Garmin has announced one more product today, the Garmin Mobile 20. The Mobile 20 is a Bluetooth-enabled wireless GPS navigation system that adds full GPS navigation and hands-free calling capabilities to mobile smartphones. Garmin Mobile 20 supports Nokia, Windows Mobile and Treo smartphones.
Here is a list of Mobile’s 20 features.
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Garmin besides the nuvi 310 and 360 has also announced today two more of the products I mentioned in my new Garmin products post earlier this week, the StreetPilot c510(it will only ship in Europe) and the StreetPilot c550 while the c510D that I have mentioned in the previous post is not actually a standalone product but a StreetPilot c510D “deluxe” package.
Here is the press release:
HANNOVER, Germany/March 8, 2006/PR Newswire — Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), today announced that it has expanded its best-selling line of StreetPilot c-series automotive navigators with offerings that include exciting new features. The StreetPilot c500 series was formally unveiled at CeBIT, Europe’s premier electronics trade show in Hannover, Germany, from March 9-15, 2006.
It seems that the rumor we posted a couple of days ago about Garmin releasing a number of new products is no longer a rumor. Today Garmin announced two of the GPS devices, I have mentioned in my previous post, the Nuvi 310 and the Nuvi 360 (pictured on the left). The Garmin Nuvi 310 will be sold exclusively in Europe while the Nuvi 360 will ship worldwide. Both of them integrate wireless technology and a microphone that allows you to make hands-free mobile phone calls using a compatible bluetooth phone. The nuvi 360 comes with preloaded maps of Europe or North America, while the 310 has only regional European map data. Both of them offer automatic routing, 2D or 3D map perspective, turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names, and a fingertip touch screen interface. Some other features include MP3 player, audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, travel alarm and a currency converter.
Here is a list of the features as provided by Garmin:
Both the 310 and the 360 are expected to start shipping in June and the suggested retail price for the nuvi 360 will be $964.27.
Garmin Nuvi 360
Garmin Nuvi 310
Technorati Tags: Garmin, Nuvi, 350, 310, GPS
While browsing I came across this hungarian website that from what I can understand is a reseller of Garmin products. In that page there are a number of Garmin products listed that haven’t been announced yet. These are:
This ofcourse is not a proof that Garmin will be releasing these new GPS devices or a proof that these even exist. However, I would not be surprised at all if this list was genuine since it is in accordance with Garmin’s latest press release where they announced that they were going to release a total of 50-60 new products in 2006.
Here is the relevant extract from the press release.
We look forward to introducing between 50 and 60 new products in 2006; ten new products introduced so far in 2006, many during January’s very successful Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas
So is this list genuine? My guess is that it is, but I suppose we have to wait until the CeBIT to see if Garmin is going to announce any of these GPS devices.
Related Link: Garmin New Garmin Sat Nav units available for the UK. Including the Garmin Nuvi 670 680 and the nuvi 250W and 270w. Widescreen SatNav to rival the Tom Tom
Mobile Analyst Watch has an interesting comparison of the Garmin Forerunner 205 and 201. He writes:
Overall I like the 205 a lot. It’s more comfortable on the wrist, has better placed buttons (lap and start/stop), more features I’ll use, and hopefully will be more accurate too. I plan to do another write up or two after taking it on some trails with heavy tree cover and/or canyons, where I have always lost GPS signals in the past.
Technorati Tags: GPS, Garmin, Forerunner, 201, 205
One more review of the Garmin Nuvi 350 has appeared online. This time the Nuvi 350 was reviewed by PopGadget. PopGadget writes:
Unlike my old Garmin, the Nuvi was incredibly easy to set up — in that no setup is required. I literally took it out of the box, flipped up the antenna, turned it on and started using it. The only control on the outside of the device is the on/off switch, but the on-screen controls are so intuitive that I was able to use it without even looking at the manual. I can’t think of anyone who couldn’t figure out how to use this right out of the box (except maybe my mother). I like that the map gives you geographic context by zooming in and out: when you’re driving on one road for a long stretch, it zooms out to a broader view of the surrounding roads and towns, then when you’re in an area where you’re making turns, usually closer to your destination, it zooms in closer. You can also control the size of the map yourself by touching buttons on the screen.
