Garmin Gets Slim

Garmin today announced a new GPS in their nüvi line – the 1490T. This 5-inch, touchscreen GPS is 25-percent thinner than other nüvi models. In what Garmin calls a "premium automotive GPS device", the nüvi 1490T features free lifetime traffic alerts, lane assist with junction view (for those complicated intersections), automatic time zone transition and a speed limit indicator.

The 1490T makes route planning easy, as it saves up to 10 routes. And to help travelers save money, it comes with ecoRoute, which suggests the most fuel-efficient route. "Shorter distance" and "Faster time" routes are available as well. Bluetooth is also included for receiving and placing phone calls (over 200 Bluetooth enabled phones are supported).

The Garmin nüvi 1490T will be available in July 2009 for $499.99.