Published: September 03, 2009
Garmin nuvi 1690 and nuLink!sm Connect Drivers with Relevant, Online Information
OLATHE, Kan. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the
global leader in satellite navigation, announced today the nuvi 1690,
a portable navigation device (PND) with a built-in wireless module that
lets customers tap into Garmin's nuLink! service that provides
direct links to certain online information like Google local search,
traffic, weather, fuel prices, movie listings, flight status, local
events, white page telephone listings and Ciao! , Garmin's exclusive
location-based social networking system that connects multiple networks
into a single portal for Garmin users. The U.S. version of the nuvi 1690
comes with two years of free Garmin nuLink! service, which makes it the
first PND to offer an extended period of online features included in the
purchase price of the device.
"Our customers want and need accurate, up-to-the-minute information that
they can access quickly and without hassles," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's
vice president of worldwide sales. "The nuvi 1690 meets these
expectations by combining the power of Google's local search and other
compelling online services with preloaded maps and points of interest
for the ultimate navigation experience. And best of all, the nuvi 1690
includes two years of Garmin nuLink! service out-of-the-box, eliminating
any hesitation that customers might have about paying for these premium
services."
The nuvi 1690 with nuLink! has the most comprehensive set of POI search
capabilities offered by any PND thanks to the implementation of Google
local search and white page telephone listings. Google's local search
brings online points of interest (POIs) to customers' fingertips and
lets them search for destinations by name or key words just like they
are accustomed to doing on their personal computer. In addition, Garmin
has created a "quick search" feature that lets users search via
categories like food, lodging and fuel, rather than typing a word or
phrase into the search box. Detailed search results are displayed for
many POIs including a location description, business address, phone
number and popularity rating. Customers can also use the nuLink! white
page telephone listing feature to search for a person's street address
by their first name, last name or phone number.
In addition to the local search capabilities, Garmin nuLink! offers a
plethora of other online services. Local events and movie listings help
customers find interesting activities wherever they might travel.
Real-time flight status takes the stress out of traveling to the airport
with up-to-the minute arrival and departure information for major air
carriers. And the Garmin nuLink! traffic feature provides the
best-in-class information from NAVTEQ to help customers navigate in and
around congestion.
Customers can also opt to use the nuvi 1690's preloaded POI database to
search for a location and then receive turn-by-turn, voice prompted
directions to the destination. The nuvi 1690 includes lane assist with
junction view so drivers will see a realistic presentation of road signs
and junctions along the route, as well as arrows that indicate the
proper lane for navigation. These features make it easy to navigate
unfamiliar intersections and exits because the nuvi guides drivers to
the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit. Map and traffic data
is provided by NAVTEQ - a world leader in premium-quality mapping.
The nuvi 1690 is also Garmin's first mobile navigation device to
transform traditional social networking into location-enabled social
networking. Through Ciao!, a patent-pending social network application
that links multiple location-centric social networks onto one
application, customers have the option of sharing their whereabouts with
friends and family. Ciao! users will see their friends' location on a
map and then be able to navigate to that location. Ciao! currently
aggregates information from GyPSii and uLocate's Buddy Beacon social
network services. Ciao! is expandable and additional social network
partners are expected in the future.
The nuvi 1690 comes standard with ecoRoute , an innovative application
that helps customers stretch their dollars and conserve fuel by creating
routes that are optimized for using less fuel. When a user selects the
"less fuel" option, the nuvi will determine a fuel efficient route based
on fuel consumption rates, estimated driving speeds and vehicle
acceleration data. Customers can then develop better driving habits by
reviewing the results of ecoRoute's Fuel Report and Mileage Report. When
used in combination with nuLink!'s fuel prices, customers can not only
optimize their routes but also can choose their refueling locations in
order to minimize the cost of vehicle operation.
The nuvi 1690 also has Bluetooth Wireless Technology that
makes it possible to receive and place phone calls directly from the
nuvi. It can be paired with over 200 Bluetooth enabled phones, and a
driver can retrieve and dial numbers using a supported phone's contact
list, the phone's call history log, or the nuvi's preloaded points of
interest database.
The U.S. version of the nuvi 1690 has preloaded maps of North America
and is expected to be available in the fourth quarter for a
manufacturer's suggested retail price of $499.99. In the U.S., the first
two years of Garmin nuLink! is free, and after that, the subscription
renewal price for data services is $5.00/month. Fuel prices in the U.S.
are updated daily. nuLink! coverage area information is available at www.garmin.com/nulink.
Additional information is available at www.garmin.com.
About Garmin International Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN),
the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of
companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation,
communication and information devices and applications - most of which
are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin's products serve automotive,
mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM
applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and its
principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the
United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom
at www.garmin.com/pressroom
or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin and
nuvi are registered trademarks and Ciao!, nuLink! and ecoRoute are
trademarks or service marks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
Bluetooth is a registered trademark of the Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service
marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Notice on forward-looking statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd.
and its business. All statements regarding the company's future product
introductions are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based
on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and
circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results
could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors
and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the
risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 27, 2008, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of Garmin's Form
10-K can be downloaded at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html.
No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.
Garmin International Inc.
Jessica Myers, 913-397-8200
media.relations@garmin.com
Copyright © 2012, Business Wire, Inc., All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2012, NewsBlaze,
Daily News