This review was added to the Garmin Nuvi 350 Reviews Roundup post.
Garmin Nuvi is one of the most talked about GPS receivers, and a number of reviews have been written over the past few months.
PC Magazine Review: PC Magazine has give the Nuvi 350 a rating of 4,5/5 and named it Editors’ Choice as the best in it’s class.
GlobalPositioningSystems Review: Global Positioning Systems in their review conclude “Take my word for it – this is quite simply the greatest in-car GPS you get at the moment.
It’s just brilliant.”
Signal Vs Noise Review: Signal Vs Noise review title is “Garmin Nuvi 350: Insanely recommended” I think the title says it all.
Walter S. Mossberg Review: Walter S. Mossberg concludes in his review “As slick as the Nuvi is, I consider it too expensive for the value it delivers, at least for mainstream, casual users.”
GPSInformation Review: GPS Information writes: “It is not the least expensive, but overall it performs very well. NuVi is ideal for a portable unit for a traveler.”
BusinessWeek Review: The review over at BusinessWeek is titled “The Easiest, Smartest GPS Yet”. Once again the title says it all.
Neowin Review: The reviewer writes “The Garmin Nuvi 350 is getting closer to my ideal GPS device. If you can afford it, this is the best GPS unit I have found and suites most of my needs.”
ZDNET Mini Review: The editor concludes “The Garmin Nüvi 350 is the ultimate traveler’s tool, and if it weren’t for its high price, we’re sure the gadget would appeal to a large number of travelers.” There are also 19 user opinions that rate the Nuvi 350 8,6/10.
Amazon User Reviews: There are already 26 users that have reviewed and rated the Nuvi 350. The average customer review is 5/5
PopGadget Review Another review of the Garmin Nuvi 350, this time by PopGadget.
The conclusions are yours.
SurfSki.info has posted a review of the Garmin Forerunner 305 and reports:
The unit really looks the part of a new generation – the case feels far more robust and the screen has a far higher resolution than that of the 301.
The heart rate monitor strap also has the appearance of much better quality; it’s softer and more comfortable too.
Almost every aspect of the unit has been improved. Major changes are:
The positioning and sensitivity of the antenna. The unit is designed for runners and the antenna is placed at an angle below the screen so that it faces upwards when worn on a runner’s wrist. Of course when you mount the unit on a surf ski, the antenna faces the floor. But this didn’t seem affect reception on the two occasions that I tried it.
Removal of the USB port.
The addition of “Course” functionality that allows you to record a particular downwind run for example and to compare subsequent runs against it (or against each other).
Read the whole review at SurfSki
Technorati Tags: review, GPS, Forerunner, 305, Garmin
Garmin, has filled a lawsuit against TomTom in a Wisconsin Federal Court. Garmin contends that TomTom is infringing on five Garmin U.S. patents held by Garmin. Among those patents is one that protects Garmin technology designed to calculate which streets are important enough to a driver’s route to be displayed on the device’s on-screen maps and therefore simplify the maps showing a vehicle’s location.
TomTom rejects Garmin’s claims. However, market analysts called this lawsuit bad news for TomTom and noted that if Garmin wins this case, TomTom will be forced to stop marketing it’s products in the US market.
Via Kansas City Star
Technorati Tags: TomTom, Garmin, lawsuit, patent, infringement
While I was searching for more information about the Garmin Nuvi 350 I came across another review. This review was posted a while back in December by Signal Vs Noise and is titled Garmin Nuvi 350: Insanely recommended so I guess you can guess what the conclusion was. Jason at Signal Vs Noise writes
And there’s more… But really, this is such a fantastic product. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been so satisfied with an electronic purchase. If you’re in the market for a mobile nav system for your car, bike, motocycle, or just for exploring a new city on foot without getting lost, you simply can’t go wrong with the Garmin Nuvi 350.
