SilverCloud GPS Makes Debut
Tracking System Direct, a global distributor of GPS tracking systems, is recently launched the next generation in real-time tracking technology – the SilverCloud GPS.
Designed to be user-friendly enough for consumer tracking applications such as monitoring teen drivers, and sophisticated enough to meet the fleet management needs of both large and small businesses, the SilverCloud GPS revolutionizes the concept of “Real-time tracking”.
“The SilverCloud GPS allows anyone to easily utilize and acquire the benefits offered from real-time tracking technology,” said a Tracking System Direct representative. “With multiple cost-effective data plans to choose from, and an intuitive, user-friendly viewing platform, the SilverCloud GPS is the perfect balance between simple and sophisticated.”
The new SilverCloud GPS features unlimited location updates every five (5) minutes or ten (10) seconds, depending on the plan the user selects. SilverCloud data can be viewed over live via personal computer via web-based software application, offering easy access 24/7. The GPS tracking data includes route traveled, addresses arrived, time arrived, time departed, speeds driven, stops made and more. The real-time technology provides anyone with the ability to monitor mobile assets, employees operating company equipment or personal assets.
SilverCloud GPS tracking technology can help parents to observe teen driving behaviors, auto-owners safeguard motor vehicles and anyone access the unknown driving activity of another.
Tracking System Direct will offer the first five hundred (500) SilverCloud trackers with NO MONTHLY SERVICE FEES or activation fees to businesses and consumers as part of the promotional launch of the new real-time tracking system.
For additional information, please visit http://www.tracking-system.com/
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March 23rd, 2011
GPS with Lifetime Map Updates
This year TomTom has released quite a number of GP units that offer Lifetime Map Updates. It’s an excellent strategy as Lifetime map updates will help negate some of the advantages of mobile phone apps that boasts always having the latest maps. TomTom Lifetime Map Updates utilize Tele Atlas maps, which are continually updated to include improvements on 6.5 million miles of roads, millions of Points of Interest and map updates and speed profile data generated by the millions of drivers in the TomTom US user community.
Magellan has also get in on the act. As these are getting highly popular with consumers, we hope Garmin will follow soon.
Here are some of the best selling GPS models with Lifetime Map Updates:
- TomTom XXL 540TM 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator (Lifetime Traffic & Maps Edition)
- TomTom XL 340TM 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Lifetime Traffic & Maps Edition)
- TomTom XXL 540M 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator (Lifetime Maps Edition)
- TomTom XL 350TM 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Lifetime Traffic & Maps Edition)
- TomTom XL 340M 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Lifetime Maps Edition)
- Magellan RoadMate 1424-LM 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps
- Magellan RoadMate 3030-LM 4.7-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps
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November 29th, 2010
TomTom Ships New XXL Series PNDs
TomTom recently launched some new Portable Navigation Devices (PNDs) that build on the popularity of their large screens.
The extra wide 5″ screen of the new TomTom XXL 550T and the TomTom XXL 550TM makes reading the map displays a breeze. Both comes with TomTom’s new EasyMenu UI and preloaded US, Canada and Mexico maps, MapShare access, IQ Routes and lifetime traffic updates. The XXL 550TM also comes with lifetime map updates for $30 more. Other notable features includes Advanced Lane Guidance and over 7 million POIs. With TomTom’s exclusive Map Share On-Demand Updates, you have the ability to update your own map instantly or download verified updates from other drivers.
The XXL 550T retails for $229.95 and the XXL 550TM goes for $259.95. At these prices both these units offers great value for money.
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June 8th, 2010
The New Garmin nuvi 295W is Shipping
Garmin just released a brand new GPS device that looks more like a smartphone than a PND. The nuvi 295W is a very slim looking unit measuring just 0.6″ thick. Then you have the dual orientation 3.5″ glass touchscreen. It will fit nicely in your shirt pocket.
What’s new is that it is now not only a navigational device, you can also surf the net, send emails and take a picture with it! Check out the promo video below from Garmin:
Here’s another video on the additional features:
USA and Canada maps are included together with 6 million POIs. It also has the usual features like text to speech, cityXplorer maps, MP3 player, calculator, and more. However, it lacks lane assist, 3D reality view, real-time traffic information, and Bluetooth connectivity.
