Garmin to support Mac OS X.
Amber got me the Garmin etrex Legend C GPS for Christmas, which is an awesome little color GPS. It’s my first GPS — I’ve never even used one — and I have to admit that it seems a little magical. It has a standard USB cable that permits users to hook it up to a computer, such that route data can be saved to computer or new map data can be uploaded to the device. By default, it comes only with major highways listed so for getting around, say, downtown Richmond, it requires new maps to be uploaded. No problem…if you’re a Windows user. For us Mac users, they offer nothing. Thankfully, there are some third-party programs that do the trick, but that requires an outlay of $40 that shouldn’t be required for such basic functionality.
That’s why I think today’s announcement that Garmin will begin supporting the Mac OS is so great:
By the end of 2006, Garmin intends to have made all its popular hardware and software applications Mac OS X compatible. This includes the ability to load MapSource map data to Garmin units via a Mac, as well as waypoint and trip planning applications. Additionally, the Garmin nRoute application will allow Powerbook and iBook users to turn their laptop into a powerful street navigation tool with Garmin’s GPS 10 or GPS 18 sensors.
They’re going to offer some fitness software in the next few months, but it looks like basic map-data exchange will be a longer wait. I’ll probably have to spend the $40 anyhow, but I look forward to switching to Garmin’s software. Good on Garmin for supporting Apples.
(Via Ben Stanfield at MacSlash, who is much more of a rockstar than I.)
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