Garmin | On the Road

Scenes from CES

Garmin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:37:15 -0600

We're here at CES and the Garmin booth has been packed. Customers are really excited about the all-new Smartphone Link, an app that creates a seamless navigation experience between any Bluetooth enabled 2012 Garmin nüvi and an Android smartphone allowing you to communicate and share data between the two devices. Now you can get real-time traffic information, traffic camera images, live weather information and fuel prices right to your PND. To learn more about Smartphone Link, visit the mini site, or stop by the Garmin booth at CES (South Hall #35812).

Also on display at CES is the new Approach G6 and the 5-inch nüvi 3500 series with an all-glass touchscreen display, ultra-thin design and all of the premium features you could ever want in a PND. But if you don't have a front-row seat to CES, don't worry, just keep checking back to the Garmin blog for more updates from the show!

Garmin Smartphone Link for Android Provides Connected Services to nüvi Personal Navigation Devices

Garmin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:00:00 -0600

Keeping you connected and on the right track is what today's announcement of the launch of Smartphone Link, the first Android app to provide live services to personal navigation devices (PNDs) is all about. Smartphone Link creates a seamless navigation experience between any Bluetooth^® enabled 2012 Garmin nüvi and an Android^TM smartphone allowing them to communicate and share data. Among other functionalities, the app lets nüvi users add live services, such as traffic information, traffic camera images, weather and fuel prices to their navigation device, utilizing the smartphone's mobile data plan. Garmin Smartphone Link is available at no cost in the Android Market and includes several free live services as well as premium content available through subscriptions.

“Garmin Smartphone Link solves the problem of having to pay for an extra data plan to use live services on a PND by utilizing the existing connection of a smartphone,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “It is a great example of how smartphone apps can complement navigation devices, which offer key benefits such as bigger screens and better GPS reception.”

Free connected services include live weather information and myGarmin™ messaging, which provides update notifications and special offers from Garmin. Premium Live Services include the following:

Live Traffic ($19.99 per year): Garmin Live Traffic provides the best-in-class real-time information to help users navigate in and around congestion. Live Traffic is updated every two minutes and receives more than 1,000 messages every update cycle, including details of traffic incidents, road conditions and delays. It covers major highways, interstates and main roads.

photoLive traffic cameras ($9.99 per year): This functionality is an addition to Garmin’s Live Traffic feature and provides drivers the ability to literally see traffic conditions ahead of time. It lets users easily look up real-time photos from traffic cameras to get a glance at traffic and weather conditions. Included are more than 10,000 traffic cameras across the U.S. and Canada that send images every couple of minutes.

Fuel Prices ($9.99 per year): Users can find the best prices for any grade of fuel in their area by tapping the screen and selecting a station.

Advanced Weather ($4.99 per year): Get current and 5-day forecasts tailored for major cities in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to what the free weather service provides, Advanced Weather also allows users to receive severe weather alerts and view animated radar images on a map. Colors distinguish types of precipitation such as rain, snow and ice, to help you avoid bad driving conditions.

In addition to using Garmin Live Services, Smartphone Link allows the Garmin GPS to share its favorite locations with the phone. And better yet, the app can help users find their way from a parking spot to their destination and back by displaying both on a map.

Garmin Smartphone Link works with all Bluetooth enabled 2012 Garmin PNDs, the nüvi 2475LT, 2495LMT, 2595LMT, 3490LMT and the all-new 3590LMT, the company’s most feature-packed 5” navigator. All of these models require a software update, except the nüvi 3590LMT. Garmin Smartphone Link is available from the Android Market at no cost. To learn more, go to http://sites.garmin.com/smartphonelink.

Check out a video of Smartphone Link in action here:

Garmin Debuts New Top Tier GPS Navigator at CES

Garmin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:00:00 -0600

BIG screen. BIG feautures. BIG options -- today we announced the nüvi 3500 series, our newest flagship personal navigation devices (PNDs) and our first GPS navigators that combine the ultra-thin form factor with a large, 5-inch glass display. The 3500 series is part of the Prestige line of 2012 nüvis and includes the most premium features available on any device such as the Guidance 3.0 navigation engine, Digital 3D Traffic and compatibility with Garmin’s newest Android™ application, Smartphone Link. The nüvi 3500 series will be showcased in the Garmin booth (South Hall #35812) at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.

