It’s no secret that we’re big fans of GPS devices that deliver real time traffic data, but Garmin’s announcement today that its nuvi 1690 will release this fall is especially compelling. Although the device will carry a steep initial MSRP of $499, it comes bundled with two years of Garmin’s nuLink service (a $120 value). The nuLink service provides a slew of features, including real time traffic data and re-routing, local weather updates, low price gasoline search, local event and movie times, and access to Google’s local search, amongst several others. The nuLink service will access information via AT&T’s wireless network and thus only be available at those locations in which there is AT&T wireless coverage.
The nuvi 1690 itself has a 4.3″ color touchscreen display, bluetooth capability, lane assist technology, and an EcoRoute mode which calculates the most fuel efficient route by which to travel. It will be released in both North American and European versions.
It’s going to be very interesting to see if the dynamics of traffic flow will change as real time traffic services and the devices that use them gain acceptance amongst vast swaths of the population. It’s frustrating to see jammed traffic on a road knowing that on the next road over traffic is flowing freely, yet because people don’t have this important and timely information, traffic builds and spirals out of control. Devices like the Garmin nuvi 1690 and others that are fed data collected by other drivers and dynamically adjust to these real world, real time driving conditions could significantly ease swelling traffic before it jams the entire road transit system.
Related posts:
Posted in 
Tags: 
[...] HD Radio and Real Time Traffic, faces stiff competition from market incumbents like Garmin, the features and price point of the T43H are worth strict consideration from those shopping in [...]