SonyStyle’s newest portable navigation device, the NV-U71T, is quite a GPS. It comes with many pre-loaded maps and over seven million points of interest (gas stations, parks, and other attractions) in the United States, Canada, and even Puerto Rico. You won’t have any trouble getting lost on the road again, as it provides excellent directions from “here to there”. The convenient positioning technology allows your last direction to be repeated with the touch of a button.

One of its most prominent features is the “Gesture Command”, which I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. The gesture command function allows you to access quick commands with a simple hand gesture on the 3.5 inch touch-sensitive screen. For example, a simple tracing of a “V” sign with your fingers will give you the quickest way home. I suppose that’s easy to remember since you’re tracing a teepee or roof, therefore this gesture means “home”.

Pretty soon, they’ll make it so the GPS can recognize your hand gestures without touching the screen at all. I wonder how it will interpret a gesture you would make to someone who cuts you off. I’m thinking probably “Get Lost”.

Okay, I’m getting off the subject, and better talk about the other features. One that you can purchase separately is the RDS-TMC Real Time Traffic Information, which allows the NV-U71T to constantly monitor traffic conditions, and navigate you around trouble spots. This feature is available for a free, 90-day trial after purchase.

The NV-U71T is designed to be light and compact, with dimensions of 4 x 3 inches and a weight of only 9.9 ounces. The Super Suction-Cup Mount allows it to affix securely to any surface, including a dashboard or windshield.

The SonyStyle NV-U71T is available now on the SonyStyle site for a price of $499.95. It comes with lots of accessories, including a Car Cradle, the XA-DC2 Car Battery Adaptor, XA_AC13 AC Adaptor, USB Cable, TMC Antenna, and DVD-ROM Application disc.