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Garmin's latest GPS navigator has a backup camera for avoiding fender benders
Here's a nice feature from the sometimes staid world of in-car GPS devices. The latest from Garmin features a wireless backup camera that'll show what's behind you on its 7-inch display. The ruggedized camera plugs into your vehicle's rearview lights for power, switching on when they do, so you can toggle between that image and the standard navigation screen. The Nüvi 2798LMT package runs $400 and includes the standard Garmin features like voice-activated navigation and free traffic reports and maps.
Switched On: PNDs try to find their way
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. From pitch pipes to voice recorders, the list of standalone devices that an unadorned smartphone can substitute for runs long. But the portable electronics products that smartphones have had the most impact on have been digital cameras / camcorders, portable media players and portable navigation devices (PNDs, although the Europeans did a better naming job with "sat navs"). The future of PNDs looked rosier in the days when cellphone navigation services required a monthly fee. Google Navigation changed all that and much of the market was relegated to sub-$100, Black Friday-bought glove compartment hermits. But even as they've released smartphone navigation apps, companies such as Garmin and Magellan keep plugging away at the PND, trying to differentiate from the smartphone apps while cooperating with them.
Garmin's 2013 nüvi sat nav lineup detailed on company's website (update: hands-on photos)
Yep, more Garmin stuff we haven't seen before. The website for the 2013 range of nüvi GPS sat navs is live, and there are a ton of new models in "Essential," "Advanced" and "Prestige" categories. As you can probably guess, models in the Essential series are the most basic, with standard navigation features and 4.3- or 5-inch screens. The Advanced series has slightly more to offer, such as traffic alerts and "Garmin Real Directions," which uses "easy-to-see buildings and landmarks" to guide you; there are a couple of 7-inch models in the Advanced series. The nüvi 3597LMTHD is the most feature-packed model, and the only one worthy of the Prestige label. It's got a 5-inch display, Real Directions, "HD Digital Traffic," free map updates forever and more goodies. The most basic model in the Essential line is listed at $120, while the 3597LMTHD is the most expensive, at $380. The full breakdown of every model can be found at the source link below. Update: We've added some hands-on and press pics, and the CES announcement PR can now be found after the break. It focuses mainly on the Prestige offering, but gives more detail on features which are also found on some of the cheaper models, too. %Gallery-174929% Zach Honig contributed to this report. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Garmin shows the way with new nüvi 3500 series, Smartphone Link and Approach G6 (video)
The shrink wrap may be barely off the last nüvi refresh, but Garmin clearly wanted to keep a little something back for CES, and here it is: the new 3500 series, the Approach G6 golfing GPS and an Android app. The new 3500s have the ultra-thin form factor of the company's "prestige" range, while adding an inch of screen space, taking it up to five. As these are the new top-of-the-line, all the nav-goodies you could want, like the Guidance 3.0 nav engine, Digital 3D Traffic and photoReal junction view (covering some 60,000 junctions in the US and Canada), as well as compatibility with its latest Android app (3590LMT only), but more on this shortly. The 3550LM gets free lifetime map updates and will cost $369.99 when it launches in February. The Bluetooth enabled 3590LMT gets all the same, plus lifetime digital 3D traffic updates plus that Smartphone Link support for an extra $30. If you're more into tearing up the fairway than the freeway, Garmin's lawn friendly Approach G6 golfing GPS is likely more your cup of "tee". Weighing a touch over three ounces, it shouldn't affect your swing, and the number of mapped courses has been upped to 20,000 from the G5's 17,500. The G6 should also be out in February, just in time for that spring trip, and will take an estimated $299 out of your children's college fund. The last of Garmin's new wares is the aforementioned Android app: Smartphone Link. Essentially adding functionality -- some free, some not so -- to your bluetooth enabled 2012 nüvi. Services such as traffic information, traffic camera images, weather and fuel prices can be piped in via the app (and your cell data plan) instead of being bundled into the GPS itself at an extra cost. Makes sense. Prices for each service will vary, but range from $4.99 to $19.99 for a year's access. For the full PR, and a video demo of the app, click that link to see more.
