Since Garmin doesn't want to lose its top position on the personal navigation devices' market, it's chosen a rather peculiar approach to today's rather trenched-down market, namely that of keeping the customers' interest at a constantly high level by rolling out new products at fairly short time intervals. And the latest such product to arrive on the market is the nuvi 1490T PND, a device that combines a very sleek design with a large, 5-inch display, and other useful and attractive features on the side.

Hence, one of the main selling points of the PND is its sleek body, 25% slimmer than most nuvi models. Furthermore, the GPS navigator incorporates a 5-inch touchscreen that details upcoming turns and specific driving directions, including road sign detail and arrows indicating the proper lane for navigation.

Plus, a speed limit indicator displays speed limits for most major roads, while an integrated traffic receiver comes standard with the nuvi 1490T and gives free, lifetime traffic alerts without a subscription fee. The free lifetime traffic alerts are from NAVTEQ Traffic and are available in select coverage areas.

In addition, the nuvi 1490T offers users Bluetooth Wireless Technology, which makes it possible to receive and place phone calls directly from the nuvi. The gadget supports over 200 Bluetooth-enabled phones, and drivers can retrieve and dial numbers using a supported phone’s contact list, the phone’s call history log or the nuvi’s preloaded points of interest database.

“The nüvi 1490T is designed to give drivers a big picture of the route ahead, while offering every-day conveniences customers want and need to take the worry out of traveling,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “With its enhanced pedestrian navigation capabilities and ultra-thin design, it’s also a perfect companion for travelers in unfamiliar territory who want to explore the city on foot or with public transportation.”

The Garmin nuvi 1490T is scheduled to hit the shelves at some point over the course of July 2009 and will retail for around 500 US dollars, which might seem like much, but it's actually a pretty decent price point, given the extensive level of functionality the navigator can provide.


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