LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4 -- (CES Booth #14200) Offering drivers an easier way to get from point A to point B, Sony Electronics today unveiled its eagerly anticipated portable navigation system, under the nav-u(TM) brand.

The compact, elegantly designed device helps drivers map a destination, re-route around annoying traffic jams, locate points of interest and then route them home again.

It has a brilliant, full color, 3.5-inch touch-screen display so drivers can see the screen in all lighting conditions. An intuitive, touch-screen control enables easy route planning and destination programming. A resident two-way speaker system ensures that voice prompts are clear and audible.

"The portable navigation industry is expected to grow more than 100 percent in 2006, according to NPD data," said Allan Jason, vice president for mobile electronics and portable audio products at Sony Electronics. "We've leveraged our audio and video expertise to make the nav-u system a feature- rich and easy to use device for a better customer experience."

At the core of the NV-U70 is Sony's 12-channel GPS receiver with proprietary RF technology and a built-in antenna, allowing the unit to receive a satellite signal within seconds after it is turned on. Ready for use right out of the box, it has 1GB of imbedded flash memory preloaded with maps of the continental U.S. along with more than 1.6 million points of interest. A DVD- ROM with full maps of Alaska, Canada, Hawaii and Puerto Rico is also included. Updates to the mapping database are made by connecting the device to a PC's USB port.

With just two taps on the touch screen, users can access several programming features. The "home" feature recognizes the unit's location and maps the quickest route to the programmed home address. The "block road" reroute feature allows drivers to change their course and keep driving in the case of a closed road or traffic congestion.

The screen has both day and night modes regulated by a light sensor that measures ambient light and gradually transitions between modes.

Easily held in the palm of a hand, the nav-u system can be transferred between vehicles. The device is cradled in a universal lightweight bracket that can be easily mounted on the windshield or dashboard of virtually any vehicle. Its imbedded rechargeable lithium-ion battery allows up to four hours of operation outside of the car.

The NV-U70 nav-u model will be available in mid-February for about $700 online at www.sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail) and at authorized Sony dealers nationwide. Accessories include a second vehicle kit with an additional mounting bracket and car charger for about $80, and an external GPS antenna for about $100. Sony will also offer a travel case for nav-u for about $30.