Garmin nüvi navigators get refreshed, countless new models for 2012
It's time for Garmin to refresh its lineup and flood the market with a slew of dash-mounted GPS devices. In total there are six new series of navigators, with countless models scattered amongst them. The "essential" nüvi 30, 40 and 50 (top left) lines come in three sizes: 3.5-inch, 4.3-inch, and 5-inch sizes (we're sure you can guess which is which), and cover all the basics including a lifetime's worth of free map updates. Stepping up a notch to the "advanced" 2405 (top right) and 2505 series (4.3-inch and 5-inch lines respectively) nets you Garmin's Guidance 2.0 system. The software includes niceties like 3D traffic updates (for free, of course) and photoReal junction view for finding the right lane at off ramps. Last is the "prestige" line -- the nüvi 3400 series -- ultra-thin, 4-inch devices that looks more like a phone than a navigator. The 3400s turn in the frustrating resistive screen for a capacitive panel and upgrade to Guidance 3.0. The 3.0 edition sports all the same features as its lower numbered sibling, but adds pinch-to-zoom, lane guidance and text-to-speech for incoming SMS messages. Not overwhelmed enough yet? Check out the PR after the break. [Thanks, Devin]
Garmin's nuvi 2400 pairs a 5-inch screen with voice control, isn't a phone
You don't need us to tell you that phones are posing a huge threat to the dedicated navigation device market, but Garmin isn't giving up without a fight (or without hedging its bets). It just announced its nüvi 2400 series of "large format" PNDs, with 5-inch screens and a wealth of features. Standouts include voice control and some serious routing capabilities based on "trafficTrends" and "myTrends," which are exactly what they sound like. Prices start at $250, with all the features available but except for traffic and free map updates. At the $350 mark you can get lifetime map and traffic, traffic adapter . The whole line should be out in Q1 of this year.
Garmin's nuLink! 1695 attracts high-end GPS buyers, nuvi 2200 and 2300 mop up the rest
Looks like Garmin's cellular nüLink! service was something of a success -- it's now become the brand of the company's new top-tier GPS. The Garmin nüLink! 1695 replaces the nüvi 1690 with a model nigh-identical on the outside but for a larger, 5-inch touchscreen, but imbued with the traffic trending features of the 3700 series -- in other words, pretty much just what we expected. Unfortunately for spendthrifts lusting after its connected search functions (including traffic, weather, Google, fuel prices, flight times and more) and new integrated services store, the price is about what we expected as well, starting at $450 for the unit with a year of nüLink data and $5 a month thereafter. However, if that's out of your price range Garmin's not going to let you go without a fight -- it's also introduced no fewer than eleven new nüvi 2200 and 2300 series PNDs with a wide variety of features at nearly every wallet size. Press releases after the break, and find the full lineup at our source link.
Garmin recalls 1.25 million navigation units due to potential fire hazard
GPS recalls haven't been nearly as common as some other battery-related recalls in recent years, but Garmin has now been hit with a fairly big one -- it's voluntarily recalling some 1.25 million nuvi units due to an overheating issue that could pose a fire hazard. The recall affects certain nuvi 200W, 250W, 260W, and 7xx models that use batteries from an unnamed third-party supplier and a specific PCB design, which Garmin says can "in rare circumstances, increase the possibility of overheating." While there's still been no reports of significant damage or injuries, Garmin is nonetheless advising anyone with an affected unit to stop using it immediately and return it for service -- hit up the link below to check if your nuvi is included in the recall.
Garmin connected nuvi 1695 takes an immediate left turn out of FCC HQ
A new nuvi is coming down the highway, and it means business. Navigational business. It's the Garmin nuvi 1695, a connected GPS device that offers Bluetooth and GSM, much like the 1690 before it. In fact, it's not entirely clear what makes this different from the last year's 1690, but GPSTracklog speculates this will offer Garmin's traffic trends feature also found in the 3700, augmented by real-time updates from every other 1695 user similarly stuck in traffic. Seems like a good guess to us, but we're of course more curious about how much the thing will cost -- $500 for the 1690 when it was new was a bit of a bitter pill to swallow.
