Garmin to launch EcoRoutes ESP Module to Diagnose your Car
November 6, 2009
Garmin has announced a new accessory for your Garmin Nuvi Satellite Navigations. Dubbed as Garmin EcoRoute ESP Module, this accessory can diagnose your car, and display the details on the Nuvi satellite navigation. It provides details on the working of the car including real-time fuel economy, intake air temperature, coolant temperature, emissions, engine light and so on.
Garmin EcoRoute ESP Module could be fitted behind your car’s dashboard and it transfers data to satellite navigation via blue tooth. It is powered by the car’s OBD-II diagnostic port. The new Garmin Nuvi Sat Nav will have a supporting software to let the user customize which workings of the car you need the module to display. The device could be even set to send alerts for each one of them, if found to be wrong.
This device could be expected by January 2010. No much information is available on its price or the market of the launch.
Garmin to launch Budget friendly Sat Navs for Black Friday
November 5, 2009
Garmin is expected to launch few budget friendly sat navs for Black Friday. The cost of these satellite navigations are assumed to be between $100-$120. No much information is revealed on their model number or features.
Cliff Pemble, the President and COO of Garmin says that the sales of Garmin nuvifones have been slow and the company is taking steps to improve its sales. The first step towards this is the launch of a television advertising campaign. AT&T has also lowered the price of certain Garmin Sat navs.
He also said that Garmin’s Android based Nuvifone is en routed for 2010. Garmin is not found to be fearful of the GPS enabled smartphones, the new generation competitors of GPS navigation devices. Pemble pointed out the pitfalls of GPS enabled smartphones that the phone becomes heated after a long use, and also its lesser GPS reception.
Microsoft to bid adieu to MSN Direct service in 2012
November 4, 2009
Through a notice posted on the official website of MSN Direct, Microsoft informs the users that MSN Direct will discontinue its services from January 1st 2012. Thus, the users of certain satellite navigation devices can no longer receive traffic updates, weather reports and other real time information from 2012 January.
MSN Direct service employs FM radio frequencies to deliver data. The availability of alternatives to broadcast data including Wi-Fi, cellular, FM RDS and other digital networks, and the subsequent reduction for the demand of MSN Direct is reported to be the chief reason behind this decision to discontinue FM based MSN service. Intrinsically, Microsoft has planned to focus on these existing and popular network connections in US and Canada, and discontinue MSN Direct service.
MSN was initially launched in 2004. Currently, GPS makers like Garmin and Pioneer sell units that can receive MSN Direct. Their comment on the same are not available till now.
New Garmin Aera Sat Navs, for both Air and Road Navigation
November 3, 2009
Garmin, one of the leading manufacturers of navigation solutions has launched Garmin Aera series Satellite Navigation to suit both air and road navigation. Two modes, one for air craft and one for car has been provided in this satellite navigation that could be switched between to suit different travel modes.
All satellite navigators in Garmin Aera Sat Nav Series features a wide-screen 4.3 inches touch screen display. When in air mode these sat navs will provide the information with map, weather, terrain, HIS/panel, numbers, position, WPT information, radio, active FPL and tools.
There will be four models available under this Garmin Aera Series. These include aera 500, aera 510, aera 550, and aera 560. Garmin Aera 500 is the basic model in this series. Aera 510 and Aera 560 will have an addition of XM WX capability and GXM 40 antenna. Aera 550 will have a high resolution of 9 arc obstacle data, Safe Taxi and AOPA.
The cost of the basic model is $800, whereas when it comes to aera 510, it is $1300. Aera 550 and Aera 560 are priced at $1500 and $2000 respectively.
Navteq launches new 3D Intersections for Satellite Navigation
November 2, 2009
Navteq, one of the established digital map makers for satellite navigation has rendered intersections in 3D, which is ready to be sold to GPS navigation manufacturers. This new 3D world creation has brought the map intersections more closer to the real view.
The main idea is to help out the drivers at unfamiliar roads, where the intersections they cross become important. The 3D view brings exact replica of road signs, over passes and other things. It is reported that only 8000 intersections in this world are 3D-ed, with 2000 in US.
Navteq’s new 3D intersections have not been sold to any manufacturers yet. But its could be expected sooner as this is time that Google Map navigation has come on to the screen. It could be a possible competition to Google navigation.
