Go Garmin!

Popular Mechanics just concluded its first-ever consumer brand survey to determine what consumer brands their readers preferred. Twenty-nine different product categories were included, with a minimum of five brand choices in each category.  Over 7,000 readers voted, and thanks to you, we were chosen the favorite GPS brand. Thank You!

As most Garmin customers know, we serve a plethora of markets and we do our best to give each of these markets the specialized attention it deserves. We strive to develop revolutionary products with features that are specific to that market. One of the many ways we do this is by having employees design, create, build and market products for industries they're passionate about. Forerunners are developed by runners, Zumos by motorcycle riders, chartplotters by boaters, avionics by pilots -- I could keep going, but I'm sure you get the idea. This Popular Mechanics award helps reiterate that we're on the right path, but don't worry, we won't rest on our laurels. We're determined to continue building products that make life a little easier and more enjoyable for our customers.

Ask Garmin: Updating your nüvi, zūmo or GPSMAP software

Some customers have asked us to follow-up about last week's mandatory software update decree, and they've specifically asked if all the new software has been released. The answer is a resounding YES! We have free software updates available for the nüvi 7x5 series, nüvi 800 series, nüvi 8x5 series, zūmo 660, GPSMAP 620 and GPSMAP 640. Offering free software is something we regularly do and we've always recommend you update your GPS when new free software is available. However, last week was atypical because the software update was mandatory. If you own one of the GPS devices listed above and haven't experienced any problems acquiring a GPS signal, you still need to do the free software update. It's free and easy to do. All you need to do is visit our WebUpdater site, download the free WebUpdater application, follow the screen prompts, and it will do everything else for you.  

Learn your Garmin with the Garmin Learning Center

Have you ever wanted to see a Garmin product in action before you buy it? Or, maybe you're interested in tips and tricks about a device you already own? How about expanding your overall GPS knowledge?  If any of these scenarios sound familiar, the online Garmin Learning Center is for you. The Learning Center is the newest addition to Garmin.com, and is quickly becoming a popular place to visit because it's a one-stop resource for learning about Garmin products and all things GPS. Once you visit this site, you can watch short video snippets to learn more about your GPS. So far, the site features videos for the Forerunner 405, Edge 705, Approach G5 and Marine network. More videos will be coming soon, so you'll want to check back often.

Make the most of your Garmin with one-click

Have you ever noticed that it’s often the behind-the-scenes technologies that get little fanfare yet quietly catapult consumer electronics forward in terms of ease-of-use?

We think you’ll find the myGarmin Agent is that type of advancement. You’ll never see it on the front page of a newspaper, but we think you’re really going to like it because it makes interfacing with your Garmin products much easier. The myGarmin Agent works with all of Garmin’s newer devices and tells you when a Garmin device is plugged in to your computer, allowing one-click access to the new myDashboard at my.garmin.com.

With the myGarmin Agent installed on your computer, you will see a message in the lower right corner of your screen whenever you connect a Garmin device. Clicking the message box takes you to the myDashboard page the starting point for one-click software updates, map updates, and much more! You can also access the myDashboard page at any time by double-clicking the myGarmin Agent icon in your system tray.

The myGarmin Agent is unobtrusive so it can sit on your computer and you’ll never know it’s there until you need it. It’s the new starting place for all of your Garmin needs and gives you one-click access to almost everything you need for your Garmin, so download it today.

Father's Day gift ideas: The gift of navigation

Father's Day is less than one week away, and like many of you, I've just started to brainstorm what I'm giving my wonderful Dad. Since this holiday seems to sneak up on a lot of people, we decided to feature gift ideas so that you can find a gift that is tailor-made for your dear 'ole Dad. And if you haven't figured it out by now, one of the best things about this time of the year is that there are always sales so you can give Dad a priceless gift without breaking the bank. 