Garmin nuvi 3790T review
For the most part, standalone navigators have retained their same form factor for the better part of the last five years. Each one looked like the other, with the main differentiators being a fold-out or integrated antenna and a big or small display. With intense competition coming from the smartphone space (yeah, we're looking at you, Google), the bigwigs at TomTom and Garmin are obviously thinking of ways to innovate and keep their consumer PNDs relevant. We aren't exactly convinced that shaping said navigators like said smartphones is the best answer, but you won't find us kvetching about the sleek lines and slim nature of the nüvi 3790T. Announced back in April alongside the 3760T and 3750 models, the king of the 3700 series packs a 4.3-inch WVGA multitouch display and a frame that's just 9mm thick; what you're left with is the most stunning personal NAV system on the planet, and we've had the opportunity to test one out before it hits US shelves in July. Care to see if this beaut is worth $449? Head on past the break for our two pennies (and a video overview, too!). %Gallery-95303%
T-Mobile Garminfone finds itself in the camera's eye (update: video)
Where to, Garminfone? The front of a gracious tipster's camera, that's where. Well, looks like someone's enjoying the navigation smartphone on T-Mobile bands, even if it's not yet you. More pics below! Update: And now we've got video, too, via TmoNews and after the break! %Gallery-92145% [Thanks, anonymous!]
Garmin's nuvi 3700 series clears the FCC
Been itching to get another look at Garmin's decidedly un-GPS-like nuvi 3700 series? Then say hello to your new best friend the FCC, which has now provided us with plenty of shots of the device both inside and out, along with the device's user manual and the usual slew of exciting test reports. Nothing much in the way of surprises, but the back of the device does look a tad less sleek than it did in Garmin's promo video, which might explain why all of the press shots show only the front or side of the device -- although it's certainly still a considerable step up from most other navigation units. Head on past the break for another shot of the device's familiar face, and hit up the source link below for the complete FCC goods.
T-Mobile Garminfone official: Android, 3 megapixels, zero nuvi branding
We've known that Garmin-Asus has been working on a phone with T-Mobile's 3G bands for a while, but now we finally know what it is: meet the Garminfone. Yes, just "Garminfone" -- you won't find an ounce of nuvifone branding here, despite the fact that the device is a dead ringer for the nuvifone A50 announced back at MWC, which leads us to believe that AT&T might hold the exclusive American rights to market the name with its own G60. Whatever the case may be, you can expect a 3 megapixel autofocus cam, microSD expansion up to 32GB, WiFi, and full HSPA alongside Garmin's own flavor of Android (currently based on 1.6, we believe) that emphasizes its nuvi-esque navigation capabilities on a 3.5-inch HVGA display. As you might expect, it'll come bundled with a charging dash / windshield mount (notice those gold connectors on the side of the phone) when it launches "later this Spring." Follow the break for the full press release. %Gallery-91279%
Garmin nuvi 3700 series breaks the GPS mold, uses another mold instead
Well, it's not everyday you see a navigation unit that truly stands out from the rest, but Garmin has managed to do that with its new 3700 series, which are both completely new, yet somewhat... familiar. Available in nüvi 3790T, nüvi 3760T and nüvi 3750 models, the devices are all just 9mm thick, and pack a 4.3-inch capacitive WVGA display (with full multitouch), Garmin's own EcoRoute and nüRoute with trafficTrends services, the usual 2D and 3D views, and a microSD card slot for expansion, among other standard fare. The 3790T and 3760T also add Bluetooth and free lifetime traffic alerts, while the 3790T is the only one of the lot with complete voice-activated navigation including a customizable wake-up phrase. Of course, the real news here is the design, which has earned Garmin a Red Dot Design Award, and features a brushed metal enclosure, a flush glass display and only the minimum buttons required on the side. As you might have guessed, however, these aren't exactly Garmin's new entry-level offerings, with the 3750, 3760T and 3790T set to run $349, $399 and $449 when they roll out sometime in the third quarter.
