Absolutely necessary but needs to be better – Garmin Smartphone Link Review

So, by default Garmin uses Foursquare to search for things. Couple that with terrible voice recognition on the unit itself, and Garmin has A LOT to gain from tighter smartphone integration. This app wants to be that tight integration. The most important thing this app does is give you the ability to copy an address from an actual search engine and paste it into the search field of the app. You can then send that address to your GPS and not have to use the terrible UI. This app would benefit from the ability to use Siri shortcuts. Then at least you could find your address and say “Hey Siri, send this to Garmin” and never have to open the app or touch the GPS. Additionally, this app misses an opportunity to customize the smart notifications on the GPS. I like the idea of the smart notifications, but the execution is not good. That screen is the perfect size for the map, but then a notification comes up and doesn’t leave until you close it. This should be a setting in the app. There is no reason for a notification to remain on the screen for longer than 3 seconds. Move all of the GPS settings to the app, add a few, and let us change them all from the app. Also, allow the GPS to use the phone to conduct its update. I have enough stuff to carry in and out of my truck every day. My phone has lots of horsepower, storage and a data plan. I feel like it should be able to update the GPS wirelessly as I commute. How about some third party integration? I would love Google to be able to tell it that there is traffic ahead, or for Waze to be able to report a hazard or speed trap.
Review by TheShkosh on Garmin Smartphone Link.