Garmin nuvi 1690 and nuLink! to Connect Drivers to Real Time Data Through AT&T Wireless Network
Written by Garmin International Inc
Thursday, 17 September 2009
New Device Features Location Based Social Networking, Real Time Traffic Updates, Fuel Pricing, Flight Status, Local Search
OLATHE, Kan. and DALLAS, Sept. 17 -- Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ:GRMN) , and AT&T* announced today that AT&T will provide the wireless network connection for the nuvi 1690, a portable navigation device (PND) with a built-in wireless module planned for release later this year.
The nuvi 1690 will come equipped with Garmin's nuLink!, an industry leading, feature-rich service that will provide customers mobile access to Google(TM) Local search and up-to-date local information, including traffic, weather, fuel prices, movie listings, flight status, local events, and white page telephone listings. The service also features Ciao!(TM), Garmin's exclusive location-based social networking system that connects multiple networks into a single portal for Garmin users.
"The nuvi is a powerful time-saving tool that takes the mystery out of where you are, where you're going, and the best way to get there - whether it's to an important meeting, a child's soccer game, or across the country on a road trip," said Cliff Pemble, Garmin's president and COO. "We're pleased to deliver this compelling, real-time content across AT&T's nationwide network, delivering the ultimate navigation experience."
"We look forward to providing the network connection that will deliver an exciting new breed of timely wireless data, helping redefine on-the-go navigation for consumers and keeping them connected and informed," said Glenn Lurie, president, AT&T Emerging Devices and Resale.
The U.S. version of the nuvi 1690 will be offered with two years of free Garmin nuLink! service, making it the first online PND to offer an extended period of online features included in the purchase price of the device. It will come equipped with 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. Following the first two years of service, the Garmin nuLink! subscription renewal price for data services is $5.00/month.
The nuvi 1690 is 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.
The nuvi 1690 will also come standard with ecoRoute(TM), 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. Fuel prices in the U.S. are updated daily.
The nuvi 1690 also features Bluetooth Wireless Technology that makes it possible to receive and place phone calls directly from the nuvi, once paired with a wireless phone. 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 nuvi 1690 boasts the most comprehensive set of points of interest (POI) search capabilities offered by any online PND, delivered through nuLink's Google Local and white page telephone listings. Google Local brings online 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 Google Local via categories like food, lodging and fuel, rather than typing a word or phrase into the Google Local search box. Customers can also use the nuLink!'s 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 feature, 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(TM) - a world leader in premium-quality mapping.
Garmin's 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.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. AT&T offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse(SM) and AT&T |DIRECTV(SM) brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T's Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/.
2009 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 3G service not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
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