Garmin's Smartphone link ready for download on 3490

Sweet! Off I go!

edit - nothing on Web Updater yet...

I installed it on my 3490 using webupdater and so far so good.

Sorry, I guess it's only for the 3490 as of today.

Last year's 3790 is not supported.

The Smartphone link app will only work with the following Bluetooth-enabled 2012 Garmin nüvi's (nüvi 2475LT, 2495LMT, 2595LMT, 3490LMT and 3590LMT)

Gadget Man reported it was, before he edited the thread. I thought (hoped!) Garmin may have included us in the deal!

I would be careful with the smartlink feature since Garmin and others have the ability to gather travel data while your GPS and your smartphone are connected. This is a good way for companies to collect data for marketing purposes.

I thought I read somewhere that one of the features of HD traffic was that they were gathering travel info from other Garmin users.

I wouldn't be surprised if this information leaks out sometime in the future.

I have a 3490LMT and installed the Smart Link on the first day it was available. I am connected to a Motorola Droid 2 using Verizon Wireless in the Washington Area.

In general, this app plugs many of the holes that are no longer available since MSN Direct went out of service (e.g. fuel prices, weather, some of send to GPS). Note that there are a menu of services available via Smart Link, each for an additional annual subscription.

Pros:
1. Where I live in the outer suburbs of Washington DC (Northern Virginia), the old MSN Direct signal coverage was non-existent until you got closer to the beltway. The HD Radio traffic service built in to the 3490 LMT has the same coverage problems. Smart Link fixes this problem as it uses my phone's data service via Bluetooth and has instant traffic coverage (for $19.99 a year).
2. The Fuel prices feature works great (for an additional annual subscription fee), except it adds an icon instead of replacing the existing fuel station icon, thus potentially causing confusion.
3. The weather feature is significantly enhanced in that not only does it provide weather forecasts and warnings, but also it displsy animated weather radar.
4. There is a quasi-send to GPS feature in that you can look up a location on your phone's Google Maps and send it to the GPS, but you cannot look up a location on your laptop or desktop at home and send it to the GPS via the wireless service or via the web. I guess you could send it from you laptop via Bluetooth, but that's not very practical to do while in your car.
5. It has a cool feature that allow you to see real-time pictures from traffic cameras on your route, of course for an extra annual fee. I have not yet subscribed to this feature.

Cons:
1. Everything is an extra fee, but at least they give you a menu so you can just add the services you want. Unfortunately, there is not a bundle option with a discounted price if you subscribe to all the services.
2. A major con for me is that since the Smart Link uses Bluetooth, my Droid 2 only supports one Bluetooth connection at a time, which means I have to use the 3490LMT as my hands free phone connection. I would rather continue to use my car's Bluetooth hands free connection while the GPS uses the data connection, but it doesn't allow separate services. There is an option on the GPS to just use the data services and not the voice services, but that just means you have to put the phone to your ear or use a non-bluetooth hands free solution like wired ear phones.

All in all, it is a major step forward but for the hands free limitation.

I hope this helps others.

Nice to see that Garmin is trying to evolve and stay competetive with the demand for unique gadgets and features.

I've used the Smart Link program just a little bit. Mainly to enter addresses while in the office and then send them to my GPS when I get to the car. I've found that it doesn't always work. Sometimes the addresses disappear from the Smart Link program. Don't know why, guess the program is a little buggy. I hope they update it and get it working perfectly. It really is a nice feature.

they would make it for BlackBerry. Don't have a Droid or iPhone and don't want either. Very happy with BB.