Garmin's connected nuvi 1690 and browser / camera-equipped nuvi 1860 leak out
By Darren Murph 
posted Aug 18th 2009 10:54AM
posted Aug 18th 2009 10:54AM
If you're looking for even bigger and better things, there's the nüvi 1800 family. The nüvi 1820 checks in with a 4.8-inch WVGA panel, a Linux-based OS, Bluetooth handsfree support, WiFi, lane assist, a traffic receiver, text-to-speech and a few features not found on your common PND. We're talking about a full-fledged web browser (with YouTube support), multimedia player, access to email, internet radio streaming and even video streaming. Of course, you'll have to provide the web access, but if you've got a MiFi or the like riding shotgun in your ride, you can keep this bad boy connected throughout the trip. Also of note, the nüvi 1860 packs all of the aforementioned goodies but throws in a 3 megapixel camera with geotagging for good measure. Garmin doesn't bother to mention pricing details on either of the 18xx units, but we get the impression that both will sticker for well over the $500 mark.
Update: That $500 sticker on the 1690 will include two years of connected services -- not perfect, but a solid gesture nonetheless.
[Thanks, Anonymous]
Have been waiting to upgrade my aging 760. This may be it, if the data services are free.......Which i doubt.......
I just bought a 780 a few month back... Ive always wanted some sort of internet hub/pc type thing in my car. If the 1800 series can come with the connected service (as noted in the engadget update) plus the wifi.. I am completely sold.
remember when navi systems were all about getting you somewhere...yeah...
Hopefully they will beef up the underlying hardware. It has also been long over due that they give it a much faster processor. If i remember correctly, the 8xx series were almost the same as the 7xx series Would be nice if they threw an atom chip in there. I hate how sluggish the GPS units feel. On a different noe though, the iphone tomtom gps actually feels pretty smooth?
They have updated the platforms - the 2x5,7x5, and 8x5 lines all have a faster CPU than the previous models (but I'm pretty sure the same CPU as the 12xx,13xx, and 14xx lines). Sounds like the 1800 series will run on a fundamentally different platform as well.
I will stick to my TomTom App for iPhone 3GS
I love the idea of having gps on my phone since i carry that thing on me 24/7, but i just have a hard time switching to a iphone app as my main GPS. I see it more as a back up plan; for that fated day when your main gps goes bad, or if you happen to be traveling with someone and they happen to get lost.
And also there is the question of overheating.....
The iphone gets pretty hot with just the GPS on. I can only imagine how much hotter it will be when you have it on the dash for an extended period of time with that raw sunlight hitting it dead on. Call me crazy, but i think were gonna see new headlines of exploding iphones on drivers faces.
Kinda scary..lol
Looks like we got some Apple haters voting down everyone mentioning the iPhone. I'm all for dedicated devices, just not for average consumers. Face it, marginalization of PND is coming, Apple or not.
Doesn't anybody notice this looks a lot like that mysterious tablet that keeps getting caught in pictures with google android on it?
It has a very large bejjel.
Too little, too late, Garmin. You had a very long time to improve the device functionality before phones (specifically iPhone App) caught up, and instead you churned out version after version of dumbed-down Nuvi's. :(
In no way will an iPhone app takeover the industry. Not only is it comparable in price to a standalone unit, but there is also the inconvenience of using it on a "single-tasking" phone. Besides, I'd imagine quite a few iPhone owners already own standalone GPS units.
In addition to all of that, there aren't enough iPhone users to even make a dent in the standalone PND market. It may seem like a large crowd, but the majority of people will wish for a standalone PND.
Jarhead111 @ - I tend to agree with you. I have An android phone, and have used the TeleNav software, which I think is pretty good.. but it will NEVER replace a dedicated GPS. I suspect it may in a few years, when mobile hardware can keep up and stay cool enough. But until then, I will stick with two separate devices, and only call upon the android software when walking around or when I need it in an emergency or as a back up for a friend when driving.
Note that I never said iPhone will take over the market overnight. What's more important is that people's perception of using phone in place of PND will be changing drastically. Garmin's recent turnabout on removing to adding features is a real indicator of this trend.
Rock it like it's 1699!
And get ready for Lincoln in 1860!
The 1690 is now reported to include 2 years subscription to live services at no additional charge, for practical purposes, FREE. With a more complete collection of connected services than anything TomTom currently offers, and considering 2 years of their subscription would add roughly $210 to the price of the TomTom 740(3 months comes free), I think it could be a very stout competitor. My guess is a device like this from Garmin will easily outsell TT's North American offering.
Are these coming to the US? How long will it be before these are declared entertainment units and become illegal to be viewable from the driver's seat? Will things like youtube function if the unit is moving? If so, it's a video playback device and I believe illegal in most (all?) states.
Does anyone know when is the release date for the nüvi 1820 or nüvi 1860 ?
I never own any portable nav unit before. After reading news/comments from engadget about the new nüvi 1820/1860 that catch my attention and i would like to buy one.
Can anyone provide any advise?....
1) buy nüvi 1690 now
2) wait to buy nüvi 1820/1860
Thank you,
ThomasT