Will Your Next GPS Have Wifi?
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    17 years
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I have been using my Garminfone for about a month now. This is actually my third GPS phone. The first two were a Pharos GPS Phone 600 with Garmin Mobile XT and more recently the Garmin Nuvifone G60. I must say that I really like this device. I have my T-Mobile SIM card in it, but I stopped using the data plan on it a few days ago. I have been just using wifi and I find it to be quite useful for the Google Local Search, White Pages, Movie Times, etc. That got me to thinking that Garmin (and other GPS manufacturers) really ought to consider adding the ability to use Garmin nüLink!™ services via wifi. Granted, to many people another $5 per month is no big deal, but for others it is just one more recurring expense. I know for me I will often times do some trip planning before I even leave home. So, a wifi equipped Nuvi 1695 would allow me to connect via wifi, get the local fuel prices, check for traffic, and away I go. Granted, this would not be for everybody. Traffic can change quickly, etc., but I think it would still be a good idea to include it. If nothing else, even as a backup to those that do have the monthly subscription.
One other concept that I like from Motorola GPS ties these features into your nearby cell phone via bluetooth and does not require a separate data plan. I do think it would be a good idea for Garmin to look into this concept.
Subscription $$ is their main concern, not customer features
Garmin wants closed 3G access so they can capture subscription revenue from customer's desire to use Google and other data/info sources. Open access wi-fi cripples that business model, which is why I think they will resist expanding wi-fi to all nuvi lines for as long as possible.
Yes, that is the exact issue. In a never-ending race to provide lower-cost units and/or to recover revenue from other sources because their profit margins are so low, they are highly interested in the wireless business model. Subscription fee kickbacks and recurring monthly revenue from the mobile carriers can offset manufacturing costs, at the expense of locking the customer into longer term contracts with early termination fees.
With a free-access WiFi technology, they can't tack on a subscription revenue stream to that. It's sad. It's a low-cost add-on and it would open the door to some truly innovative improvements to our services.
Got a Garminfone
It has wifi.
thanks
Yes, the T-Mobile Garminfone, also known as Garmin Nuvifone A50, uses the Android Operating System. The older AT&T Garmin Nuvifone G60 was not Android, however. I point that out because the names are similar enough that there could be confusion. I have both of them and like both of them, but clearly the newer Garminfone is more flexible because of the Android Operating System.
Thanks for clearing that up. I was always confused about this because of the very limited info I had seen.
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/21626 - red light cameras do not work
WIFI
The next GPS unti I buy will definitely have WIFI. It will be easier to transfer POI's, etc from my computer to GPS. It's basically a mini computer, and having internet access would make it much more useful.
Garmin Chirp
All,
Wifi? How about this proximity beacon?
It shares info with your, (certain models of Garmin,) GPS when you get within 30 feet or so!
Regards,
Cactusmitch
"If you find a fork in the road, pick it up." Y. Bera.