“The nüvi 3500 series rounds out Garmin’s 2012 line up of PNDs as the most full-featured, top tier navigators,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “This series offers it all, from the thin and stylish form factor and large display to the most premium capabilities like Digital 3D Traffic and Smartphone Link compatibility. What’s more, all of these features are included with the purchase of the device, so customers don’t have to worry about any additional costs, fees or subscriptions.”

As part of the Prestige line of nüvi models, these PNDs feature the Guidance 3.0 navigation engine, which provides a faster, more intuitive user interface to enhance the speed and accuracy of searches and routing. Lane assist with photoReal junction view realistically displays road signs and junctions along the route with photographic detail to clearly mark the correct lane to be in for interchanges and exits. Garmin’s exclusive junction view database includes nearly 60,000 junction views in the U.S. and Canada, 25 times more than in previous nüvi models. Guidance 3.0 also includes myTrends™, the ability for the nüvi to automatically remember frequent favorite route destinations and predict the destination without the user needing to activate a route.

To keep drivers moving instead of sitting in traffic wasting time and fuel, the nuvi 3590LMT offers subscription-free Digital 3D Traffic, which uses information from the HD Radio™ Broadcasting System to provide faster updates and more detailed coverage of side streets and other secondary roads in major cities. With Digital 3D traffic (available in the U.S. only) users will receive traffic updates as often as every 30 seconds, up to 10 times faster than traditional traffic receivers, giving drivers the most real-time depiction of the traffic situation along the route. As part of the world’s most extensive traffic avoidance system, Digital 3D Traffic checks traffic conditions 2 billion times per month using a multidimensional feed of real-time traffic data from quality sources including other Garmin nüvi owners, cellphone users, radio feeds, news stations, historical traffic data and fixed traffic sensors on major roads. With trafficTrends™, the nüvi automatically learns patterns for traffic flow and predicts where traffic will be.

The n üvi 3590LMT is also compatible with Garmin Smartphone Link, an Android app that provides live services to the PND. Smartphone Link creates a seamless navigation experience between the nüvi and an Android smartphone allowing them to communicate and share data. Among other functionalities, the app lets nüvi users add live services such as traffic information, traffic camera images, weather and fuel prices to their navigation device, utilizing the smartphone's mobile data plan.

The nüvi 3500 series includes the 3550LM with free lifetime map[1] updates ($369.99) and the Bluetooth enabled nüvi 3590LMT with free lifetime digital 3D traffic updates[2] from the HD Radio System, voice-activated navigation, free lifetime map updates, and Smartphone Link support ($399.99).

The new nüvi 3500 series is expected to be available in February 2012. For more information about individual models, features and pricing, visit http://www.garmin.com/move.

The nüvi 3500 series is the latest solution from Garmin’s consumer automotive segment, the leading worldwide provider of portable navigation devices for automobiles and motorcycles. From turn-by-turn navigation and fast and accurate search capability to traffic avoidance and lane guidance, Garmin’s user-friendly PND solutions have innovative features that provide time- and fuel-saving benefits to meet the demands of everyday driving.

[1]FREE lifetime map updates entitle you to receive up to four map data updates per year, when and as such updates are made available on the Garmin website, for this specific Garmin product only until this product’s useful life expires or Garmin no longer receives map data from its third party supplier, whichever is shorter.

[2] FREE lifetime traffic updates may not be transferred to another person or another Garmin product. Lifetime traffic extends for the useful life of your Garmin traffic receiver (as long as you own a compatible Garmin GPS) or as long as Garmin receives traffic data from its traffic supplier, whichever is shorter. Traffic content not available for all areas. See traffic coverage areas and Program License Agreement for complete terms and conditions.

A New Year, A New You and All New Updates to the Endurance Athlete Friendly GTU 10 Tracker!

