By Telecom Lead Team: Garmin International, a unit of
Garmin, the manufacturer of navigation, communication and information devices
and applications, has launched Smartphone Link, an Android app to provide live
services to personal navigation devices (PNDs).
Smartphone Link works with any Bluetooth enabled 2012
Garmin nuvi and an Android smartphone allowing them to communicate and share
data. The app enables nuvi users to add live services, such as traffic
information, traffic camera images, weather and fuel prices to their navigation
device, utilizing the smartphone’s mobile data plan.
Garmin Live Traffic provides real-time information to
help users navigate in and around congestion. Live Traffic including details of
traffic incidents, road conditions and delays. It covers major highways,
interstates and main roads.
photoLive traffic cameras is an addition to Garmin’s Live
Traffic feature and provides drivers the ability to see real-time photos from
traffic cameras to get a glance at traffic and weather conditions.
Smartphone Link provides current and 5-day forecasts
tailored for major cities in the U.S. and Canada. Advanced Weather also allows
users to receive severe weather alerts and view animated radar images on a map.
Garmin Smartphone Link is available at no cost in the
Android Market and includes several free live services as well as premium
content available through subscriptions.
Garmin Smartphone Link solves the problem of having to
pay for an extra data plan to use live services on a PND by utilizing the
existing connection of a smartphone,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president
of worldwide sales.
Free connected services include live weather information
and myGarmin messaging, which provides update notifications and special offers
from Garmin.
Garmin recently released
a new GTN 750 trainer app for the iPad 2. This trainer, downloadable from the
iTunes Store, simulates the behavior of the GTN 750 system interface and
provides pilots with a safe, on-the-ground environment to learn the basic
operation of the system.
