14 DAY TRIAL // Garmin International announced the release of a software application that makes smartphones behave as fully featured Garmin GPS navigators. Garmin Mobile XT uses the phone's built-in GPS capabilities to offer navigation assistance in North America and Europe. Unlike other navigation software, the application can be purchased for a one time fee, without requiring a subscription.
Garmin Mobile XT comes preloaded on a microSD card that includes the navigation software, along with maps supplied by NAVTEQ for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, or 30 European countries. After the card is inserted into a compatible memory slot, the application launches automatically, allowing users to track their position on a moving map, get turn-by-turn voice prompted directions, or find points of interest such as ATMs, gas stations, hotels and restaurants.
Garmin Mobile XT also offers several unique features such as support for travel guides, topo maps and custom points of interest, as well as advanced features such as route planning with saved routes, custom avoidances and visible trip logs. In addition, it allows users to plan a route to the location of a contact in their phone's address book or to a calendar appointment on supported platforms. Also, by using the PeerPoints feature, users can send their position to other phones, as well as view the position of other Garmin Mobile XT users and navigate to them. Besides offering navigation assistance, the application grants users free access to Garmin Online, giving customers continuously updated information on real-time traffic, fuel prices, hotel prices and weather forecasts.
"Garmin Mobile XT is easy-to-use and affordable, with no monthly charges," said Charles Morse, Garmin's director of mobile and PND marketing. "It's a one-time investment that gives customers full-featured GPS navigation on their smartphone whenever and wherever they need it, including areas outside of wireless network coverage."
Garmin Mobile XT can be purchased for a price of $99 in the United States. Information on how to buy the application can be found here.