Sony displayed two aftermarket A/V car receivers at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that not only control your smartphone, but they can become your smartphone. The new XAV-601BT and XAV-701HD stereos feature large touch screens that can look and function just like your phone, allowing some or all of the functionality on a larger screen that is easier to access.

Toyota has announced that the same technology will be used in Europe on their tiny iQ microcar. But that unit will only work with Nokia phones that are far less popular in the United States. Sony’s MirrorLink solution will accommodate more popular phones. We saw Android, Windows Phone, and iPhones displayed at the show. Sony demonstrated how an iPhone running Telenav can allow the unit to function as a navigation system, with all the processing occurring on the iPhone.

The units will be available this summer for about $550 and $700. It is unclear how much functionality will be available on each smartphone platform, as systems still need to undergo testing and certification from the Car Connectivity Consortium that developed the MirrorLink technology.

For those who must interface with their car on the road, such technology provides a means to make the screen easier to read and interact with. Of course, this also encourages interaction that risks a dangerous distraction when driving. Remember that for safety, a smart driver is more important than a smartphone.

See our special section on distracted driving.