Garmin Nuvi 1490TV - Yes TV on the Garmin - Just Not in US

Garmin announced that they are launching the Nuvi 1490TV, a widescreen GPS with built in DVB-T television receiver to grab over the air signals in countries other than the US.... like most of Europe. The idea of jamming a TV receiver into a GPS isn't new, but it's news for Garmin who is adding the capability to a unit that has a lot going for it already. With the 5.0-inch widescreen, text to speech, and Bluetooth handsfree capabilities it starts to feel high end.

Watching TV while Driving down the motorway? Not quite - Garmin staved off those plans by configuring the unit to not show TV while moving. Hey, it's a GPS, it should know this type of stuff.

It goes on sale in the Spring and will cost 299 Euro or about $425.

Full press release below.......

Stay Close to the Action Anywhere, Anytime With Garmin's nüvi 1490TV

SOUTHAMPTON, England, January 21/PRNewswire/ --

Garmin(R) today announced the nüvi(R) 1490TV a personal navigation device that combines cutting edge Pan-European navigation features with DVB-T digital terrestrial TV and radio.

Using the DVB-T digital television standard, the nüvi can pick up freeview digital TV and radio content from over 14 countries across Europe. In the UK there are over 50 digital TV channels and 24 digital radio stations including programmes from digital content providers such as the BBC, ITV, SKY, Film4 and Five to name a few.

At the core of the device is an easy to use sat nav that has all the usual features you would find in a top of the range Garmin nüvi, but with the addition of the DVB -T digital tuner, users can keep in touch with all the digital TV content available over the airwaves.

"The nüvi 1490TV is the answer for those who want to keep in touch with the latest sporting events, soaps or even cookery shows while following TV recipes in the kitchen." said Colin Lee, Garmin's Automotive Product Manager. "The nüvi's 5 inch screen and mount is just the right size to place anywhere in the home, caravan or car and is ideal for people from parents waiting to pick up the kids from school to taxi drivers waiting for fares."

Any worries that the driver might keep the TV on while driving have been safeguarded against by Garmin engineers building in a safety feature that switches off the TV on the nüvi 1490TV and only allows the navigation when the car is moving.

The nüvi 1490TV features a bright, 5 inch colour touchscreen display, ensuring any picture is bright and colourful, great for sporting events such as the forthcoming FIFA World Cup as you won't have to miss any of games with this pocket sized TV. It also doubles up as a great picture viewer (with photo navigation capability).

The nüvi 1490TV has built-in stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone output, a long life lithium-ion battery, composite video input for external reversing camera (not supplied), a built-in aerial for high DVB-T signal strength areas and two magnetic dipole aerials for low signal areas.

The nüvi 1490TV comes pre-programmed with highly detailed road maps of Europe, free premium traffic updates, safety camera warnings, a database with over two million Points of Interest (POI's) featuring hotels, attractions, fuel stations and more, Garmin's 'Where am I' safety feature showing your precise location, nearest junction, hospital, police station and breakdown service contact details. Also turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions guiding drivers to their destination, announcing streets by name along the way. If they miss a turn, the nüvi automatically recalculates a route and gets them back on track.

You can also have hands-free phone calls, the nüvi 1490TV can be paired with compatible phones using Bluetooth wireless technology. Users can find and dial phone numbers (specifically supported phones can even access their history log of received, missed and dialled calls) or nüvi's POI database (hotels, restaurants, stores and more).

The nüvi 1490TV will be available across Europe in early April 2010 at GBP299/EUR299. Visit http://www.garmin.co.uk for more information.

So that the nüvi 1490TV can be connected to existing aerial sockets within the home a 'standard aerial socket to plug adaptor' will be available in April. Price TBC

Countries where DVB-T Digital TV is available: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom.2 Subject to reception and digital and coverage area.3 Subject to country/region.

Additional information:

At the end of 2009, Garmin undertook a market survey of its customers and asked a number of questions regarding the nüvi 1490TV. Most interestingly the top 5 answers to the following two questions help to position the new sat nav.

Q1: Where would you use a portable sat nav digital TV?

January 21, 2010

Garmin Nuvi 1490TV - Yes TV on the Garmin - Just Not in US