Cyber Monday deals roundup: Core i7, HDTVs, SSDs, free Droid Eris
In Soviet Bulgaria, we don't have Cyber Mondays, but from what we've been told this is a pretty bargainous time of the year. HP starts us off with a pair of coupons on its dv8 Core i7 notebook, one of which drops the 18.4-inch laptop to just $899. There are also deep 50 percent discounts on its printers, but only the Photosmart Premium All-in-One remains after the two cheaper models sold out. Click the Logic Buy link below to get in on the action. Amazon has the older Modern Warfare at $29.95 and Uncharted 2 at $40 flat for the PS3, Garmin's nuvi 260W at a cent under $115 (or half price), and plenty of discounts on DVDs, gadgetry and even clothing. Best Buy keeps pace by offering the same price on the Garmin nav unit, as well as 10 percent discounts on Apple's iPod range. Walmart is kicking off a whole Cyber Week with a Sony Bravia 32-inch HDTV priced at $398 and a $249 Nintendo Wii Value Bundle, which includes Wii Sports, sporting peripherals, and a choice of free game. If you're more interested in computer components, Newegg's $30 mail-in rebate on the 120GB OCZ Agility SSD will net you the drive for $289, our favorite of a plethora of deals at the online store. And finally, Dell is offering the Droid Eris for free when taking out a new Verizon Wireless account, which is at least $30 cheaper than you can get it anywhere else. Time to get clicking! Read - Amazon Read - Best Buy Read - Dell Read - Logic Buy Read - Newegg Read - Walmart
Garmin EcoRoutes ESP module turns your GPS into car sentinel
Get ready to tech up your driving experience, as Garmin has unveiled a new accessory for its nuvi line of GPS devices that lets you add a number of customizable gauges and monitoring utilities. The new ESP module tucks into the OBD-II diagnostics port on your car and communicates (via Bluetooth) all-important data like intake air temperatures and the fuel efficiency of your driving to the nuvi up top. Yea, it's been done before, but Garmin is (for the time being) a major force in navigation devices and could truly popularize this should there be enough interest. For our money, it's both a neat and geeky way to expand the functionality of the now threatened satnav species. The full dish on price and availability can be expected at CES 2010 this coming January.
Garmin's nuvi 1450 GPS makes small, quiet blip on retail map
It's not that Garmin doesn't love the nuvi 1450 -- we're sure it loves each and every one one of its GPS units equally in their own special way or somesuch -- but it did release the device without so much as a press release or other typical fanfare. Bummer, but the 5-inch, 480 x 272 resolution touchscreen has now been unearthed and doesn't look too bad for its $449.99 price tag. Battery lasts up to three hours without charge and includes optional cityXplorer software for public transit listings and ecoRoute for fuel-conscious drivers. Available now if you're itching to take it with you on the next road trip. [Via Slashgear]
Garmin's connected nuvi 1690 now shipping for $500
Guess what, kiddos? Garmin's minty fresh connected PND is now shipping, and if you plan on getting your home address on one of those labels, you best break out the checkbook. The nüvi 1690 is now moving out from Amazon's warehouses, and just as promised, it's going for a penny under $500. Is real-time access to Google search, white page listings, real-time traffic and flight status updates on your GPS unit really worth all that cheddar? Maybe -- but just wait until those two years of free service expire. Good times.[Via navigadget]
Garmin-Asus nuvifone G60 unboxing and hands-on
There she is. 20 months and 1 day after its original introduction to the world, the Garmin-Asus nüvifone G60 is at long last in our (admittedly sweaty) palms. The highfalutin' smartphone isn't slated to hit AT&T shelves until this Sunday, but we were able to wrangle a retail unit early in order to bring you a sneak peek at what's to come. Frankly, we've been looking forward to this day for a long (long!) time. We've got a soft spot in our hearts for the Garmin navigation UI, and we have to say, that very same look and feel has been beautifully migrated to the mobile space. Upon unwrapping the phone, we were struck by just how classy the whole thing looks. It's plenty thin for being a GPS-turned-phone, light enough to not weigh you down and sturdy enough to somewhat justify the $299 (on contract) price. We did some brief browsing around, and everything felt satisfactorily snappy. The resistive touchscreen had some expected give, but by and large screen presses did exactly what we wanted 'em to in our limited testing. We're aiming to give this bad boy a serious critiquing over the next few days, but for now, feel free to peruse the absurdly detailed gallery below.%Gallery-74444%
Garmin's nuLink! service powered by AT&T -- more connected nuvis to come?
Connected PNDs have it rough. Ever since Dash folded, the future has been murky at best for any GPS company hoping to rope consumers in by promising real-time information on the face of their navigator. Garmin, however, is hoping to get folks hooked by avoiding that awful monthly fee for the first two years on its nüvi 1690, and it's using AT&T's network in order to do so. Today, the carrier proudly announced that it would be the one providing service to the device, giving users within range of an AT&T tower access to Google Local search, updated fuel prices, white page listings and Garmin's own Ciao! social networking system. What's interesting, however, is the high-profile nature of the partnership. We'd hate to speak too soon, but would we be nuts to think a whole cadre of AT&T connected GPS units were on tap for, say, CES 2010? Guess only time -- and sales data from the 1690 -- will tell.
