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
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April 18th, 2009
Navigon Announces New 7300T
NAVIGON, the leading innovator in the navigation market, announced the next generation of NAVIGON’s 7000-series platform, the NAVIGON 7300T. The ultra-stylish personal navigation device (PND) showcases an array of innovative features, including a new level of 3D visualization showing surrounding landscapes and important landmarks, Free Real-Time Spoken Traffic Updates and next-generation Voice Control, helping the user to control the device hands-free by speaking a wide variety of commands.
For the first time, NAVIGON combines its highly praised Panorama View 3D and Landmark View 3D features in one device, the NAVIGON 7300T. This gives the user a real 3D experience showing surrounding landscapes as well as important landmarks. Panorama View 3D brings a true 3D experience to the NAVIGON 7300T’s map using NASA terrain height data to provide geographic guidance complete with rolling hills and digital elevations. Landmark View 3D shows hundreds of richly-textured 3D landmarks across the U.S. and Canada such as the Empire State Building and the White House, as well as sports stadiums from coast to coast.
As an industry-first, the NAVIGON 7300T includes the new intelligent NAVIGON MyRoutes™ feature, taking individualized navigation to a new level and introducing a unique way of intelligent and personal route planning. The feature provides up to three route choices with distance and ETA calculated for all entered destinations, factoring in speed limits, construction and traffic as you’re driving. All routes are clearly displayed on a map with ETA and driving time giving the driver a choice. The system continuously saves the driver’s individual driving data in order to provide the best individual route possible and recommends a route based on the user’s driving habits, the day of week and time of travel.
NAVIGON takes its pioneering tradition in real-time traffic a step further by making it even easier to recognize issues ahead and route around traffic. The new NAVIGON 7300T now speaks traffic updates in addition to presenting them on the display. It also displays an alternative route around traffic on a map including the up-to-date ETA and distance. NAVIGON offers spoken real-time traffic updates for free for the life of the device. No subscriptions or additional hardware needed. Covering 95 markets across the U.S. and Canada, the NAVIGON 7300T will audibly alert you of traffic troubles and provide alternate routes.
Source : Navigon USA
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April 8th, 2009
Garmin Introduces nuvi 465T for Trucks
Garmin has finally responded to the demand, and released the trucking industry focused nuvi 465T.
This nuvi features exlusively points of interest and location information from NTTS (National Truck & Trailer Service) Breakdown, in addition to lane assist, subscription-free traffic, speed limit indicators, Bluetooth and text to speech. At present, drivers carry around a phonebook-like directory with this NTTS Breakdown information – the latest nuvi now provides driver’s that information with just a tap of the screen.
The pre-loaded NTTS database includes long-haul focused POIs, such as truck repair, towing and recovery, tire sales and repair, glass repair, fuels stops and more.
The nuvi 465T includes free lifetime traffic service (no word yet if it will be ad-supported, as the current 2×5T and 7×5T models are), and will also display warning information of upcoming road conditions to help aid driver awareness of possible truck hazards along the route such as sharp curves, steep grades, road narrows and more.
“High resolution 4.3-inch display that is easily read from the driver’s seat of a long-haul vehicle.” is what the 465t will feature as stated by the Garmin’s press release. That’s the same size as Garmin’s current wide-screen GPS devices, so it’s unclear if this will be a higher resolution LCD or not.
Suggested retail price is $499. Available in the second quarter of 2009.
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March 28th, 2009
“Carminat” by TomTom
In a partnership with Renault, TomTom has announced that it is going to bring high quality OEM navigation to car buyers in a form of embedded navigation solution called the “Carminat“.
The 5.8 inch in-car GPS device will have the ability to easily upgrade their maps, POI and information available through an easy download. The fact that car owners will become a part of the millions who use TomTom, and get full support and update capability is a big plus. It will also have a built-in RDS-TMC traffic receiver.
“TomTom sees automotive as major growth area in the navigation space,” said Harold Goddijn, TomTom’s CEO. “Given that Renault, one of the top five automotive brands, chose us to work with and the fact that we have brought the Carminat TomTom solution to market in record time gives us confidence in our role as a serious player in this market.”
It will be available from spring across Western Europe, initially launching in the new Renault Clio, but will soon be in the new Renault Megane and Scenic.
Here’s more information from TomTom.
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March 10th, 2009
Garmin Unveils New nuvi 1200 & nuvi 1300 Series
Garmin unveiled two new Nuvi product lines at the massive CeBIT 2009 trade show in Hannover, Germany.
The Garmin nuvi 1200 (3.5″ touchscreen) and nuvi 1300 series (4.3″ widescreen) GPS devices are 25% slimmer than previous Nuvi products and designed for walking as much as driving. They are designed to fit in a purse or pocket.
The four new nuvi 1200 GPS navigators are reported to start at $200 and include top-of-the-line features features like text-to-speech, free lifetime traffic and lane assist. All the 1200 and 1300 models also feature a new “Enhanced Pedestrian Mode”, and something called “Public Transit Mode”. Read on for all the details and pricing information.
The retail price of the nuvi 1300 navigators starts at $250. All 8 new models are expected to be available in the second half of 2009.
More on the Garmin nuvi 1250, Garmin nuvi 1300 and Garmin nuvi 1350.