MSN Direct

It will work. I spoke with a Garmin employee here at CES and it works. In fact the units that are being shown at the Microsoft booth are in fact upgraded 760's

Get online using Garmin webupdater and see if your unit sees an update is available for you. My guess is that it has been posted and you may not realize it. Of course it doesn't do you a bit of good unless you pay to obtain the MSN Direct receiver for $125. Plus the MSN Direct icon will NOT show up unless the unit sees that there is a receiver attached.

I will have to see what happens. I doubt they will take my MSN Direct v1 back, or will they?

The 880 sure looks great. How does it look in real life? I would love to go to CES someday. I would only drool!!!

If you have the MSN Direct receiver already than you are good to go! The receiver for both v1 or v2 are the same so you have been receiving the new data already. You only need the software loaded up on the 760 to be able to read it. Now is that cool or what!

That is great! Almost too good to be true. I will download everything tonight and see if it works.

Now, if you could only help me with my Zune. I tried what you said, but I am still learning. I will get it yet.

Thank you so much for getting me the info. How much of an upgrade is the 880 over the 760 besides the voice recognition? The voice recognition looks too sweeeeeet!!

The 880 here are not "real". All the ones at the Garmin booth (none over at the Microsoft booth) are set to run in a demo mode showing a kind of flash movie of all the features. You can't really do anything with those and test the voice out. But then again it is SO NOISY here that it couldn't have really worked too well anyway which is probably why Garmin choose to put these in a demo mode.

I was at the Microsoft booth when the Garmin engineer was changing the mode of the 5000 on display from this demo movie mode over to a fully functioning unit because Microsoft wanted it to be a hands on unit. The Microsoft booth is the first one in the Central hall so all these units can lock in on satellites even though they are inside the building. The Garmin booth on the other hand is way down inside the South hall and I don't think they stand a chance of locking in on a signal so they are leaving those in demo mode.

I like the size and feel of the 880 which mimics the 7xx. I like the speakers on the front to make it easier to hear. Other than that I couldn't play live with one.

I am still jealous that you are there! Must be huge rush to get to see the latest technology!!

Webupdater has not been working all evening.

A window pops up and says

There was a problem communicating with the Garmin website. Please try again later. If you continue to experience this problem, contact Garmin Customer Support.

Guess I will have to call them tomorrow.

OK. Glad it wasn't just me! I was getting worried there for a minute.

Well here is to hoping that Garmin indeed posts the update. < crossed fingers >

I was able to run Webupdate successfully.

First part said that I had the most up-to-date software. The second gave me a few more text updates.

Text,Various Languages,Nüvi7xx

I hope that they update the software of the 750 also.

so what version are you running that the webupdater is saying you are current with? 2.3, 2.4

My unit says it is at Software Version 2.40

It has been at this version since approx Dec 26th

It is too good to be true. For now at least.

Garmin is not updating the units to receive new MSN content at this time. Whether they will or not remains to be seen.

How is CES going? Any more news from the Garmin folks on updates to MSN?

Did you get to see the 150 inch Plasma that Panasonic showed? how did it look!!

Good news guys with existing 7xx and MSN

I will have to go check it out. Even though it says 2.3 under support, 2.5 is available? That would be great.

How was CES?

Looks like it loaded. I will try it on my car now. Sweeeeeeet!!!

It works

Any word if the msn update will be issued for the C580?

Ray

I did the Garmin WebUpdate and selected the MSN receiver at the top of the Additional Updates, and updated the device. My 760 now receives all the new MSN content.

I went to Live Maps, searched Starbucks and my zip code, selected the local Starbucks and "Send to ... GPS". Went for a drive, selected WebFavorites from the MSN menu, and "Starbucks" was listed. Pressed it, hit Go, and immediately started getting directions to it.

Very, very cool.

How did you do that? That is great! Where is Live Maps and how do you get it to your 760?

I have really enjoyed my 760 since I got it for Christmas. This is just icing on the cake!!!

Thanks for your help in advance

Live Maps is Microsoft's map service. The URL is:

http://maps.live.com/

You need to have a (free) Live account to sign into. I created one with my Hotmail address.

I honestly have absolutely no idea how Live Maps knew where to send the data when I selected "Send to ... GPS." I can't remember if I indicated my Live account when I registered the MSN receiver or what. I am really confused, but it worked perfectly well.

For all you folks out there good news the C580 gets the same msn direct upgrade!! The best part is I got the 1st year free and paid $9.95 for an extra 6 months! Use WebUpdater to download the updates...

WAY COOL!!!!!!!!!

Ray

Got the same when I ordered the MSN v1. Have v2 with the upgrade and am waiting for the new stuff to load up. For some reason some of the other stuff has to load back up. The icons are still there, but the info is gone(i.e. movie theater, gas station names, as they come up as unknown now).

It will come back I am sure, just has to recharge.

Thanks for the tip. It works like a charm. A little confused on how it works, too, but it works!! Nice addition

I ran WebUpdate on my 680 and it recogize and installed the upgrade. However, the extra functionality of MSN v 2.0 is not available.

Just give it some time... It could take some time depending on the current coverage you are getting from MSN Direct. Go to the diagnostics page to see how you what your signal is. You can also see when the last sync was. Mine took up to 20 minutes under the worst conditions and about 5 minutes with the best.

