nuvi 885T and 855 GPS Navigation Device announced by Garmin

Garmin's nüvi 885T ($799.99) is making its debut during CES 2009 sporting features like voice activation, lane assist with junction view, Bluetooth wireless, and enhanced MSN Direct services. The new GPS navigator has a 4.3” color touchscreen display (480X272 pixels) and is preloaded with maps of the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Garmin’s HotFix feature is on board helping to automatically calculate and store critical satellite information. Garmin also announced the nüvi 855 ($699.99), which offers speech recognition and lane assist with junction view capabilities but lacks MSN Direct services and Bluetooth wireless technology.

These new premium GPS navigators from Garmin also include an integrated FM wireless transmitter which you can use to transmit turn-by-turn directions and street names, MP3s and audio books through your cars stereo. The nüvi 885T has front-firing speakers, a removable lithium-ion battery, and supports USB 2.0.

Drivers will also benefit from receiving next-generation dynamic content from the MSN Direct network that’s faster than before:    

* Flight status: check the status of an arriving or departing flight before pulling into the terminal.    

* Advanced weather: displays Doppler weather maps and other current weather conditions (including high/low/current temperatures, chances of precipitation, humidity, pressure, wind and weather alerts), as well as three day weather forecasts.    

* Traffic conditions: receive up-to-date incident and flow information for most metropolitan areas across North America, and let nüvi select a route that avoids traffic accidents, road closures, and construction.    

* Fuel prices: receive gas price data from more than 85,000 gas stations across the nation.  Drivers will always know where to get the best prices – and save time and fuel by using the unit to navigate directly to the station of their choice.    

* Enhanced movie listings: search for movies by title or by theater and receive show times, ‘star’ ratings, genre, actors and more – and get driving directions to the theater.    

* Local events: receive special notices on festivals, concerts and sporting events in your area, and navigate to them.    

* News and Stocks: the latest news headlines and financial market updates are always at your fingertips.    
* Send to GPS capability: plan trips and look up destinations from the convenience of your computer, via Windows Live Local, and then wirelessly send locations to your nüvi 885T.

Three months of free MSN Direct service is included with the purchase of the nüvi 885T. Owners can subscribe for $49.95 a year, or a one-time charge of $129.95, some restrictions apply.  For more information on MSN Direct services and coverage areas, visit http://garmin.msndirect.com.

via | Garmin Blog