Azentek SmartMirror heading to "major retailers" by end of the year

Azentek apparently managed to get a few of its SmartMirror rearview mirror replacements out the door back in August, but that brief spat of availability promptly gave way to back orders and waiting lists, and no doubt a few disappointed customers. According to the company, however, it's now not only ramping up production of the GPS-packing mirrors, but promising that they'll be available at "major retailers" by the end of the year as well. In case you missed it the first time around, the $800 device crams a 4-inch GPS unit up alongside an apparently standard-sized rearview mirror, and it surprisingly doesn't skimp on too many features, with it boasting handsfree Bluetooth calling, a built-in speaker, text-to-speech functionality, and an SD card slot for expansion (a 2GB card is included). For some true redundancy, you can also use the mirror as a monitor for a rearview camera.

[Via TWICE]

[zoopthegame @ Oct 8th 2008 7:33PM]

Fools. Apple invented this.

[Malikye @ Oct 8th 2008 7:41PM]

yes, Apple invented the rear-view mirror...

...what's up with these fanboys?

[zoopthegame @ Oct 8th 2008 7:50PM]

Sorry dude, APPLE DID NOT INVENT THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR.

You are just a freaking crazy fanboy.

[Squid7085 @ Oct 8th 2008 8:26PM]

I am an Apple Fanboy and what you just said made me go WTF? I mean, not they didn't, I don't know how to build on that. Apple doesn't "Invent" much of anything, they build upon or make better certain things, but Apple has yet to "reinvent" the Rear-View Mirror, Unless you know something we don't....

[Sobczek @ Oct 8th 2008 8:50PM]

Ha. Can you fools not understand humor? I know sarcasm is hard to spot in text, but, c'mon.

[Squid7085 @ Oct 8th 2008 8:59PM]

It's only Humor if people find it funny.

[timmy @ Oct 9th 2008 8:51AM]

If a joke is told in the woods and there is no one there to hear it is it still funny?

[Nate @ Oct 8th 2008 7:40PM]

In other news, another opportunity for "porn-on-the-go" has reared its ugly head.

[Towncivilian @ Oct 8th 2008 7:41PM]

Great, another reason for thieves to break into cars.

[EmoChicksAreHot.....Seriously @ Oct 8th 2008 11:17PM]

Incorrect.

Another excuse a judge has to hear when someone get's in an accident by using this thing.Better yet,another excuse the insurance company gets to hear when this gps drives him into lake,railroad tracks,etc..

[Hdgmansurnat Ionalislamicsociety @ Oct 8th 2008 7:45PM]

Seems like a very large unnecessary distraction.

[Lowest Ranked @ Oct 8th 2008 7:49PM]

In Illinois, nothing is as it seems. A place where highways immediately change from 2 lanes to 4 and where guard rails appear magically.

[stealth658 @ Oct 8th 2008 7:52PM]

Using the rearview camera on the mirror isn't redundant. It's actually really useful in big cars (SUVs/minivans/etc) as the camera lets you see more than just the rearview mirror, so you don't end up running over a little kid that you otherwise might not see.

[Valicore @ Oct 8th 2008 7:56PM]

Can we make this mandatory (the rearview camera part) in California? Everytime the temperature raises above 90 people back over their children en masse. WTF is the problem?!?!?

[Lowest Ranked @ Oct 8th 2008 8:09PM]

Valicore, I fail to see the problem. I say less mirrors and more heat waves.

[Valicore @ Oct 8th 2008 7:53PM]

Erm, I'm somehow guessing that this will more likely increase accidents. "Hmmm, now how to I enter my address, let's just see the manual, ok, keep eyes on th" BOOM....

[happy_penguin @ Oct 8th 2008 8:00PM]

Like any other technology that people use on the road, there will be those who embrace it in a safe manner and those who look at it like "oooh shiny"! I doubt it'll be any more dangerous that someone stuffing a cheeseburger down their throat while applying makeup and talking on the cell phone and taking notes while driving 80 miles per hour.

