CES 2008: Garmin Mobile PC

Garmin has also released a PC software package that allows users to take that laptop of yours and turn it into a Garmin navigation device. Don't need the Garmin GPS 20X sensor? Use your old Garmin eTrex lying around with the software only version. The laptop will give you turn-by-turn directions, and will include some pretty cool PC-only features called "Route Shaping features".

Users can select specific roads they want to travel and customize their route to avoid certain roads and geographic areas. (Can I get this on my Nuvi!?!?!?!?!)

Drivers wanting to keep track of their previous route can utilize the track log feature and see an electronic bread crumb trail that shows exactly where they traveled. Garmin Mobile PC also includes a trip computer automatically records trip data.

"Garmin Mobile PC gives travelers an easy and inexpensive way to get more from a device they already own -- their laptop," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales. "Plus, it offers many of the same real-time features found on high-end portable GPS devices like weather and fuel price information."

Garmin Mobile PC features the same easy-to-use "Where to?" and "View map" interface found on the Garmin nuvi® and StreetPilot®. With a few clicks, customers can quickly search and route to addresses or nearly six million points of interest like restaurants, hotels, attractions, gas stations and more. In addition, customers can navigate to Outlook contacts stored on their laptop.

Garmin Mobile PC is available in two configurations -- a software only package and a bundle with software and Garmin's new GPS 20x sensor. The software only version is compatible with broadband modems, as well as internal or third-party GPS receivers that provide the industry standard NMEA GPS data via serial or Bluetooth connections. The bundled version includes the new GPS 20x, a high sensitivity GPS sensor with a USB connection. The lightweight GPS 20x has non-skid pads for dash mounting and is less than two inches in length.

Garmin Mobile PC offers much more than traditional trip planning. Users can use their laptop to receive turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions to their destination, similar to Garmin's traditional portable navigation devices. If a turn is missed along the way, Garmin Mobile PC will automatically recalculate the route and get them back on track.

Thanks to the route shaping feature, users can select specific roads they want to travel and customize their route to avoid certain roads and geographic areas. Drivers wanting to keep track of their previous route can utilize the track log feature and see an electronic bread crumb trail that shows exactly where they traveled. Garmin Mobile PC also includes a trip computer automatically records trip data.

Garmin Mobile PC also provides free access to Garmin Online services. This real-time, internet data service simplifies trip planning by providing live weather, flight status, hotel rates (U.S. only), fuel prices (U.S. only) and safety camera data (Europe only, with subscription).

The Garmin Mobile PC with GPS 20x bundle will be available in April for a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $99.99. The software only version of Garmin Mobile PC is expected to be available for a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $59.99.

January 3, 2008

CES 2008: Garmin Mobile PC