After years of offering only crappy in-dash navigation and usurious map upgrades, we seem to be on the cusp of getting better options from the auto industry. Garmin today unveiled their first factory-installed infotainment system, letting you play songs from your phone’s jukebox or Pandora, access Garmin map updates, use voice commands, view a backup camera display and more. Now they just need to get the system on something besides a Suzuki. Oh, and I’ll add app integration and voice texting to my wish list.
Garmin Smartphone Link app adds three free features including tracking
March 28, 2012 By 28 Comments
Garmin has rolled out an updated version of their Smartphone Link Android app today, bringing three new free features – Garmin Tracker (seen above), dynamic parking and the ability to send addresses direct from the Google Maps application. To get the new functionality, you’ll need to update the app and your firmware. read more
The best Garmin nuvis for pedestrian navigation
March 26, 2012 By 18 Comments
I’m currently testing the Garmin nuvi 3590LMT, which has a 3-axis (AKA tri-axial) compass that allows the screen to rotate automatically. Which is nice, but it also rotates the map and position indicator, orienting them in the direction you are facing. This feature, found on the nuvi 2360 and the 34xx and 35xx series, makes these units ideal for pedestrian navigation. read more
How to get ad-free traffic on your Garmin nuvi
March 19, 2012 By 15 Comments
Most people seem to tolerate Garmin’s ad-supported traffic pretty well, and consider it a fair trade in exchange for free lifetime traffic. While it’s true that the ads aren’t very intrusive, some folks are really bugged by them, so let’s look at ways to avoid the ads:
Garmin Bird’s Eye lane guidance spotted in the wild
March 15, 2012 By 7 Comments
Last August, the Garmin nuvi Prestige series was announced, promising us a new feature – Bird’s Eye lane guidance to show you the proper lane with an overhead perspective. While I haven’t been crisscrossing the country much lately, it seems to me that, just like Junction View initially, this feature has been slow to roll out. Well, in case you haven’t seen it yet, the screenshot above shows what you can look forward to. The bird’s eye image pops up right before the standard junction view visual. read more
Details emerge on Garmin Smartphone Link app
January 11, 2012 By 36 Comments
Garmin has posted some FAQs on their Android Smartphone Link app, and we’ve got the highlights for you…
- While the NAVTEQ traffic data may be the same as what you already receive, since you are getting it via your phone instead of over FM, you may expand your coverage area (many smaller metros have traffic coverage, but no FM-TMC reception)
- Find where traffic cameras are currently available
- Is it coming to the iPhone? Maybe
- Basic (free) weather gets you “current localized weather, temperature and forecasts,” while Advanced Weather adds “severe weather alerts, notifications of weather along your current route, and animated radar images on your Garmin navigator” (see image below)
- Garmin estimates “an average monthly data usage of around 2 MB per month…very heavy users might use up to 20 MB per month”
- But they also say that “an unlimited data plan is recommended when using the premium services available through Garmin Live Services”
Garmin Smartphone Link uses your phone’s data plan to bring live services to your nuvi
January 9, 2012 By 34 Comments
I thought we might see this. Like your PND and have a smartphone with unlimited data? Garmin is ready to siphon data from your carrier, bucks from your wallet, and deliver connected services to your nuvi.
Garmin nuvi 3550LM and 3590LMT: Super-thin with a 5" screen
January 9, 2012 By 23 Comments
UPDATE: I’ve added links to the product pages for the new models (see below).
UPDATE 2: Read my reviews of the Garmin nuvi 3550LM and the 3590LMT.
Torn between the super-thin Garmin nuvi 3400 series and the 5″ 25×5 models? Well fret no more, as Garmin has announced the nuvi 3550LM and 3590LMT, bringing these two popular form factors together. Don’t expect a lot of new features though; this release is all about size and style.
Garmin nuvi 3450LM
November 17, 2011 By 5 Comments
The Garmin nuvi 3450LM
Garmin nuvi 3450
November 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The Garmin nüvi 3450
