The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Garmin(R) Builds a Bluetooth(R) GPS Sensor for Mobile Devices

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2005 -- Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. , today introduced the GPS 10(TM), a sensor that receives location data from the Global Positioning System (GPS) and transmits that information to mobile devices enabled with Bluetooth wireless technology. The product made its debut at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show and will be displayed at the company's booth (#31250).

The GPS 10 is compact (WxHxD: 1.8" x 3.5" x 0.8") and lightweight (2.8 oz.). It integrates a 12-parallel channel, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver and a Bluetooth transceiver to provide location data to a variety of mobile devices. The GPS 10 has a magnetic base and is waterproof, so it can be mounted inside or outside a vehicle. The sensor has an internal lithium-ion battery and the Deluxe package includes a 12-volt adapter, allowing the GPS 10 to run on its own power for up to 10 hours or on the vehicle's power.

"We are excited to offer consumers a cost-effective GPS sensor, mapping and navigation package that will turn a Bluetooth-enabled PDA or mobile PC into a premium automotive navigation device," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's director of marketing. "The GPS 10 Deluxe package includes our exclusive MapSource(R) City Select(R) mapping data and two intuitive applications to deliver turn-by-turn navigation on a host of mobile devices with Bluetooth connectivity."

Initially, the GPS 10 will communicate with Windows Mobile(TM)-based Pocket PCs, as well as laptops and tablet PCs that run on the Windows(R) OS.

The GPS 10 Deluxe package includes MapSource City Select North America mapping software, which offers more than 5 million points of interest and detailed street-level mapping of the entire U.S. and metropolitan Canada.

It is also bundled with two easy-to-use applications for mobile navigation, depending on the device.

First, Garmin provides its Que(TM) navigation application for handheld devices. This application delivers location awareness, address and points-of- interest lookup features, electronic mapping, automatic route generation, configurable road/area avoidance, off-route recalculation, and turn-by-turn directions with voice prompts. Another key capability within the Que application is the ability to navigate to an address stored within the Contacts database.

Second, Garmin's nRoute(TM) application is provided for mobile PC users. This application displays City Select map data along with advanced find, routing and voice guidance functions for seamless navigation.

Joining the GPS 18(TM) in Garmin's family of GPS modules for mobile devices, the GPS 10 Deluxe with Bluetooth technology is expected to be available in January 2005 for $267.85 (MSRP).

Garmin International Inc. is a member of the Garmin Ltd. 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 http://www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin, MapSource and City Select are registered trademarks, and GPS 10, Que, nRoute and GPS 18 are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.