Following the U.S. launch of its portable Bluetooth hands-free car kit DriveBlue (read our review), Parrot has announced the U.S. release of its CK3100 Advanced Bluetooth hands-free car kit with LCD display. Easily installed in any vehicle, the CK3100's voice-based LCD screen lets you view and navigate a variety of menu options.

Auto Express, Britain's top selling motoring weekly, awarded the CK3100 its "Accessory of the Year" honors for 2004. According to Auto Express, Parrot's CK3100 is "an 'overall champion' and considered a major step forward for in-car communication."

"Parrot's CK3100 advanced car kit provides all the benefits you expect from today's mobile devices, but not necessarily within a vehicle. The 3100 offers enhanced audio quality through the car's stereo system and is very user-friendly," said Christophe Dissaux, Executive Vice President of Parrot, Inc.

Compatibility with all Bluetooth(R) phones

LCD display that's easy to read.

Phonebook display; caller ID; list of last calls received

Audio, through car speakers, automatically mutes the radio

Quality audio (Digital Signal Processing)

No cradle, No wire, No headset battery to charge

Voice recognition speed-dialing

Software upgradeable

Easy to install - easy to use

Phonebook can be wirelessly downloaded to the car kit

The CK3100 Advanced Car Kit retails for US$249 in the US.