Over the years of using and supporting Garmin Nuvis I was totally excited when Garmin offered an Android-based smartphone with a evolution of their famous Nuvi personal navigation device. Their efforts sputtered out and they withdrew to disappointment. What I can not really understand is why they did not repackage their in-hand Android PDN as an add-on app? Apparently they did the iPhone app in a short span and even today do not offer a like Android app. All I can figure is they must have made some sort of really bad exclusive deal with their handset manufacturer Ausus?
October 2010 Press Release -
Schaffhausen, Switzerland and Taipei, Taiwan/October 26, 2010/Business Wire —
Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN) and ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (TAIEX: 2357) today
announced a strategic decision to alter their current co-branded business model for
location-centric mobile handsets. The two companies will not introduce any new cobranded handset models going forward, but will continue to sell and support models that have already been introduced to the market. ASUS will design and manufacture new models of ASUS-branded mobile phones, some of which will include preloaded Garmin navigation and Location Based Service (LBS) applications. Garmin will expand its mobile handset application development and plans to offer navigation and other applications through certain consumer application stores.
Garmin StreetPilot Onboard iPhone app
Recalculating! Garmin has done a course correction with their iPhone app, rolling out a version with onboard maps, eight months after the release of their original StreetPilot app that used offboard maps. Considering AT&T’s reception problems in many areas, it’s probably a smart move.As of this morning, the original offboard version is still available, and it doesn’t look like owners of that app will be getting a free upgrade. The new app debuts with three versions:
- U.S.A. (Lower 49 United States) – $39.99
- North America – $49.99
- UK & Ireland – £44.99
An in-app purchase will offer live traffic and fuel price subscriptions. Here’s the full news release…Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, is proud to announce the Garmin StreetPilot Onboard App for iPhone is now available on the App Store. The Garmin StreetPilot Onboard App offers onboard mapping and navigation, giving drivers and travelers an unparalleled range of industry-leading options for efficient routing, effortless planning and stress-free touring wherever they may go.
“As the GPS world leader serving many markets, Garmin has always focused on offering a wide array of products and letting the consumer choose which bests fits their individual lifestyle,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Garmin’s StreetPilot Onboard navigation for iPhone perfectly complements our existing apps and our iconic line of nüvi® personal navigation devices.”
Garmin StreetPilot Onboard puts the vast preloaded database and intuitive interface of a Garmin nüvi into the iPhone you use everyday – without tapping into your dataplan. With ultra-fast map drawing, panning and zooming, the preloaded maps and Points of Interest offer peace of mind in knowing that wireless coverage and dataplan usage are not required to access maps or calculate routes. So just as with a nüvi, the maps and directions are always there when you need them most – especially when you can’t get cell or Wi-Fi signals or your dataplan is running low.
With advanced navigation features such as lane guidance, junction view, 3D buildings, trip planner, trip computer, Garmin’s “Where Am I?” safety feature, and red-light and speed camera information, Garmin StreetPilot Onboard provides crucial information that a driver needs for daily errands, weekend road trips or family vacations. Users can customize the data on the map screen to show information such as arrival time, time/distance to destination or next via point, direction of travel, or elevation. Searching for Points of Interest has never been easier as the main menu’s search bar and in-category Quick Search seamlessly scan preloaded POIs and provide shortcuts and suggestions based on recent searches. When you want to tap into your dataplan, Google Local Search can offer an open text search of Google POIs. For even more dynamic content, drivers can subscribe to traffic data and fuel-price information.
The following versions of the Garmin StreetPilot Onboard App are now available: U.S.A. (Lower 49 United States for $39.99); all of North America ($49.99); and UK & Ireland (£44.99). All are available from the App Store on iPhone or at www.apple.com/appstore/. Live traffic data and fuel-price information are available via subscription using In-App Purchase. Find details about each version – as well as Garmin’s other apps for a wide variety of activities – athttp://garmin.com/apps.
Since its inception in 1989, Garmin has delivered 85 million GPS enabled devices – far more than any other navigation provider. Garmin’s market breadth in the GPS industry is second to none, having developed innovative products and established a leadership position in each of the markets it serves, including automotive, aviation, marine, fitness, outdoor recreation, tracking, and wireless applications.
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