After a long-ish year-and-a-half delay from when it was first announced, and after an alliance with Asus, Garmin’s GPS-enabled phone, the nüvifone, is finally here … or at least in Taiwan.
General availability (later this year) of the nüvifone should be a good thing for Garmin. Although Garmin’s nüvi line of portable navigation devices has sold very well, the future of in-dash and stand-alone PNDs does not look bright, as iSuppli and others are saying that the future of GPS and satnav is on phones, both smart and regular cell varieties.
Despite the requisite 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips, web browser and 3MP camera, the Garmin-Asus nüvifone G60 seems to be marketed mainly as a portable navigation device. The device is touted as having a location based services (LBS)-centric resistive touch screen, millions of preloaded POIs, turn-by-turn directions and is even “optimized for automobile use with included car mount“.
The Linux-based nüvifone G60 (there’s also a smaller model M20) is larger and a bit heavier than the Apple iPhone 3GS, and has a smaller screen. Expensive at 16990 TWD.
Garmin-Asus nüvifone™ Available for Purchase in Asia – Garmin press release, July 24 2009
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