Garmin launches navigation devices with Hindi and Indian English language support; Opens office in Delhi

The nüvi 40LM comes with a 4.3 inch display while nüvi 50LM has a 5 inch display and like any other Gramin devices; these will broadcast in Hindi and Indian English for Indian users. The devices will use NAVTEQ maps and will come with free lifetime maps (thus taking away the recurring cost). Users will also be able to download the up-to-date map information on streets, highways and points of interest as soon as new content is available for the device via the 'Garmin nüMaps lifetime' feature.

The devices are priced at Rs 8,450 and Rs 9,990 for nüvi 40LM and 50LM respectively, and have additional features like Junction View- helps drivers avoid last minute manoeuvres; Lane Info- guides users to the proper lane; Highway Mode- inform users about approaching exits on highways; Text-to-speech- voice speaking out street names in Indian English accent; and House Search- to search and 'Go to office'/'Go home' with a simple click.

The new devices also come with free maps of Singapore and Malaysia, two of the most visited places by Indian vacationers, according to Gramin.

Tony An, marketing director, Garmin Asia, said, "We believe Indian English sounds much more familiar and can be well-recognised by Indian people. Furthermore, voice guidance in Hindi will further help in popularising the devices."

Similar navigation devices are available from other vendors as well. Dutch navigation service provider TomTom entered the Indian market last year by introducing the VIA series of their personal navigation devices in the country, priced at Rs 15,000 onwards.

SatNav Technologies, an India-based GPS maps and navigation company, recently launched an app with navigation and live traffic updates while MapmyIndia, another GPS navigation provider in India, launched CarPad, a new GPS device. But at Rs 22,990 (due to its high configuration), it costs much more than the Gramin device.

---