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Palm announces Garmin-powered GPS Navigator
While Palm has worked with Garmin in the past on a few iQues, it's so far relied solely on TomTom to provide the GPS software for its own hardware like its various GPS Navigators (pictured at right). That now looks about to change, however, with the company today announcing that it'll soon start shipping a GPS Navigator equipped with Garmin's recently-announced Mobile XT software. When paired with the Palm smartphone of your choice, that'll not only give you turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions, but traffic information, fuel prices, hotel prices and weather forecasts courtesy of Garmin's online service, which comes at no added cost. Otherwise, the device appears to be unchanged from its previous TomTom incarnation which, incidentally, is still available from Palm (at least for the time being). Those willing to wait for the Gamin version, however, can expect drop $249 for it when it hits the US and Canada in late November.
Garmin's Mobile XT turns your phone into a GPS superstar
Garmin -- your favorite GPS team ever -- is to drop some serious map-styles all over your mobile phone. The company today announced a new set of microSD cards preloaded with its navigation software and standard maps of the US or Europe. The cards will turn your average, boring, ugly phone into a bona fide GPS superstar. Dubbed the Garmin Mobile XT, the card will tout all of the features of a typical hardware Garmin GPS unit, like turn-by-turn directions, route planning, and voice prompts. Additionally, the card provides access to the GPS-maker's online service, which lets you get real-time fuel prices, traffic reports, and weather updates. We know, you're thinking all of this sweet and easy action is going to cost you an arm, leg and first-born... but you're wrong. The company is offering the card right now for the painfully affordable price of $99, with no monthly fees or other costs, thus making this purchase seem attractive even if you don't really need it.
Garmin announces new 200, 600-series Nuvis
Garmin looks to trotted out Nuvis by the bucket load at CeBIT, announcing no less than a half dozen new models, as well as a new tool that'll let bosses keep tabs on their employees. Likely of most interest to those on this side of the Atlantic is the company's new 200-series Nuvis (pictured above), which now occupy the low-end of Garmin's Nuvi line. It comes in three different models models: the Nuvi 200, 250, and 270, each packing a 3.5-inch QVGA touchscreen and otherwise identical expect for the assortment of preloaded maps. Going for the basic Nuvi 200 will just give you coverage of the US, while the 250 adds maps of Canada, and the 270 goes all out with maps of more than 30 European countries. Rounding out the new Nuvis, Garmin's brought a bit more variety to its 600-series, adding the 600, 650, and 660FM models. Each boast 4.3-inch widescreen displays, with the 600 and 650 catering to North American and European drivers, respectively, and the 660FM (only available in Europe) adding an FM transmitter to the mix. Look for the whole lot of 'em to be available next month. Lastly, Garmin's also rolled out an app designed to work with its Mobile XT unit and GPS Buddy's products, which lets bosses take advantage of their employees' smartphones to monitor and direct them in real time -- no doubt set to prompt a rash of phones "forgotten" at the office.Read - Garmin Nuvi 200-seriesRead - Garmin Nuvi 600-seriesRead - Garmin Mobile XT and GPS Buddy
