Google and Garmin
Google Maps adds “Send to Garmin” - Garmin Adds Google Local Search
It sounds like a big game of “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”, but the end result is a great boost in functionality for end users of both Google Maps and Garmin GPS devices, including Garmin Mobile subscription service for the BlackBerry and Windows Mobile devices.
Google “Send to Garmin”
The Google “Send to Garmin” feature works pretty much just like it sounds. You map out your route using Google maps, including any points of interest you might want to see along the way, such as this cool store for high end cowboy boots in Austin, and then simply click the “send to Garmin” button. Easy Peasy.
Google Local Search on Garmin Mobile
Alternatively, if you use the Garmin Mobile subscription service, you can now use it to directly search Google local to find those cool points of interest such as the cheapest gas or even the best Barbecue in the world (it’s so good, I’m giving them that link and they’re not even a client 
Google Maps on BlackBerry
Or, as an alternative to the above, if you have a BlackBerry with a GPS (also supported on many other phones, but I can’t vouch for them), you can save yourself some money and simply download the excellent Google Maps for Mobile application. I got a new BlackBerry (OMG, would someone please write them a letter explaining search engine friendly urls?) with Tele-Nav and tried that once. I then tried Google Maps for mobile and never even launched Tele-Nav again. My one caveat, if you need turn by turn talking navigation, Google Maps can’t help you…yet, though I can’t imagine they aren’t working on that.
Overall, “send to Garmin” is a good idea. I just think it’s a better idea to simply install Google Maps on your phone in the first place.
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April 1st, 2008 at 4:51 pm
So I’m a bit confused here. You do your Google Map thing, then press the “Send to Garmin” button.
OK so far. But how does this map info get transferred to your Garmin–thru your PC? Is extra s/w needed on the PC? Maybe I’m missing something here, but I can’t put it all together. Help!
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Great point, and to be honest I never really figured it for sure from anything I read.
I think, but am not sure, that your Garmin must be hooked up to the computer via USB, which would be my guess as to why they don’t detail the process in their press release.
If the Garmin website had even rudimentary SEO you’d just be able to Google it and find out from a support page or pdf buried somewhere on their site. Alas, it doesn’t, and you can’t. Good Luck!
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I just got a blackberry (with the full QWERTY for my big thumbs) and I have the Google maps - I wish it ran a little faster, but it was kind of nice when i was returning from a road trip back to San Antonio and coming through on I-35 south…We knew the best time to have dinner to miss the traffic. Any of you guys get to down San Antonio at all? I’d like to spring for beer or a coffee and talk a little SEO. I also like the Google reader (except when I am reading Aaron Wall in HEB and I run into the vegetable scale). Hope to hear from you - I like the holistic message and the guerrilla marketing.
June 9th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Garmin has a plug-in called communicator which works with the web browser. Download it to the PC and connect the Garmin device before sending it to the Garmin.