Garmin, BMW Expand GPS Navigation Line
Nov 3, 2008 - GPS World
Garmin and automotive partner BMW have added two new GPS units to their BMW Portable Navigation Systems product line, expanding from the customized Nüvi 360s BMW began offering early this year.
The BMW Portable Navigation System Plus and Portable Navigation System Pro both offer a high-resolution touch screen — the companies didn't offer specs, but it appears to be a 4.3-inch screen — as well as Bluetooth and an MP3 player. In newer car models, BMW 1 series and BMW 3 series vehicles manufactured from September 2007 and later, the turn-by-turn navigation directions are relayed via the vehicle's sound system; entertainment audio is muted when navigation commands are given, according to the companies.
In addition to the features on the Portable Navigation System Plus, the Pro system also has voice recognition technology and comes preloaded with maps covering 33 European countries (the Plus system comes without preloaded maps). The Pro system has full-menu voice activation, and responds to spoken shortcuts, such as "go home," according to the companies.
Both navigation systems are available from all BMW dealerships across Europe, and the Portable Navigation System Plus is available at dealerships in North America, Europe, and other regions of the world. Customers with the Plus system can purchase separate Secure Digital flash memory cards for regional map data.
The devices can be fitted with specially engineered mounts for the interior of the BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series, and BMW X3 models, integrating with the dashboard and hiding wires, according to the companies. Once parked, the systems can be taken from the car and used in pedestrian mode.
In North America, the Portable Navigation System Plus includes Garmin's FM traffic receiver with FM real-time traffic. The Portable Navigation System Pro incorporates MSN Direct's real-time traffic reports, gas prices, weather conditions, movie times, stock quotes, and current events.
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