Hasta La Gadget!

Garmin has updated its iOS navigation software to help fill the gaps in the contentious Apple Maps app, with Navigon and StreetPilot Onboard now packing mass transit information along with iOS 6 compatibility. The updates include an Urban Guidance mode which offers train, bus, tram, and water taxi route planning, features which Apple’s homegrown Maps app does not support.

Meanwhile, there’s also a Last Mile function which will remember the location of a parked car and help a driver return to it later on, useful if you’re easily confused by extensive parking lots. StreetPilot Onboard also adds Google Maps Street View data, which was previously accessible on the iPhone and iPad via Google Maps but, as of iOS 6, is no longer available.

However, some of the selling points Garmin’s software had previously – namely turn-by-turn navigation – now runs the risk of being eclipsed by Maps’ native guidance abilities, also freshly added in iOS 6. It’s also worth noting that the Urban Guidance system is a paid add-on through in-app purchase – priced at $2.99 – though it does include transit line information and integrate with Apple’s transit system within Maps.

Garmin is unlikely to be the only company keen to occupy the space vacated by Google Maps, though whether the company’s $44.99 price tag for Garmin StreetPilot Onboard USA or $39.99 for Navigon will be forced down in the process remains to be seen. Meanwhile, web-based alternatives are already available, such as Nokia Maps, which also include turn-by-turn guidance, public transportation, traffic monitoring, and more.

[via The Verge]

Garmin fills iOS 6 Maps gaps with mass transit guidance is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

You won’t be able to leap tall structures in one of Chrysler’s new cars with Garmin in-dash GPS hardware, but at least you’ll be able to see them. 3D buildings and terrain are among the fresh features in the navigators, along with a new UI, trip planner, improved junction view (by a factor of 25), and enhanced routing. The nav company is one of the cogs in Chrysler’s Uconnect service, which will roll out in four models next year: the Dodge Journey, Charger and Dart along with Chrysler’s 300. Other players in the service are SiriusXM, which provides weather info and entertainment; and Sprint, which shoulders the in-car data workload through its cellular service. Lest you think that all this infotainment will distract you right into the ditch, worry not — most of the controls are voice activated. If you want a beaming dealer to getcha into one of the new models, the PR is after the break.

Continue reading Garmin does new in-dash navigation tricks, steers 2013 Dodge and Chrysler models

Filed under: GPS, Transportation

Garmin does new in-dash navigation tricks, steers 2013 Dodge and Chrysler models originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 07:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Garmin announced at IFA today that it’s gearing up to roll out a set of updates for its smartphone apps on both iOS and Android. These updates will be adding a number of helpful tools for Garmin users, including in-depth details on public transportation routes and support for Google Street View. Get ready to hand over some extra cash if you want these features though, because some of them will only be offered as in-app purchases

It would seem that Garmin’s “Urban Guidance” system is the main star of these updates. After these updates hit, the app will begin considering various public transportation routes – including water taxis – when trying to plot the most efficient pedestrian route. If public transportation is suggested as part of your route, the app can guide you to where you need to be on foot, and you can even look up schedules and stops to know precisely where you need to hop on and off. To make things easier, the update will also allow for color-coded public transportation routes, matching the transportation lines in your city – something that will undoubtedly be appreciated by tourists.

Urban Guidance will be coming to StreetPilot Onboard for iPhone and NAVIGON for iPhone and Android. You won’t be getting it for free, however, as it will cost $4.99 as an in-app purchase. Those who act quick after the update hits can get the feature on the cheap though, with Garmin bringing the price down to $2.99 for its first two weeks of availability.

Next up we have Garmin’s “Last Mile Navigation” feature, which gives users a “streamlined navigation experience when continuing by foot after parking the car.” When you’re getting close to your destination, the feature will suggest nearby parking lots and structures for you to park in. After you’ve picked one and parked your car, the app will switch to pedestrian navigation mode, saving the location of your car so you can easily find it once you’re ready to leave again. Android users should already be familiar with this feature, as it’s currently available in their version of NAVIGON. It’ll be coming to NAVIGON for iPhone with this update, but sadly it will be giving StreetPilot Onboard a pass for the time being.

Finally, we come to the integration of Google Street View and Panorama View 3D, which are both being included to give users a better understanding of their surroundings. Features like these will obviously come in handy when visiting an unfamiliar face, as Google Street View can show you what the area surrounding your destination looks like. Both of these features are already available in NAVIGON for Android and iPhone, and will be added to StreetPilot Onboard once these updates land. Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay extra for Panorama View 3D, which Garmin is charging $9.99 for.

We don’t have a solid release date for these updates yet. In its announcement, Garmin only said that they would be coming in fall 2012, so they should be arriving relatively soon. Keep it tuned here to SlashGear and we’ll have more information for you once Garmin releases it.

Garmin smartphone apps getting public transportation features soon is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The Garmin Forerunner 10 is a simple GPS watch that provides its wearer with information on how far and fast they have run. The gadget stores the data from your run so that you can upload and analyze it later on Garmin Connect. The Garmin Forerunner 10 is also water-resistant for up to 50-meter underwater. Its rechargeable battery provides enough juice for up to 5-hour of operating time in “training mode” or up to five weeks in “power-save mode”. The Garmin Forerunner 10 GPS watch retails for a suggested retail price of $129.99. Video after the jump.

[Slashgear]

GPS watches are great to track your runs, but most of them are kind of bulky. This new lightweight series from Garmin isn’t aimed at triathletes. It’s made to compete with some of the watches from Nike and Polar, which make it dead simple to track your runs.

The Garmin Forerunner 10 offers training features like a virtual pacer and auto pause settings, as well as a run/walk setting for beginning runners. The display shows the amount of calories burned, speed, distance and time. It will come in a few bright and bold colors, including apple green and cotton candy pink, as well as basic black, and it’s definitely less bulky than many of the other models on the market today.

Garmin usually offers expensive training watches, with a lot of features that most people don’t need. Nike+ is becoming widely adopted, so this $129(USD) watch hopes to offer a reasonably-priced alternative when it’s released this Fall.

[via TechCrunch]