System

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., 28 November 2007 — Panasonic occupies the top three rank positions among rear-seat entertainment systems, with the Panasonic system supplied to the Honda Odyssey leading in overall rear-seat entertainment customer satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Rear-Seat Entertainment Usage and Satisfaction StudySM released today.

Now in its fourth year, the study measures the satisfaction of owners who recently purchased a vehicle with a factory-installed rear-seat entertainment system. Four factors are examined to measure owner satisfaction: appearance, video screen, system operation and audio.

Ford Motor Company and Colombian Rocker Get SYNC-ronized

DEARBORN, Mich., October 22, 2007 – Your voice now gives you the power to control your phone and mp3 player inside your car. Ford Motor Company is introducing, a new factory-installed, in-car communications and entertainment system that uses voice commands to access your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone, digital music player and, when paired to a compatible mobile phone, will even reads your text messages.

* Popular Mechanics’ “Breakthrough Awards” recognize products that set new benchmarks in design, creativity, and engineering; Ford SYNC™ is one of only 10 products honored in 2007.
* SYNC, developed in association with Microsoft, is a fully integrated, voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system that works most digital media players and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones.
* SYNC will be available on 12 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles this year and nearly all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles within two years.