Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
Garmin Mobile(TM) 20: Smart Navigation for Your Smartphone
OLATHE, Kan., Sept. 12 / -- Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ:GRMN), today announced that Garmin Mobile 20 -- an automotive navigation system that delivers Garmin's voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions using Bluetooth wireless technology on compatible smartphones -- will be on display at CTIA in Los Angeles from September 12-14, 2006.
"Garmin Mobile 20 is a true plug-and-play solution for customers wanting turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions on their smartphone," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing. "One of the many strengths of Garmin Mobile 20 is its versatility. It supports over 50 smartphones, so customers can choose a smartphone that best meets their business and personal needs and then turn it into a Garmin GPS navigator.
"Garmin Mobile 20 helps drivers navigate to specific street addresses or millions of points of interest (POI) with confidence thanks to features such as voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions, a 3D moving map on the phone's display, and automatic calculation of a new route if a driver misses a turn. Garmin Mobile 20 customers will have free access to dynamic information -- such as real-time traffic, weather, and gas prices - via Garmin Online(TM), which is accessed through the smartphone's wireless data service.
The real-time traffic feature identifies accidents, road construction, or other incidents affecting traffic. The traffic information is displayed in a list format and graphically represented as icons on the navigation map. The severity of the delay - low, medium, or high impact -- is also displayed. Garmin Mobile 20's traffic information is provided by Traffic.com.
Garmin Online's fuel locator allows users to find nearby gas stations with the least expensive fuel. Helpful information such as the filling station's name, fuel price, type of fuel (regular, mid-grade, premium, or diesel), and distance to the station are prominently displayed so consumers may make wise fuel purchase decisions. Pricing information is based on the station's recent credit card transactions. These credit card transactions are tracked and aggregated by OPIS, the world's most comprehensive source for petroleum pricing.
The current weather conditions and five-day forecast may also be accessed through Garmin Online. This feature allows customers to see weather at their current location or anywhere in North America. Weather information is provided by Custom Weather.
In addition, Garmin Mobile 20 includes PeerPoints(TM), a powerful short message service (SMS) feature that lets users send their position or information about a POI to other phones. This unique position reporting feature helps users keep track of their friends and family, and navigate to them with the touch of a button.
The Garmin Mobile 20 package includes a datacard with preloaded maps of North America or a European region, and the GPS 20SM(TM), a smartphone mount designed to accommodate a smartphone of nearly any size. When the smartphone is cradled into the GPS 20SM phone mount, the smartphone will have the same comprehensive navigation features found on Garmin's other personal navigation devices. In addition to having a built-in high sensitivity GPS receiver, the GPS 20SM also serves as a Bluetooth hands-free calling kit, phone charger, and phone cradle. The GPS 20SM is easily mounted to an automobile's windshield with a built-in suction-cup mount.
The Garmin Mobile 20 package will be available in November 2006 for a suggested retail price of $299. For a complete list of compatible smartphones or to purchase Garmin Mobile 20, visit the Garmin Mobile Buyer's Guide, www.garmin.com/mobilephones .
Garmin International Inc. is a member of the Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ:GRMN) group of companies, which designs and manufactures navigation, communication and information devices -- most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin is a leader in the general aviation and consumer GPS markets and its products serve aviation, marine, outdoor recreation, automotive, wireless and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200.
CONTACT: Ted Gartner or Jessica Myers, both of Garmin International Inc., +1-913-397-8200, media.relations@garmin.com
Web site: http://www.garmin.com/
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