GPS,
nuvi GPS with EDGE data makes its FCC debut
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Aug 3rd 2009 11:34AM
posted Aug 3rd 2009 11:34AM
Sure, you're still waiting for your Nüvifone, but in the meantime it looks like the kids at Garmin have taken all that hard-won knowledge and applied it to their latest PND. The nüvi 1690, which recently popped up at the FCC, features GSM, GPRS, and EDGE connectivity. The unit won't support voice calls, although with Bluetooth you should be able to use it as a hands-free unit for your current cellphone. Garmin has thus far been mum on this guy, but as GPS Tracklog points out, the IFA show in Berlin is just around the corner -- certainly the company will have something to say about all this by then. To check out the FCC bit for yourself, hit that read link. [Warning: PDF.]
[Via SlashGear]
[Via SlashGear]
At this point, when SiRF's SiRFStarIV chipset is right around the corner, any purchase of a PND based on SiRFStarIII (which I assume it is) will be a rather unwise investment.
Actually my Garmin 60CSX and my old Nuvi 350, with SiRf III's would maintain a lock in tunnels, under trees, etc pretty damn well. So I wouldnt call units equipped with the SiRfStar III's an unwise purchase.
I wonder how this will play with MSN direct which currently uses FM transmissions to pull data into the device. Will they be reapplying those features in a new transmission method?
I would believe that the EDGE data would be put in use for the traffic update system Garmin has with Navteq, similar to the Nuvi 255wt, free traffic updates for life, unlike MSN data where you need to pay a subscription.
Wonder if Garmin is making use of T-Mobile's "embedded SIM card technology" for the GSM network capabilities....
wow EDGE data....whew burning up the airwaves!
I'd love to have a GPS with phone antenna just so it can use assisted GPS to get a lock in 5 seconds instead of 80.
This sounds like what SiRFStarIV does, so maybe this uses it.