[Das Boot @ Oct 9th 2008 8:34AM]

@happypenguin,

I personally drive with my cell phone in one shoulder, a big mac on my other hand and a book on my other. I try to steer with my knees. You may ask, "why not use bluetooth or a headset?" well im kinda fat so that stuff hurts my ears. I have been driving like this for years and have yet to have had an accident. I have killed quite a few cats though. I think its time for the ultimate breakfast sandwich from BK.

[Kevin @ Oct 8th 2008 8:07PM]

This is actually pretty nice looking. I found a review here: http://blog.sounddomain.com/gadget/2008/09/azentek-smart-m.html, and it doesn't seem too large. I have been looking for all-in-one solutions for GPS and bluetooth. My choices are now this and a new Deck. Hmmm...

Does anyone around here have a stereo deck that does GPS? If so, how do you like it? One thing I don't like about most of them is that the GPS software doesn't look very good.

One thing the mirror has going for it is that if you need to look at the map you would have greater vision of the road as opposed to looking down to see the stereo. Although, the larger screen (7") of the double-din deck might even that advantage.

Oh well. Tis but luxuries, shouldn't get too consumed in it.

[holycow @ Oct 8th 2008 8:15PM]

Definitely a new deck! You'll probably need to fork out ~1000$ for it but it'll be worth it, You won't have to work around wires in the car as this will obviously be powered through the lighter outlet. Hands free integration with your car speakers is definitely better than having sound come out through the speakers in that mirror. I think these points are more than enough, let alone the multimedia capabilities of the new deck!

[Kevin @ Oct 8th 2008 8:28PM]

Any recommendations?

[holycow @ Oct 8th 2008 9:37PM]

I don't really know much about these things, but there are quite a few decent ones in Future Shop
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/subclass.asp?catid=12038&mfr=&logon=&langid=EN&MSCSProfile=3C79F0C7EA3162B2CBD0FBE711EB53EB6DF4AAE7222E8E8A2B51993645D9C958004725AB5662E22C72B55606C01BAD817463943E49DAEDD0BFF59630BB135883BEDF7B839A612DB659E98A7D371605D5BB1273747969605B76F5CBC14610FD9613AD65DD46137B9ED38A46BD95AF112CD1CD1119A9D2EB76CD1236FCA5BEBCCD498B8EE1F6DDECC513CA1A43D5A63C2F15A7298E285B798C11FB733D72BB232541A40204D1801935F8FA989CD3F06583FCA647C644FB913876300E153D9D4325821557FA50C03DFF&sort=0&page=0&list=

It all depends on how much you are willing to pay it. And I would recommend a Pioneer.

[holycow @ Oct 8th 2008 8:09PM]

Now this GPS is telling me to "exit Right" to Chicago and the other one was telling me to "Keep Left" to Rockford... now I'm confused!

[Al @ Oct 8th 2008 8:22PM]

How to you prevent thieves breaking windows for those?

[Squid7085 @ Oct 8th 2008 8:58PM]

How do you prevent a thief from breaking the window and stealing anything from your car?

[Al @ Oct 9th 2008 12:43AM]

you take valuable with you. This unit doesn't seem to be that removable. That's my point.

[Squid7085 @ Oct 8th 2008 8:28PM]

Question, does this mirror run Navigon software or are they somehow affiliated with them? Because that my friends is the Navigon UI.

[Knives_Out @ Oct 8th 2008 8:34PM]

aZnTek y0!

[dustandechoes91 @ Oct 8th 2008 8:43PM]

Hey I drove on 290 today.

[kastonie @ Oct 9th 2008 12:02AM]

so what was your choice? Rockport, or Chicago?

[CraigJ @ Oct 8th 2008 8:50PM]

I'd put the screen on the left side (right is cool in the UK and Japan). I also need my home link transmitter and buttons...