You got to be kidding me! The C580 got version 2! Not that I don't believe you but please confirm you actually have the News, Stocks, Web Favorites icon, etc on your MSN Direct services.

I was told by Garmin that it was only going to be available to the 7xx series.

You had to see the 150 up close and personal to really appreciate how fantastic it really is. It is literally about 12 ft wide by 8 ft tall. It blow your mind.
Here is my photo of it...

http://byfiles.storage.live.com/y1pwmkkm2KqanPY12kV1Qj5LVMWn...

Thanks for the picture. OMG! I want one, but it would cause a major divorce and I couldn't afford one at the moment either hahahaha. I bet it looked awesome!

Yeah, it took me about 20-25 minutes, too, but it works! I like it!

I got an update today in wichita kansas, but no change in content - no different icons. So at this point I would say that the c580 is not getting the upgrade.

Daniel

well I am keeping my fingers crossed because I want it on my 680 as well

I was totally amazed with the Web Favorites on the upgrade of MSN. I looked for an address, found it, then I saw this icon by the address that said Send to..... I saw a choice that said GPS, and clicked it, having no idea what would happen. I was playing around with my 70 which upgraded to the new MSN, hit Web Favorites, and WHAM. Right there on the screen was the address I said send to GPS. I don't know if you have to have a hotmail account, which is free, but it was a very pleasant surprise.

Nope no icons even though it says I have the new software... Not sure what the upgrade did for me.... Supposedly I would get the new functionality.. The C580 should be able to use the new data from what I can see.. The nuvi 680 is essentially the same gps with a different form factor..

Ray

I also received the update yesterday and no new icons on my 680 yet. Will let you know if things change.

Quote from the MSN site:
If you own a Garmin® nüvi® 680 or a Garmin® StreetPilot® c580, a software update is now available from Garmin for your MSN Direct receiver!

This update includes several improvements which may enable you to receive information while driving through areas of intermittent signal, and should help to acquire data faster when driving into a new coverage area.

Use Garmin's WebUpdater tool to load the latest software for your Garmin navigator, and be sure to check the option to load new MSN Direct software. The next time you plug in the vehicle power cable, it will update your MSN Direct receiver.

Visit http://www.garmin.com/webupdater to update your receiver now!

Used Webupdater and it came right up. Curious to see if traffic reports in canada are improved. I'll report once I test it

I do hope it works for you guys with teh 680 and c580. The thing I like best is being able to send addresses I need to find on maps.live.com to my GPSr

The Nuvi680 is not on the V2 functionality list for Web Favorites. Tried it anyway and upgraded the MSN receiver to V2 - but no increased functionality such as Web Favorites!

This link may help explain the intent and why the 580 and 680 aren't receiving Web Favorites. Hope this changes in the future!

http://www.msndirect.com/NavigationDevicesGeneric.aspx

The Nuvi750 works great with the MSN receiver. Web Favorites appeared right away.

I guess with the 780 coming that has MSN, they had to make it compatible with all 7xx. Just a guess, but I do like the MSN v2

If Garmin were smart they would enhance the Nuvi 680 and C580 with the new functionality of MSN direct ver. 2.0 . It would cost very little and increase the saleability of these products without compromising the newest products. These tactics to introduce new products that do a little bit more for a much bigger price reeks of Microsofts' mentality. My theory is take care of your customers today and they will take care of you down the road. If Garmin wants to keep its current customer base they better wake up and smell the coffee!

Ray

What about the Nuvi 680. I've downloaded an update but no new icons appeared. Does working imply new functionality or just better old functionality?

What the update does is give false hope of an improved msn direct with new functionality. I have found this to be a sore subject and a clear case of Garmin alienating its current customer base. Garmin must think people are going to just toss out their current gps and "upgrade" to the new ones being produced. What course Garmin goes here will make me determine what course I take when it's time for a new gps. I came very close to buying a Navigon when I bought my 2nd Garmin (C580). Next time I will be recalculating!!

Irately Yours,
Ray

I have tested it and V2 does not seem to do any better with Canadian traffic info nor is the new functionality included with the Nuvi 680. I will be a longtime user of GPS products and will be buying them as gifts for my kids. I expect Garmin to support their products and will be watching how they react to this issue.

Ottawa gets Weather, Movie Times, News, Stocks and Web Favorites. It DOES NOT get Traffic, Gas Prices and Local Events. I have emailed them and they told me to use the website to make suggestions.... I have done this. Who knows! At least Web Favorites works. NEAT!

I am fortunate to get the other updates, but I could have done without all of them except Web Favorites. That one is fantastic.

Quite correct but I must say the current weather with the 3 day forecast is a nice touch. It's great to be able to quickly check without hunting for it on the radio.

Garmin's web site shows that the NUVI 780 has MSN V2 but it does not list the NUVI 760. Has anyone actually recieved stock quotes on the 760

The reason 760 isn't listed is because it doesn't come with it. MSN is an extra. The 760 comed with the TMC traffic.

I got the MSN and got the upgrade to v2. I get the ones that are already listed (NY Stock Exch, Garmin, NASDQ, etc.) but I have not been able to add any stocks.