Garmin Nuvi 680

As we previously mentioned in November, Garmin is launching the Nuvi 680, a beefed up Nuvi 660 with SPOT technology that has access to MSN direct information like traffic, gas, weather and movie times and locations (see images after the jump). The unit will also get traffic feeds through MSN. In looking at the display, it looks like Garmin is up-versioning the capabilities of the traffic feature, including comments about delays. It will be interesting to see this play out as the MSN Direct traffic is through Traffic.com, which was recently acquired by NAVTEQ, and not Inrix, the data supplier of TMC traffic. The unit gets 12 months of MSN service for free with the purchase of the unit. Garmin is launching the Nuvi 680 at the CES 2007 show along with a whole bunch of new GPS units.

UPDATE: I have posted my Review of the Nuvi 680

"Our personal navigation devices have set the standard for innovation and elegance, and the MSN Direct network gives the nuvi and StreetPilot line a whole new set of capabilities," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales. "Whether you're on your daily commute or traveling in an unfamiliar city, the nuvi 680 and the StreetPilot c580 with MSN Direct offer features that simply aren't available anywhere else."

"We've extended MSN Direct services to support navigation devices, and we are pleased to now offer this robust information service on Garmin products," said Eric Lang, general manager of the Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) initiative at Microsoft Corp. "Our data is location tagged and constantly updated so it's highly relevant for mobile devices. We believe the addition of our MSN Direct content will enhance Garmin's already strong product line."

The nuvi 680 and StreetPilot c580 receive up-to-date traffic incident and flow information for major cities across the United States -- time-saving information that drivers will find valuable even when they know how to find their destination. Once a motorist programs a destination into the device, MSN Direct traffic data helps select a route that avoids traffic accidents, road closures, and construction. If conditions change during the trip, the nuvi 680 and StreetPilot c580 will automatically alter the route to minimize trip time.

MSN Direct-enabled nuvis and StreetPilots also receive gas price data from over 100,000 gas stations across the nation. Drivers will always know where to get the best prices -- and save time and fuel by using their unit to navigate directly to the station of their choice. See screenshot to the right of the StreetPilot 580.

Thanks to the MSN Direct weather capabilities, travelers will know whether to pack an umbrella or sunglasses. The nuvi 680 and StreetPilot c580 feature current weather conditions (including high/low/current temperatures, chances of precipitation, humidity, pressure, wind, and weather alerts) as well as three day weather forecasts -- for their current location or around the country.

The nuvi 680 and the StreetPilot c580 know how to have fun as well -- MSN Direct sends movie show times for area theaters to the nuvi 680 and StreetPilot c580. Users can search for movies by title or by theater -- and then get show times and driving directions. See the StreetPilot C580 screenshot to the right.

The two MSN Direct-enabled navigators also include many of the same features available in other premium Garmin personal navigation devices. The nuvi 680 features a super-bright 4.3-inch touchscreen, Garmin's hallmark easy- to-use interface, travel and entertainment capabilities, spoken street names, pre-loaded maps of North America, a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, Bluetooth hands-free calling capability, an FM transmitter to play voice prompts and entertainment over a car stereo, and an elegant design.

Garmin devices receive MSN Direct service through the integrated vehicle power cable. MSN Direct services 120 markets in all 50 states, with 78 of those markets receiving dynamic traffic data. Twelve months of free MSN Direct service is included with the purchase of the nuvi 680 and StreetPilot c580, and owners can re-subscribe for $49.95 a year or $129.95 for the lifetime of the product.

More at Garmin and Amazon

Get a whole lot more information on the Garmin Nuvi 680.

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