The new Garmin Nuvi 295W is already available for $279.99 from Garmin’s website and now on sale at Amazon.
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May 20th, 2010
Introducing Garmin nuvi 3700 Series GPS
Garmin has just announced an exciting new range of nuvi 3700 series GPS navigators. These gorgeous units has gone through rigorous engineering culminating in an award winning design that is destined to take the GPS industry by storm.
Watch this short video showcasing the engineering and design that went into the nuvi 3700 series GPS navigators…
These new Garmins are slim and look much like a phone, in fact you might mistake it for an iPhone! Like the iPhone you can use it vertically or horizontally and the screen will orientate accordingly. You can even use your fingers to tap, slide, or pinch the screen to get to the desired view. This is a really cool featured not seen before in any SatNav device. This is definitely an industry first.
They are all 4.3″ widescreen models. What’s new is that the screen is a capacitive multi-touch screen that is totally flat and measures just 8.95mm (0.35″) thick. That is just the thickness of a No.2 pencil.
Three models are announced and they come with many innovative features. Read about them in more detail here:
- Garmin nuvi 3750 – MSRP: $349.99
- Garmin nuvi 3760T – MSRP: $399.99
- Garmin nuvi 3790T – MSRP: $449.99
These units will be released sometime in August 2010.
Source: Garmin USA
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April 27th, 2010
Garmin’s Cute Holiday Commercials
Garmin’s 2009 commercials for this holiday season are pretty interesting. With some catchy tunes thrown in they are plenty of fun in these short ads. The commercials features the new connected Garmin nuvi 1690 with the Nutcracker character trying to find things to do on his night away from the store window display. After a long day manning his post at the store, this lovable character with a huge head and even bigger personality uses his nüvi to navigate nightlife. Check it out:
Garmin also has the multi-product TV commercial featuring a Knight heading out to slay a dragon. The ad displays the diversity in Garmin’s product line, tracking the adventures of a knight to remember, a multi-sport leprechaun, a camera-friendly Yeti, a swingin Scot and a squirrel. Enjoy…
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November 23rd, 2009
Traffic Enabled GPS Could Cut 4 days Off Your Annual Commute
Want to trim enough time off your commute to get back four days of your life every year? Well, that statistic is provided courtesy of GPS-data provider NAVTEQ, which says that drivers who use a GPS device that incorporates real-time traffic updates can shave immense amounts off their drive time every year. In the US, 4 days worth of driving per year; in the UK, a mere 2 1/2 days. Either way, that represents about an 18 percent reduction in the amount of time spent behind the wheel, a phenomenal savings.
There’s even a green angle: In both countries, NAVTEQ says drivers using traffic-ready GPS units can reduce their carbon emissions by about 20 percent.
The study was performed in Germany and included drivers with no GPS, with a standard GPS unit, and with a traffic-enabled GPS unit. Ultimately it found that the drivers using the traffic-enabled GPS were able to far more effectively route around backups. They traveled a shorter overall distance than drivers without a navigation system. The study also revealed that the drivers using traffic enabled GPS devices experienced dramatic time savings, spending 18% less time driving on an average trip versus drivers without navigation. If applied over the course of a year, a driver who does not currently use a navigation device would save themselves 4 days of driving each year if they had a traffic-enabled navigation system.
Assuming the figures are very rough estimates, it might make sense to think about upgrading your GPS to one that includes traffic reports. And in fact, GPS systems with traffic updates are commonplace now. A traffic-ready model like the Garmin nuvi 265WT can be had for a little less than $200. But remember that, for most GPS models, you have to pay extra for traffic updates to be delivered to the device after an initial trial period. In the case of the Garmin mentioned, a 3-month subscription to MSN Direct is included with the GPS receiver. After that, subscription fees are $49.95 per year, or $129.95 for a lifetime subscription.