Garmin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:18:34 -0600

Another amazing year is behind us and with that comes new challenges and adventures. We are just a few short months away from the spring marathon season and the sign ups for local 5k and 10k's and the cycling season. What better way to give your family peace of mind when you are out training and hitting the pavement than bringing a GTU 10 Tracker with you.

Weighing in at well under 2 ounces, the GTU 10 is a GPS locator that combines a web-based tracking
service with GPS technology so you can keep watch on children, pets and property. You can even track your GTU 10 from our secure website using any computer or with the free Garmin Tracker™ app and send invitations to friends and family so they can track your progress too!

The next time you use the Garmin Tracker online or on your smartphone, you’ll notice we’ve made a few pretty cool enhancements to make it easier to track what you love.

Some of those enhancements include the ability for you to create a shared page where you can allow friends and family to temporarily track you. This is especially useful when you want to let friends follow your location during a race and they are not able to make it to the event. Or better yet, when your family wants to know where you are on the marathon course - so they can get ahead and cheer you on. This Continuous Tracking* feature reports your device’s location automatically every 15 seconds for up to 5 hours.


Attach your GTU 10 to what you want to track.	Your GTU 10 enters or exits a geofence that you set up.	We notify you with an email or text message.	You can also locate your GTU 10 on your computer or mobile device.

You can also activate the Check-ins* feature - where the tracker sends your device’s location via email or text message on the days and times you specify. If you are wanting to look back at your event history, all of the GTU's now offer access to the previous 24-hour tracklog as opposed to just the 10 last tracklog points.

We have even added support for poor acquisition while in situations where GPS signal is weak or not present. The tracker now uses cell tower triangulation to provide approximate location of the tracker.

Have you ever wanted to keep an eye on the family car when you are out of town? Well, here's your chance. Simply connect the GTU 10 to a power source in your vehicle and take advantage of the Speed Alert feature*. This feature will send you an alert to your mobile phone or email when a user-selected speed is exceeded. If the device loses its power or connection to the car it will automatically let you know that too!

If you already own a tracker, simply update the software for your GTU 10 to use the new and improved features. And, if you use the Garmin Tracker app on your smartphone, get the latest version of the app.

In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Priceless Pets, the New York City based pet walking experts, were featured using the GTU tracker on their four-legged clients. Check out the video below to find out more about how they use this exciting new technology!

*Deluxe Trackingservice plan is required for these features. Deluxe Tracking is available for purchase at www.garmin.com.

nüvi survives luggage rack ride, found in time for the holidays

Garmin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:43:00 -0600

You've heard us say before that when we're developing products we put them through extreme test conditions. We drop 'em, dunk 'em, freeze 'em, and heat 'em, and that's just a few of the tests engineering puts products through. We're proud that our devices are rugged and can stand up to the challenges our customers give them - even accidental challenges. So as we begin a new year, we reflect back on all the amazing stories that have been sent to us, and bring you another great testimonial sent to the Garmin inbox from Seth D., who's nüvi was lost, survived some brutal weather, and was found again just in time for the holidays:

I bought a nüvi for my wife as a Mother's Day gift a few years ago. It has worked great and we have been very happy with it. Since my two children have started to drive, we occasionally let them borrow it. My 19-year-old son borrowed it for a road trip one weekend in early September of this year. When my wife went to use it and could not find it, my son swore up and down that he had put it back in her car. Since there had been a rash of car break-ins recently in our neighborhood, we thought that it had been stolen.

Jump ahead to late October when I was cleaning my own car and tossed one of the floor mats onto my son's Jeep's luggage rack and spotted what looked like a wire. There wedged in the corner of his luggage rack was the GPS, cord, holder and all. I couldn't believe it. He had put it there and forgot about it. It had been up there for weeks while we drove it around. But that's not the good part. While it was stuck in the rack (a miracle in itself that it did not fly out) we had experienced a period of torrential downpours and a hurricane. I yelled to wife excitedly and she came running out thinking something was wrong. I turned her body and head to see the GPS lodged in the rack. We looked at each other thinking the same thing...would it work? It was obvious that some water had seeped into the screen. Not attempting to dry it out, we plugged it in and it fired right up. We started using it again and the water eventually dried up. To our amazement, it's still working.There is no question as to what brand we will buy when it comes time for a new one. We are currently considering giving this one to our son and getting a new one for our mom and dad. Thanks for making such a durable product that's worth every penny!

