Internet access

 

By taking advantage of the Bluetooth capabilities of both my cell phone and my GPS, I modified all my POI, GPX based, files so that I can make a call to a POI directly from the GPS.

And that is when it hit me:

Maybe there is one already out there, but if not, how long is going to take for a GPS model to come out with a browser so that it allows you to browse the internet by using the Bluetooth connectivity to your smart phone?

If the Bluetooth implementation is the full spec, it should be fairly simple to implement this.

What are your thoughts?

Frank Lopes wrote: By taking

Frank Lopes wrote:

By taking advantage of the Bluetooth capabilities of both my cell phone and my GPS, I modified all my POI, GPX based, files so that I can make a call to a POI directly from the GPS.

And that is when it hit me:

Maybe there is one already out there, but if not, how long is going to take for a GPS model to come out with a browser so that it allows you to browse the internet by using the Bluetooth connectivity to your smart phone?

If the Bluetooth implementation is the full spec, it should be fairly simple to implement this.

What are your thoughts?

What about Garmin nuLink?

nuLink

Did some research and this is what Garmin says about the nuLink models:

"connects drivers with relevant, online information from Garmin’s nüLink! service"

Not exactly what I was thinking.

First we would have to pay Garmin for the service and second one would have access only to what Garmin wants or deems appropriate.

I don't want Garmin to make the decisions for me, even still it would be a leap forward to my GPS.

What I want is the internet on my 1490LMT via a regular web browser.

I know, I know.... I'm dreaming....

Not sure

Not sure about the nuLink service only having access to what Garmin wants you to. You can do actual Google searches for POIs on the 1695 nulink device which bypasses Garmin altogether.

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Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

nulink

Frank Lopes wrote:

Did some research and this is what Garmin says about the nuLink models:

"connects drivers with relevant, online information from Garmin’s nüLink! service"

Not exactly what I was thinking.

First we would have to pay Garmin for the service and second one would have access only to what Garmin wants or deems appropriate.

I don't want Garmin to make the decisions for me, even still it would be a leap forward to my GPS.

What I want is the internet on my 1490LMT via a regular web browser.

I know, I know.... I'm dreaming....

Go to the garmin website and then the nuLink page. It will show you all the services nuLink provides including Google. You can also go to YouTube where there are several demos to look at. Some demos are good in detail, some suck. Nulink uses a built in cellular unit. One of the demos show the results on a Garmin search and then a Google search. Big difference. Kinda makes me want to go get one.

Yes it costs $$$ and no its not a real browser but it is most of what you are looking for.

Garmin 295W can connect to interner with wifi smartphone hotspot

Frank Lopes wrote:

Maybe there is one already out there, but if not, how long is going to take for a GPS model to come out with a browser so that it allows you to browse the internet by using the Bluetooth connectivity to your smart phone?

Garmin already has a model 295W with a browser that can connect to your smartphone that has wifi hotspot capability. We have 2 of them and use them all the time. Uses wifi instead of bluetooth and works great while traveling. It also can connect using the free wifi at restaurants and hotels.

They have the capabilities when connected to the smartphone hotspot in addition to the normal Garmin GPS to browse the internet, send and receive email, live google search, take and send and receive geocoded photos and so on.

Sally just got back from a 4,500 mile trip and used the 295W throughout her trip for GPS duty plus checked her emails, responded to emails and did her on line banking and google searches.

Only paid $69 for her 295W on Amazon gold box deal of the day.

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Garmin Drive Smart 55 - Samsung Note 10 Smartphone with Google Maps & HERE Apps

Where do I get the browser for Garmin 1690?

Where do I get the browser for Garmin 1690?

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Frank Lopes wrote:

Not exactly what I was thinking.

First we would have to pay Garmin for the service and second one would have access only to what Garmin wants or deems appropriate.

Nothing is free. Connecting to smartphone WiFi hotspot also costs us extra fee (tethering plan).

Smartphone Browser

Frank Lopes wrote:

Not exactly what I was thinking.
.
.
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What I want is the internet on my 1490LMT via a regular web browser.

I know, I know.... I'm dreaming....

I guess I've not seen a reason for this. I do use Google on the Garmin sometimes when travelling to find a person or place, but most times I just use the browser or Google app on the smartphone. I find the Google app on the smartphone much faster than the one in the Garmin, and it allows me to immediately map the location and/or directions to it. So, I haven't seen a need for any more browswer capability on the Garmin.

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Garmin Nuvi 1690