The USA Today posted their top five GPS devices under $200, and Garmin was the only company to make the list twice. The nüvi 265T and nüvi 205 were named as great sub-$200 gifts, and we agree with their choices.  Either the nüvi 265T or 205 will easily get you from point A to B, but the 265T does so with a little extra flair. The 265T comes with free, lifetime real-time traffic updates that will route Dad around the traffic before getting stuck in it. Plus, it has Bluetooth capability so Dad can pair his phone to the GPS and safely talk on the phone without having to hold the handset to his ear.

If you want to go the extra mile and personalize the nuvi before you give it to Dad, you can take advantage of the photo navigation feature on the 265T and 205. Load pictures of some of Dad's favorite spots and let Dad navigate to them via the picture. While you're at it, you can personalize it even further by adding icons from the Garmin Garage. From golf carts to airplanes, Dad will be cruisin' in style.

Explore a new city like the locals...on foot

The team at GPS Tracklog posted their review of cityXplorer today. The long story short is that they think it's a winner. According to them, "...I had some nervousness about leaving my car behind and venturing into the city via MARTA (Atlanta's metro system), with only a nuvi to guide me. It turns out that my fears were misplaced. Quite simply, cityXplorer rocks."  We couldn't agree more!

cityXplorer is one of the newest features for the nuvi product line and it's ideal if you're walking a city. If you're planning to be in an unfamiliar city or if you're taking a stay-cation and exploring parts of your city you don't know, cityXplorer is for you! The maps show you detailed roads and points of interest and street directions that let you use public transportation. Now you'll know where to walk, where to catch the bus, subway, tram or other major transportation, and an ETA on how long it will take you to get there. cityXplorer is available for most major U.S. and European cities, and you can download most cities for less than $10. Check out GPS Tracklog to read more about someone who put cityXplorer through its paces.

my.Garmin.com: Get the latest and greatest for your GPS

We're at it again. We're figuring out ways to make your life easier, and we think we have another winner. This time we've created something for the GPS device you already own -- my.Garmin.com is a site where you can manage all there is to manage about your GPS. From registering your Garmin to downloading new maps to learning more about your specific GPS, my.Garmin.com is designed to be a helpful resource 24/7.

So, here's what you should do...
1. Visit http://my.Garmin.com.
2. Click on the second tab, myDashboard and follow the screen prompts
3. Connect your GPS to your computer through the USB port.
4. Be prepared to learn more about your GPS than you ever thought possible from one central location.

As soon as my.Garmin recognizes that a GPS device is connected to the computer, you can click on the second tab, myDashboard, and you'll see a picture of your devcie along with helpful information about your GPS like map updates and free software updates. myGarmin is completely tailored to you and your GPS, so take some time to explore and discover everything there is to know about your Garmin.

What to get Dads and Grads

Dads and Grads season is here, and hardworking dads and graduates deserve something cool for their big day. Forget about the pen and pencil set, it's time to think high-tech. If you're not sure if you should get your dad or grad a GPS for their car, golf cart, dog, wrist, boat, plane, motorcycle or bike, you're in luck. Editors all over the world are compiling and publishing lists of their favorite devices so you can pick the perfect gift. So far, PC Mag has named the nüvi as a top pick for graduates that are bound to get lost as they travel between home and college. According to PC Mag, one of the great things about the nüvi is that even entry-level models "offers a lot of bang for the buck and are excellent choices for the budget conscious."  The Approach G5 has also been make making many Father's Day gift guide lists because it will help dad improve his golf game and give him the ultimate competitive edge. Check our site for more great gift ideas.

My-Cast OneLook: Intuitive Weather App for the iPhone

Our friends at Digital Cyclone (a Garmin subsidiary) have just launched My-Cast OneLook for the iPhone. If you're a weather junkie like this blogger or you want to be able to access reliable weather data on your phone 24/7, this iPhone app is for you. My-Cast OneLook is the iPhone's most concise weather app and it gives you a complete weather snapshot for anywhere in the U.S.:

    * Current conditions, hourly and extended forecasts
    * Animated NEXRAD radar
    * Cloud imagery
    * StormWatch that will tell you about watches, warnings and advisories from the National Weather Service
    * Almanac data plotted in relation to forecast

Locations are remembered for quick recall.