Cookie Monster's crumbs christen redesigned Garmin Garage

Garmin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:05:14 -0600

Not sure why we didn't see this coming, but on the day of our holiday potluck - when we're surrounded by colorful cookies of all shape and flavor - we welcomed a new friend to the Garmin Garage. Joining his Sesame Street neighbors Bert and Ernie, the always lovable (unless you have to bake for - or clean up after - him) Cookie Monster is now among the fun and familiar downloadable voices for compatible Garmin devices. Better yet, he brought his van - the Cookie cruiser - to haul around his friends (and their treats).

Apparently our mechanics in the Garmin Garage have been as busy as Santa's elves, because they've given the place an overhaul to make the various voices and vehicles easier than ever to find and download. And speaking of makeovers, you can now further customize the display of your nuvi with our brand new dashboards. Currently, you can choose between Star Wars themes or your favorite Nickelodeon friends, Spongebob and Dora, to coordinate the look of your nuvi screen with the sounds of the voices guiding you.

With all of the holiday travel going on this week and next, we hope that our new voices, vehicles and dashboards can make every mile a little more memorable. Spend some time snooping around the Garage, and reinvigorate your road trip! Safe travels, and happy holidays to all!

Just in the nick of time: update your maps before holiday travel

Garmin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:30:24 -0600

‘Twas the night before Christmas and Santa was set, to travel the world and not break a sweat.
Into his bag all the toys were tossed, he started his journey with no fear of getting lost.
With his trusty nüvi as his guide, he began his annual sleigh ride.
See this year Santa did not have to worry, as he was able to update his maps in a hurry.
For nüMaps Lifetime had saved the day, to Timmy and Tommy’s he was now on his way.
He took the first left, then made the next right, and delivered their presents all while they slept tight.
When morning came their hearts filled with glee, “A Garmin Montana for you, and an Approach for me!”
With the reliability of his updated map, Santa made it home just in time for his nap.
Having nüvi at his side they make a very good team, and of next year’s “Naughty” and “Nice” lists he was left to dream.

Travelling this holiday season? Do what Santa did and make sure your maps are up to date. Not only will you avoid getting lost, but it can save you time and headaches too!

Chicago Store: Give a Garmin, get FREE shipping, and vote for our windows!

Garmin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:21:40 -0600

Last month the Chicago Store offered free ground shipping on orders of $100 or more and debuted our new festive windows to kick off the holiday season. And the fun continues into this month! Just mention my-Garmin-Ground when you call and you’ll receive free ground shipping to the lower 48 states for orders of $100 or more through December 16, 2011.

Someone you know needs a Garmin and all you have to do is call (312) 787-3221 and talk to one of our product experts. We’ll answer your questions and help you find the perfect gift for the special driver, runner, biker, hiker, golfer, mariner or pilot in your life. Maybe a Forerunner 610, a voice-activated nuvi 3490LMT with free lifetime maps and traffic, or the Approach S1 - now available in white!

You’ll love the convenience of shopping over the phone, which will also give you some extra time to vote for Garmin in the Magnificent Mile Window Contest. It’s no secret that everyone on Chicago’s Mag Mile wants to have the best holiday windows, and that’s why we need your help in voting! It’s simple, just visit the site and vote for your favorite. With your help, we’re sure to take home the People’s Choice Award! Voting ends on December 15, so if you love our windows as much as we do, there’s plenty of time to encourage friends and family to vote, too.

Chicago Store: Meet Johnny Knox and find out how to score a Garmin

Garmin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:21:53 -0600

How about getting your Garmin gifts paid for this year? Yes, it’s true! If Jeff Joniak, Chicago play-by-play announcer, predicts the final score of the New Year’s Day game, then all “On the Road” and “Into Sports” units purchased at the Garmin Chicago Store from November 25 through December 24 will be free! All you have to do is find the perfect gift, shop at the Garmin Chicago Store and tune in to see if Jeff Joniak correctly predicts the score on New Year’s Day.