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October 16th, 2009
Garmin’s New nuvi 1690 Will Be Shipping Soon
Garmin has just made the Nuvi 1690 official, clearing up the speculation around its newest generation portable navigation device that comes with a host of new features. It is equipped with a built-in wireless module that enables customers to access Garmin’s nüLink! service which will offer direct links to selected online information including Google local search, traffic, weather, fuel prices, movie listings, flight status, local events, white page telephone listings and Ciao!. Social-network users will be able to take advantage of Garmin’s new Ciao position-aware social network that reports your location to the exisiting GyPsii and uLocate services and allows you to find and navigate to your friends.
All US-version of the nuvi 1690 will be equipped with 2 years’ free use of Garmin’s nüLink! service.
Slated to launch on 4th quarter of 2009 at a suggested retail price of $499.99, the new Garmin nuvi 1690 will pack a 4.3-inch WVGA display, North American maps, text-to-speech and also Bluetooth handsfree support.
Read the full Garmin nuvi 1690 review here.
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September 29th, 2009
June is Garmin’s Map Update Month
June is declared as Garmin’s map update month. As you know there are always changes in routes and maps. Garmin is offering 3 map update options so you can get the latest map information on your Garmin device, ie nüMaps Guarantee, nüMaps Lifetime and nüMaps Onetime. If you have a newer nüvi or zumo, you may be eligible for a free map update. Visit the nüMaps Guarantee section to check on eligibility.
With nüMaps Onetime, you’ll get the most up-to-date map data on your Garmin GPS. This one-time purchase replaces outdated content with the most up-to-date roads, routes and points of interest like restaurants, hotels, banks, gas stations and more.
nüMaps Lifetime is a one-time, single purchase that lets you download the most up-to-date map information on streets, highways and points of interest as soon as new content is available for the lifetime of your Garmin device.
According to a study done by Navteq (Garmin’s map provider), drivers want to be reminded when to update their maps. 73% of drivers in the US said they want to receive reminders to update the maps in their systems. If you’re one of those who want to be reminded about map updates, myGarmin.com tells you when quarterly map updates can be downloaded. If you want to see if your GPS has the latest and greatest map data, just connect your device to the computer and then we’ll show you what you may have been missing.
Important notice (June 23rd, 2009):
Please be aware that a recent firmware update by Garmin is causing nuvi 7×5 series units to fail. Garmin is aware of the issue and is working to fix it.Statement from Garmin: It has come to our attention that the Garmin nüvi 7×5 series has a firmware error that is causing some devices to perform an unprompted GPS software update and in some cases shut down. Garmin is aware of this issue and we are working diligently on a solution. We know our customers rely upon their GPS devices and we apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. Developing quality products always has been and continues to be a priority at Garmin. For regular updates about this issue, please visit http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/support.
Update from Garmin: Important Product Information on Devices Purchased Before July 7, 2009
Garmin has released a free, mandatory GPS software update to correct a software issue that has been discovered to cause the this nüvi GPS device to repeatedly attempt to update GPS firmware, and then either shut down or no longer acquire GPS satellite signals. This firmware update may be downloaded using Garmin’s WebUpdater program. Customers who are no longer able to power on their GPS device will need to visit Garmin’s support site, and select the first FAQ titled “My nüvi 755T, 765T, 775T or 785T is giving me the message ‘Updating GPS Firmware’ or will no longer power on…” Customers will then need to follow the instructions to request a return authorization so that the device may be repaired under warranty. **NOTE: This software issue affects only those devices purchased before July 7, 2009.
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June 14th, 2009
Garmin Announced Release of New Garmin nuvi 1490T
Garmin just announced release of a new 5 inch widescreen GPS unit – the Garmin nuvi 1490T. It comes hot on the heels of the recently unveiled 1200 and 1300 series. With a suggested list price of $499.99, this GPS navigator definitely belongs among the high-end models. Garmin says that it will come with lifetime traffic alerts, lane assist / junction view and Bluetooth.
It also has something not found on the 1200 and 1300 models – Multi-Destination routing.
The nuvi 1490T will also be 25% thinner than most current generation nuvis and offer pedestrian-friendly features and the ability to use optional CityXplorer™ maps.
This unit is expected to be available in July of 2009.
Source: Garmin USA