Download today from iTunes!

CTIA eyes the nuvifone

We're here in sunny Las Vegas and are ready to go for the opening day of CTIA. Even though the show doesn't officially open for another 30 minutes, people are already stopping by the Garmin-Asus booth and asking about the nuvifone G60 and M20. If you're unable to visit the show, you can visit our online press kit to get a glimpse of what we'll be talking about while we're here. CTIA will be one of the first times we'll be demonstrating Ciao!, our proprietary system that is only available on the nuvifone and it aggregates content from LBS providers like Buddy Beacon and GyPSii. Check back later for more news from CTIA.

Garmin Mobile XT: a nüvi on your smartphone

The team at Symbian-Guru.com has posted a new review and videos of Garmin Mobile XT.  If you're tired of paying monthly fees to access a navigation application on your smartphone, Garmin Mobile XT is for you.  Garmin Mobile XT turns nearly any smartphone into a nüvi-like navigator. This software application comes on an SD card, and once you slide the card into your phone it will automatically install so that you can begin driving with Garmin navigation. In addition to turn-by-turn voice prompts for millions of locations in North America or Europe, Garmin Mobile XT includes real-time traffic info, fuel prices, weather, hotel discounts and more. Check out these Symbian-Guru videos or visit the Garmin Mobile XT mini-site to learn more.

Nominate your favorite GPS device

It's time to get out and vote! Engadget.com is preparing for their 2008 awards and they want to hear about your favorite GPS device. Everyone who has voted so far seems to lean towards automotive devices, but we can't see any reason why you can't nominate a non-automotive device if that's your favorite. Regardless of how you decide to vote, keep in mind that they only want nominations for those products that hit store shelves in 2008. This means you have to narrow down your choice to one of 25-or-so Garmin products: nüvi 2x5, 500, 7x5, and 800 series; Colorado series; Oregon series; Forerunner 405; and Garmin Mobile PC. From where this blogger is sitting, that's more then enough to choose from! Cast your ballot here.

GRMN's Fourth Quarter Results

Garmin reported its fourth quarter results today.  Click here for the report and join the conference call at 11:00 a.m ET here.

nüvifone: Phones for the Location-Based Life

Today is the last day of Mobile World Congress and it's been a whirlwind.  From meetings with carriers to press interviews, the Garmin-Asus booth has been a beehive of activity. One of the great things about the show this year is that it's the first time the public has had a chance to press buttons on a nüvifone and see how we integrate location-based information compared to others. From the beginning we've said the nüvifone series would integrate location in a new way, but "integrate" is an overused word in marketing-speak and therefore makes it difficult to describe the nüvifone experience until actually trying the phone. For example, if you open a contact's name on a nüvifone, you'll have three primary options: call, text and go.  The call and text choices are traditional options found on most phones, but if you press "go" it launches the navigation screen and you'll be navigating to the contact's address.  Another example is having the nüvifone's location integrated with the calendar. You can find an event in the area via the "upcoming events" option, then add it to the calendar with the click of a button. When it's time to attend the event, your calendar will prompt you of the event and then you can navigate to the event by touching a button on the calendar page. The nüvifone product line is reinventing how phones do navigation and they truly are phones for the location-based life.

Creating nuvifone Chaos in Catalonia

We’re here at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and the nüvifones have been a huge hit.  Since the G60 and M20 are two of the most anticipated products at the show, the booth has been busy all day as people stop by to test them.  Also new to the show is our co-branded Garmin-Asus booth.  This is the first time we’ve exhibited together and as the pictures will show, our booth is bright and colorful. If you’re not able to attend the show, you can visit our online press kit here and make sure you stop back by the blog because we’ll be giving updates all week.

