The Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a very important electronics trade fair, started in Las Vegas a couple of days ago and Garmin, the number one in portable navigation in the US, is of course attending. The company has already announced a lot of news.Nüvi 8x5
The first novelty is the pending introduction of two new nüvi’s, the ‘855’ and the ‘855T’. Both feature a 4.3-inch touch screen, speech control and a lane guide assistant. The 855T contains a few extra features, like MSN Direct services and Bluetooth support for handsfree phoning. In the US the 855 is set to sell for $700, and the 855T will cost $800. Nothing has been disclosed about availability and/or pricing in our regions though.
Zümo 660
Another new device is to be the ‘660’ version of Garmin’s motorcycle and scooter solution, the zümo. For the first time this biker-specific SatNav features a 4.3-inch touch screen. Of course the device is built for heavy-duty use and is waterproof according to the IPX-7 standard. Bluetooth support guarantees communication with compatible helmets and more than 200 mobile phones.The zümo 660 is expected in the US shops in the first quarter of 2009, and it’s set to sell for $800. Once again, we hope to find out more details about availability and prices in Europe soon.
‘Lifetime’ map updates
The last bit of news Garmin have released in Vegas is something we already reported on at the beginning of October 2008. Back then it was only a rumour, but now it’s been confirmed: on the on the 21st of January Garmin is introducing the so-called ‘nüMaps Lifetime’ service. This is a new feature for which the customer pays a one-off fee and is then entitled to download the most recent Naqteq map for his or her SatNav every quarter. “Lifetime”, in this case meaning: for as long as Garmin is supplying maps for that specific device.Prices will vary per region, but for a nüMaps Lifetime City Navigator Europe NT map, the customer will pay $140 in the US.
Yet again, there are no details for Europe yet. We’re eagerly awaiting a decision…
