Posted on Saturday, January 05 2008 @ 0:00 CET by Thomas De MaesschalckThe device measures 4.8"W x 3.0"H x .8"D (12.2 x 7.6 x 2.0 cm) and has a 4.3" LCD display with a 480 x 272 pixel resolution.
The enhanced dynamic content from the second generation of the MSN Direct network, which is also included on Garmin’s newly announced nüvi 880, includes:
- Traffic conditions: receive up-to-date traffic incident and flow information for most metropolitan areas across North America, and let nüvi select a route that avoids traffic accidents, road closures, and construction.
- Fuel prices: receive gas price data from over 100,000 gas stations across the nation. Drivers will always know where to get the best prices – and save time and fuel by using their unit to navigate directly to the station of their choice.
- Weather reports: features current weather conditions (including high/low/current temperatures, chances of precipitation, humidity, pressure, wind, and weather alerts) as well as three day weather forecasts.
- Enhanced movie listings: search for movies by title or by theater and receive show times, ‘star’ ratings, genre, actors, and more – and get driving directions to the theater.
- Local events: receive special notices on festivals, concerts, and sporting events in your area, and navigate to them.
- News and stocks: the latest news headlines and financial market updates are always at your fingertips.
- Send to GPS capability: plan trips and look up destinations from the convenience of your computer, via Windows Live Local, and then wirelessly send locations to your nüvi 780.
Then there's also the new nüvi 260W which is a widescreen navigator that speaks street names. It measures 4.8"W x 2.9"H x .8"D (12.2 x 7.4 x 2.0 cm) and features a 4.3" display with a 480 x 272 pixel resolution.
In addition to features offered by other members of the nüvi 200 family, the nüvi 260W automatically calls out street names (saying “turn right on Main Street” instead of “turn right in 200 feet.”). This feature lets drivers keep their eyes on the road while navigating through busy traffic and tricky roadways. The nüvi 260W also sports a sunlight-readable 4.3-inch touchscreen display. “The nüvi 260W gives consumers the most sought-after navigation features, while eliminating many of the premium add-ons,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “The result is a PND that simply gets you from point A to point B – reliably, efficiently, and with style.”
The nüvi 260 series incorporates an internal GPS antenna that makes it thinner and even easier to mount in a car. The intuitive “Where To?” and “View Map” welcome screen allows users to quickly find a specific street address or establishment’s name, or search for a destination by category. Turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions then guide the driver to their destination. If they miss a turn along the route, the nüvi automatically recalculates a route and gets them back on track, pronouncing the names of the streets along the way. The nüvi 260W includes preloaded detailed mapping of the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico – with over six million points of interest (like hotels, restaurants, ATMs, gas stations, and more).
The pocket-sized nüvi 260W also includes a built-in picture viewer, calculator, currency converter, unit converter and world clock. These new navigators are also compatible with Garmin’s line of rich content such as the Garmin Travel Guide and Garmin Language Guide™. For additional security, Garmin has included the Garmin Lock, an innovative patent pending theft prevention system that disables the unit from performing any functions until the user types in a specific 4-digit PIN or takes the unit to a predetermined secure location. Garmin has also added the ability for customers to add custom points of interest (POI’s) from third parties such as school zones and safety cameras.
Another new product in Garmin's nüvi lineup is the $799.99 nüvi 5000 which features a large 5.2" display with a 800 x 480 pixel resolution. This device will be available in February.
With its large, touchscreen interface, the nüvi 5000 makes it easier than ever to obtain voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions, route calculation, and automatic rerouting if a motorist strays off course. Route planning is a cinch as the nüvi 5000 will save 10 routes, specify via points and preview simulated turns on the big screen. Additionally, it auto sorts multiple destinations providing the driver with the most direct and efficient route for errands, deliveries or sales calls. Drivers who want to keep track of where they have been can turn on the track log feature and see an electronic bread crumb trail that shows their previously traveled route on the display. If a driver wants to avoid an area, the nüvi’s routing can be customized by choosing to avoid select roads and areas. Garmin has also made it possible for customers to supplement the pre-loaded maps with custom points of interest such as school zones and safety cameras.
All routing information is displayed on a digital elevation map that shows detail about the surrounding terrain. Users can select a configurable vehicle icon, which allow the user to travel along their route with a fun, customized vehicle-shaped icon – instead of a simple wedge shape graphic. The nüvi also displays speed limits for major highways and Interstates.
Customers also have the opportunity to receive dynamic content from either MSN Direct (U.S. only) or FM TMC (Traffic Message Channel) traffic receiver. Those selecting the optional MSN Direct receiver will receive enhanced, up-to-date traffic information, fuel prices, weather reports, enhanced movie listings, and news and stocks information for major metropolitan areas in the United States. In addition, owners may plan trips and look up destinations from their computer, via Microsoft Local Live, and then send locations and routes to the nüvi 5000. Customers who purchase the optional FM TMC traffic receiver will receive up-to-date traffic information for metropolitan areas in the United States and select European countries.
In addition, the nüvi 5000 displays a video signal from an external analog source, such as a back-up camera. When an external video source is active, the user may revert to the map display by touching anywhere on the screen.
Customers also have several entertainment options to choose from – an internal MP3 player, audio book player and games. The built-in MP3 player lets users browse music by artist, album, song or genre. Music can be loaded onto an SD card and is “drag-and-drop” easy – no special software is required. The nüvi 5000 is also compatible with audible.com, a subscription based audio book service. A handful of games are preloaded on the nüvi to help passengers pass the time. Additional games will be available in the future at www.garmin.com/games. All music or speech files can be emitted over the vehicle’s existing speakers, through the nüvi’s built-in FM wireless transmitter or via the unit’s 3.5mm stereo output jack. The entertainment audio is muted when navigation instructions are given.
