SONY has announced the launch of the industry’s first micro system which offers sound and instant playback taken directly from your portable audio player, mobile phone or personal computer at a click of a button. As the first micro system to feature Bluetooth technology, the Sony CMT-U1BT wirelessly receives music from the other Bluetooth-enabled devices in your home to offer no-fuss access to your catalogue of favourite artists and music.

The inclusion of wireless connectivity is thanks to the latest version of Bluetooth known as “A2DP” (Which stands for Advanced Audio Distribution Profile). Put simply, it allows Bluetooth to wirelessly stream music in high quality stereo rather than just transmitting hands free voice or data files. It means that music from your other devices can be played on the HiFi seamlessly on demand whenever and you are at home.

Of course not all phones and PCs (even those with Bluetooth) feature the A2DP Stereo Bluetooth. Sony is offering a free two way A2DP Bluetooth “Dongle” which plugs into virtually any device such as a PC, phone, portable CD or surround sound system, enabling you to upgrade your other equipment to send music backwards and forwards.

There is no need to download new software either, the system is compatible with all commonly used file types and music management software such as SonicStage, CONNECT player, iTunes, Windows Media player or Disc2Phone. Whatever the music application you are using, just press ‘play’ and the system will pick up the music and relay it. 

Of course the CMTU1BT stacks up as a hi-fi in it’s own right, offering 2x 25 watts of RMS output from Sony’s outstanding all-digital S-Master amplifier. It’s equipped with a vertical slot loading CD mechanism which will also playback MP3 or Atrac files from CDR/RW discs. There’s an AM/FM radio and a full remote control facility.