Olathe, Kan. – AT&T will provide wireless service for a new Garmin Nuvi 1690 – one of the first
Internet-connected portable GPS devices from a leading brand to offer free
wireless service for several years.
Due in the U.S. in the fourth quarter at a suggested price of $499,
the Garmin Nuvi 1690 includes a wireless modem and will provide two free years
of service through AT&T. Thereafter wireless service is $5 per month.
The broadband connection lets users access Google Local search
and other information from the personal navigation device (PND) that also
offers Bluetooth, so users can receive and place calls directly from the Nuvi
1690 when it is paired with a wireless phone.
The Nuvi 1690, announced earlier this month, also provides
wireless access to traffic, weather, fuel prices, movie listings, flight status,
local events and white-page telephone listings. It also connects users to a
Garmin social-networking system called Ciao!
Glen Lurie, president of AT&T emerging devices and resale,
said AT&T service in the PND delivers “an exciting new breed of timely
wireless data, helping redefine on-the-go navigation for consumers and keeping
them connected and informed.”
The Garmin Nuvi 1690 comes preloaded with maps of North America.
It offers an EcoRoute feature that lets users choose the most fuel-efficient route
to a destination and a lane-assist feature for displaying the proper lane to
enter for upcoming turns. Garmin says its Bluetooth feature works with more
than 200 phones.
