Garmin StreetPilot App Helps Avoid Gridlock with Real-Time Traffic Photos

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Just in time for the huge travel weekend that is Thanksgiving, Garmin has released an update for its StreetPilot Onboard iPhone navigation app. The new version of the app includes the ability to show real-time photos from traffic cameras. As the Garmin release explains,

This functionality can help holiday travelers get to their destination faster by giving them the ability to literally see traffic conditions ahead of time. The update also includes live weather information, the option to share points of interest via Facebook and SMS as well as other improvements.

The update is a free download to current app users. The photoLive Traffic Cameras feature is an in app purchase of $9.99.

And there is more. What would a Thanksgiving weekend update be without Black Friday pricing? Yes, on Friday there will be a one day only 50% off sale. The USA app will be $24.99 instead of $49.99 and the North America version will be $29.99 instead of $59.99. Find the apps in the iTunes App Store. The full release follows.

ITunes

Garmin StreetPilot Onboard App Helps Drivers to Avoid Thanksgiving Gridlock with Real-Time Traffic Photos

Thanksgiving, the biggest travel day of the year, is right around the corner and obviously traffic is a big concern when planning holiday travel. Garmin just made it easier for you to avoid gridlock with a new feature for its StreetPilot Onboard navigation app for iPhone that shows real-time photos from traffic cameras. This functionality can help holiday travelers get to their destination faster by giving them the ability to literally see traffic conditions ahead of time. The photoLive Traffic Cameras feature is part of a major update for the StreetPilot app that also includes live weather information, the option to share points of interest via Facebook and SMS as well as many other improvements to the UI and navigation experience. The update is available as a free download to current app users and the photoLive Traffic Cameras feature is an in app purchase for $9.99. On Black Friday, Garmin will reduce the price of the StreetPilot app by 50 percent. For one day only, the USA app will be available for $24.99 instead of $49.99 and the North America version will be $29.99 instead of $59.99.

“photoLive Traffic Cameras is an addition to Garmin’s existing real-time traffic feature, which guides drivers around congestion. But just as in other life situations, it’s sometimes best to see things with your own eyes rather than relying solely on data,” said Gerhard Mayr, Garmin vice-president of worldwide mobile phone business. “The new photoLive feature lets you easily look up real-time photos from traffic cameras across the U.S. and Canada to get a glance at traffic and weather conditions.”

photoLive Traffic Cameras can easily be accessed through the StreetPilot app’s traffic menu. Users simply select the road they’d like to look at and the feature displays real-time photos from that location. Included are over 10,000 traffic cameras across the U.S. and Canada that send images every couple of minutes to make sure users get the most current view. Users can also save their favorite cameras for quick one-touch access.

Additional Features included in the StreetPilot App Update:

Live Weather: View live weather conditions and five-day forecasts for your current location or for your destination.

Points of Interest Sharing: Let friends and family know where you are or when you’re arriving at a point of interest such as a restaurant or attraction. With the touch of a button, you can share a location via Facebook or SMS and even include a personal message.

InstaSearch: The new InstaSearch function allows users to accelerate searches. It automatically provides suggestions as you enter text to search for POIs, cities or addresses, making it easier to find what you’re looking for.

POI and Speed Limit Editor: Users can now delete or edit points of interest and add photos of a location. The changes can be uploaded to Garmin for database inclusion in future updates. Users can also update speed limits along a road segment.

Garmin StreetPilot Onboard puts the vast preloaded database and intuitive interface of a Garmin nüvi into the iPhone you use everyday – without tapping into your data plan. With ultra-fast map drawing, panning and zooming, the preloaded maps and Points of Interest offer peace of mind in knowing that wireless coverage and data plan usage are not required to access maps or calculate routes. So just as with a nüvi, the maps and directions are always there when you need them most – especially when you can’t get cell or Wi-Fi signals or your data plan is running low.

With advanced navigation features such as lane guidance, junction view, 3D buildings, trip planner, trip computer, Garmin’s “Where Am I?” safety feature, and red-light and speed camera information, Garmin StreetPilot Onboard provides crucial information that a driver needs for daily errands, weekend road trips or family vacations.

All Garmin StreetPilot apps are available from the App Store. Find details about each version – as well as Garmin’s other apps for a wide variety of activities – at http://garmin.com/apps.

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About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.