Garmin, the market share leader when it comes to personal navigation devices, has just taken the wraps off of their latest generation GPS devices: the nuvi 750, nuvi 760 and the nuvi 770.
The nuvi 700 series is packed full of cool features, like a "car locator" so you don't need to remember where you parked. It also includes a built-in MP3 players with Audible support, and a handy-dandy built-in FM transmitter (hey... remember those?) so you can either listen to your tunes or the turn-by-turn directions through your car stereo. The 760 and 770 also can receive real-time traffic reports, and let you steer clear of them.
But wait... where's the satellite radio support? There is none.
The real-time traffic data, is provided by an integrated FM TMC (Traffic Message Channel) traffic receiver. In the U.S., that data is provided by Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network. Not XM or Sirius.
And the MP3/Audible support is all you're going to find in the audio category. Never mind that they have that built-in FM transmitter issue already taken care of.
I've already ranted about how Sirius and XM have missed the boat when it comes to the personal GPS market, and this is just another example.
This morning, Garmin CFO Kevin Rauckman was on CNBC talking about the company's outlook, and he mentioned that they're focusing more on the Retail channel more than the OEM channel. The reasoning was that Retail just moved much faster than OEM, and they're just seeing much more sales on the Retail side.
This is exactly the opposite of satellite radio's strategy. Being included in personal GPS devices could be an opportunity for satellite radio on the retail side. It provides access to an affluent market who's willing to spend $500+ on a device, and if XM/Sirius applied the OEM model to Retail (i.e., complimentary 3-month or 6-month subscription), they gain access to more ears as well.
It's time to get on the ball with this one.
hoohoo i invented getting lost, too
Of course, the fact that XM HAD an in with Garmin that they seem to have let fall by the wayside just makes it that much worse. There are still a couple of Garmin models - though older models by today's standards - that have XM in them. But why XM never continued to take advantage of their relationship with Garmin is puzzling.
What does this say about XM's "competitive advantage" in data servcies when the lose out to Clear Channel?
Perhaps Garmin (and others) want a more universal traffic and weather service that can also be used when other country maps are purchased, or if Garmin units are purchased overseas.
Considering XM and Sirius don't have anything outside the U.S., they use clear channel and others for that access. My question is, does clear channel have any outside U.S. influence or reach?
>>> What does this say about XM's "competitive advantage" in data servcies when the lose out to Clear Channel?
Two words: Nissan and Toyota.
XM has 'em, Sirius doesn't.
a year of the Clear Channel service after the first 3 months is done is $60. A year of Navtraffic alone is $10 a month, $120 a year. If you want XM & Navtraffic, it is $17 a month, or over $200.
also ,the Clear Channel service is broadcast over FM signals. This means that the user can have the GPS anywhere and still get the FM signal to the power cord, which is where the traffic receiver is located.
as with sat radio, the XM Navtraffic antenna would need a clear shot of the sky. Plus it would probably be an external antenna.
Garmin is getting away from external antennas and extra cables. These new 700 series GPS will have no flip up antenna and once again, the traffic receiver is in the power cord. This makes for an almost tolerable, "appealing" look in most cars. Unlike the plug & play radios that have wires everywhere if not professionally installed.
Last thought, at least XM has navtraffic available through the Pioneer nav systems and some older Garmin units. Where is the Sirius service at all? The Sirius service was supposed to be available for the Panasonic Strada. But the receiver is still not available anywhere.
If I recall correctly, mos of Europe is covered by TMC for Traffic Updates.
Regardless, XM needs to put their receiver in US models for an audio option. My wife wants a GPS and she already has a MyFi in the car. She doesn't want another item on her dash. If Garmin offered a GPS with XM we'd buy one today. As it is, we're waiting for the Jensen and Audiovox models to come out.
More TMC Info.
"TMC traffic data are already being broadcast in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Also planning services soon are the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Portugal."
The article is called "What is TMC" and can be found here:
http://www.tmcforum.com/en/about_tmc/what_is_tmc/what_is_tmc.htm
Service providers for Garmin's FM TMC Traffic:
United States: Total Traffic Network
United Kingdom: Trafficmaster
France: v-trafic
Garmin also uses MSN Direct in addition to their FM TMC services... oh and XM NavTraffic.
I think it goes beyond just the traffic component... both Sirius and XM need to have their satellite RADIO services embedded in other retail products. The most logical addition to individual "radios" is these GPS devices. They're used primarily within the car, and are mounted on the dashboard/windshield already. And they even now have FM modulators built-in.
This is a NO BRAINER.
I opened my mailbox today and there was my new Consumer Reports.....On page 6 the article reads "Portable GPS Devices"-GET MORE FOR LESS. Go figure.
The top two slots were the Garmin Nuvi 660 and 350. Garmin had 4 devices in the top ten. I would like to have one too, but my dash has too many gadgets. Time to consolidate or maybe MERGE a few devices already ?
I have had my Garmin GPS III+ for over 3 years now. It has never let me down. In fact when I hook it to my laptop the system is so much better. I am getting a Motion Tablet PC soon where I will have a much better GPS solution than the built in systems that the car manufacturers offer.
What needs to be done in the future is computer integration into vehicles.
The CEO of Garmin is right. Retail is a great carrier of their products. Oh and Megallen's products aren't as good.