See the Garmin-Asus nüvifone M20 and G60 in Barcelona

We're just a few days away from the world's largest cell phone show, Mobile World Congress, and today Garmin-Asus unveiled the products that will be on display. The brand new nüvifone M20 and newly renamed nüvifone G60 will take center stage at the Garmin-Asus booth, Hall 7 #7C37.  If you're wondering what sets the Garmin-Asus nüvifone series apart from other smartphones on today's market, you'll discover the difference as soon as you stop by our booth and test a M20 or G60.  The nüvifone series has LBS at its core and location information is added to everyday applications including email, SMS, photo sharing, social networking and more in order to enhance applications and share location information with others. Check out the new Garmin-Asus site for more info, or even better yet, come visit the Garmin-Asus booth at MWC!

Garmin-Asus Launches New Era in Location-Based Smartphones

It's an historic day here at Garmin.  Today, we've formally aligned ourselves with ASUSTeK to design, manufacture, and market a wide range of location-centric nuvifones.  We made the announcement in Taiwan, and you can read the full press release here, and see our brand-spanking new website here.  We'll also host a webcast at 11am ET with Garmin's COO, Cliff Pemble, and CFO, Kevin Rauckman. 

  We'll be exhibiting as Garmin-Asus at Barcelona's Mobile World Congress, which begins on February 16.  Stay tuned for many more exciting developments!

Garmin Mobile PC Accolades

This one is for all the savvy business travelers -- those who know how to get through the airport's TSA screening in one minute or less, and that includes removing your laptop from your briefcase and putting your shoes back on.  Since you're already lugging your laptop around the country, we think it's time you get some extra mileage out of it and Garmin Mobile PC can help you do that. The experts at PC Magazine just posted a review of Garmin Mobile PC and they gave it four out of five stars. According to them, "for those planning an upcoming road trip who don't want to spend a lot, the Garmin Mobile PC is a solid solution."  Garmin Moible PC is the $99 answer to anyone who wants Garmin navigation on their laptop. Garmin Mobile PC is plug-n-play. After you insert the set-up DVD into your laptop the program will automatically install, and you'll soon see our famous and easy-to-use "where to?" and "view map" interface. Garmin Mobile PC also comes with a free subscription to Garmin Online, so you'll have one-click access to weather information, hotel pricing from hotels.com, flight status, and fuel prices. PC Mag summed it up well when they said, "for those who want a large-screen GPS—and have the room to keep your laptop on the front seat next to you—Garmin Mobile PC is an inexpensive alternative to a dedicated GPS." If you want to learn more, read PC Mag's full review or watch our demo.

Garmin Mobile PC at your fingertips

If you're trying to decide if you should put a GPS or mini notebook on your holiday wish list, you're in luck. Fujitsu announced a new mini notebook today, the LifeBook U820 mini notebook, and it comes preloaded with Garmin Mobile PC. We're excited about this announcement for numerous reasons. First, it's the  first mini notebook to be preloaded with Garmin Mobile PC. Second, Garmin Mobile PC has received rave reviews by those who have tested it so we know future mini notebook customers are going to be amazed at its features. And last, but definitely not least, it's a great twofer for you -- an all-in-one computer and GPS.

If you're not familiar with Garmin Mobile PC, you can essentially think of it as a

high-end nüvi on your laptop. Just like nüvi, Garmin Mobile PC gives turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions to millions of points of interest. It also has free access to Garmin Online so you have dynamic information at your fingertips like up-to-date weather, gas prices, flight information, and hotel ratings and price. Another cool feature of Garmin Mobile PC (that isn't on nüvi) is the ability to navigate to your Outlook contacts. This feature is great when you're already on the go and want to navigate to a contact's address with one click, rather than typing in an address. We've created a great online demo so you can you see Garmin Mobile PC in action here.