[BigD145 @ Oct 8th 2008 9:01PM]

Why is my rear view mirror showing a front view as well? So confused! *crash*

[Johan S @ Oct 8th 2008 9:37PM]

That's nothing, I replaced my entire windshield with an plasma TV.

[essemm @ Oct 8th 2008 9:46PM]

Chi-town, baby.

[BJB @ Oct 8th 2008 10:25PM]

"...but that brief spat of availability..."

Those squiggly lines under your typing are trying to tell you something.

Spat: A cloth or leather gaiter covering the shoe upper and the ankle and fastening under the shoe with a strap. Often used in the plural.
a slight quarrel [probably imitative]

Spate: 1: freshet , flood
2 a: a large number or amount b: a sudden or strong outburst : rush

[mithinco @ Oct 8th 2008 10:30PM]

Warning: objects in mirror are closer than they appear

No, not in the rear view mirror ;P

[kastonie @ Oct 9th 2008 12:01AM]

apparently this guy is driving around chicago in the wrong direction.... why else would he be able to see the freeway signs in the rearview mirror?

[xcise @ Oct 9th 2008 12:26AM]

if it includes a magnifying glass for those 6 pixel text, i'm buying that...

[Spider Goodlegs @ Oct 9th 2008 2:46AM]

Needs a camera that can record pix and video on the SD card. You're welcome. Just mail my check.

[Bjsfreaked @ Oct 9th 2008 6:11AM]

Your driving home - look into your rear mirror only to see the BSOD!!!
or a dr watson problem

[Str1ker @ Oct 9th 2008 8:17AM]

So is the mirror an actual mirror, or is a screen that displays what's behind you?

Cause it can't be both...can it?

[Kris @ Oct 9th 2008 8:48AM]

Cool idea..
Hey, you know when you turn your rear-view mirror, right? You see a different angle on the things behind you.. Does this thing support that feature?

[farfisa @ Oct 9th 2008 8:57AM]

Does it work as a mirror?

[Whingnut @ Oct 9th 2008 9:13AM]

Hmmm... let's see. If it's easily removable, then thieves can walk through parking lots and know that you have an $800 dollar GPS/mirror stashed somewhere (glovebox?) in your car by the lack of mirror on your windshield. Or...if it's not easily removable it will be a nice advertisement for an easy smash and grab. At least in-dash units are a bit harder to make off with. Nice concept, but I don't think it'll be successful.

[ltzharley @ Oct 9th 2008 2:24PM]

I have one of these devices in my car and absolutely love it. But I enter all my information BEFORE i get on the road and it talks through your speakers. For all the distracted, when you have kids you find you take the extra time to make sure that the info is entered in before driving off....

[DoomGaZer @ Oct 9th 2008 3:17PM]

Ok, looks like Navigon 5100 software and no Home Link. Also no night time dimming, unless that feature just isn't mentioned. Yes the left side is a real mirror. For the web-surfing impaired:

http://www.azentekonline.com/cms/content/view/79/180/

and

http://www.azentek.com/SmartMirror_Users_Guide_Rev2.pdf

[Super Geeky @ Oct 11th 2008 3:10PM]

With the way people drive today, I would rather have a GPS on the rear view...
..........at least people might just look at it more often and see that I'm speeding down 90 going 90 and get the hell out of the left lane if you're going 50!!!

ugh...sorry 'bout that.

It's a neat idea but so is popcorn in the airbags...

[Kevin @ Oct 15th 2008 10:49AM]

great idea, it'd be a little bit less high profile compared to a windshield-mounted GPS from the front, and you can always just get tinted windows from the sides. when it's off, i wouldn't imagine it'd be that noticeable. for an S2000, this would be great because the stock mirror is ridiculously small, and the single-DIN headunit spot can only fit ONE HU-based nav system, which i've heard sucks quite a bit.

but, the price point is just way too high.