To kick things off, wide receiver, Johnny Knox, will make an appearance on Tuesday, November 29 from 5-7 p.m. So stop by 663 N Michigan Avenue and find out more about how you can Score a Garmin this holiday season. At the Garmin store, you’ll find more than just football players; you’ll get a hands-on experience with the latest and greatest GPS devices perfect for runners, drivers, bikers, golfers, mariners and pilots.

If you can’t make it down to Michigan Avenue, then give us a call at (312) 787-3221 - we have product experts ready to answer your questions and take your order over the phone. Click here for full details.

Updated Garmin StreetPilot Onboard App Helps Drivers to Avoid Thanksgiving Gridlock with Real-Time Traffic Photos

Garmin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 07:42:00 -0600

Thanksgiving, the biggest travel day of the year, is right around the corner and obviously traffic is a big concern when planning holiday travel. Garmin just made it easier for you to avoid gridlock with a new feature for its StreetPilot Onboard navigation app for iPhone that shows real-time photos from traffic cameras. This functionality can help holiday travelers get to their destination faster by giving them the ability to literally see traffic conditions ahead of time.

The photoLive Traffic Cameras feature is part of a major update for the StreetPilot app that also includes live weather information, the option to share points of interest via Facebook and SMS as well as many other improvements to the UI and navigation experience. The update is available as a free download to current app users and the photoLive Traffic Cameras feature is an in app purchase for $9.99 per year. On Black Friday, Garmin will reduce the price of the StreetPilot app by 50 percent. For one day only, the USA app will be available for $24.99 instead of $49.99 and the North America version will be $29.99 instead of $59.99.

“photoLive Traffic Cameras is an addition to Garmin’s existing real-time traffic feature, which guides drivers around congestion. But just as in other life situations, it’s sometimes best to see things with your own eyes rather than relying solely on data,” said Gerhard Mayr, Garmin vice-president ofworldwide mobile phone business. “The new photoLive feature lets you easily look up real-time photos from traffic cameras across the U.S. and Canada to get a glance at traffic and weather conditions.”

photoLive Traffic Cameras can easily be accessed through the StreetPilot app’s traffic menu. Users simply select the road they’d like to look at and the feature displays real-time photos from that location. Included are over 10,000 traffic cameras across the U.S. and Canada that send images every couple of minutes to make sure users get the most current view. Users can also save their favorite cameras for quick one-touch access.

Additional Features included in the StreetPilot App Update:

Live Weather: View live weather conditions and five-day forecasts for your current location or for your
destination.

Points of Interest Sharing: Let friends and family know where you are or when you’re arriving at a point of interest such as a restaurant or attraction. With the touch of a button, you can share a location via Facebook or SMS and even include a personal message.

InstaSearch: The new InstaSearch function allows users to accelerate searches. It automatically provides suggestions as you enter text to search for POIs, cities or addresses, making it easier to find what you’re looking for.

POI and Speed Limit Editor: Users can now delete or edit points of interest and add photos of a location. The changes can be uploaded to Garmin for database inclusion in future updates. Users can also update speed limits along a road segment.

Garmin StreetPilot Onboard puts the vast preloaded database and intuitive interface of a Garmin nüvi into the iPhone you use everyday – without tapping into your data plan. With ultra-fast map drawing, panning and zooming, the preloaded maps and Points of Interest offer peace of mind in knowing that wireless coverage and data plan usage are not required to access maps or calculate routes. So just as with a nüvi, the maps and directions are always there when you need them most – especially when you can’t get cell or Wi-Fi signals or your data plan is running low.

With advanced navigation features such as lane guidance, junction view, 3D buildings, trip planner, trip computer, Garmin’s “Where Am I?” safety feature, and red-light and speed camera information, Garmin StreetPilot Onboard provides crucial information that a driver needs for daily errands, weekend road trips or family vacations.

All Garmin StreetPilot apps are available from the App Store. Find details about each version – as well as Garmin’s other apps for a wide variety of activities – at http://garmin.com/apps.