Garmin teases us again with Nuvifone screenshots

If asked what is Garmin's resolution for year 2009, then the GPS device maker answer will definetely-maybe is to push out its long delayed Nuvifone device. So after Garmin finally got the green light from FCC for its Nuvifone, it now has uploaded a slew of Nuvifone screenshots at its web page; just enough to entice all of us who have been waiting for the GPS-phone device since like forever.

Let's just hope at the CES 2009, Nuvifone will appear for sure before it really becomes a vaporware champion. For more thoughts to think about of this, read on my old post: GPS enabled smartphone or phone enabled GPS device?

Sources are from Garmin website, via BGR.

Garmin Nuvifone received the green-light from FCC

We almost forgot about Nuvifone, although the full touchscreen GPS device with phone feature from Garmin made some ruckuss back when it first seen in January, we barely hear news about it after so much delays.

But according to GSMArena; the first mobile phone by Garmin is cruising past FCC and might as well keep the announcement to release gap down to a year. Here's the specs we know so far: a 3.5" touchscreen, built-in GPS, camera with geotagging and web browser. HSDPA support is confirmed on the 850 and 1900 MHz bands.

That's it? Yup, so for GPS lovers please cross your fingers and pray this is a good sign. No more delays, or otherwise we might as well say good bye to Nuvifone forever...

Garmin's Nuvifone delayed yet again

Yet another sad news hits mobile world; Garmin has deciced to delay its most anticipated first smartphone product Nuvifone up until the first half of 2009.

Affected by the poor second quarter earnings result, the U.S. biggest navigation device maker is pessimistic about entering a whole new market segment: smartphone. The company has now pushed back the launch twice in the last three months, its initial plan was to launch the Nuvifone in this year third quarter.

But when Garmin announced that it'll delayed "again" the launch date of Nuvifone to next year, it was Oppenheimer & Co analyst Yair Reiner turn who shares a cynical perspective: "I have a feeling that if Garmin loses confidence in its ability to sell at least a million phones in 2009, it may decide to exit the (wireless) market."

The nuvifone delay accounted for about $100 million of the revenue cut, a company executive said in a conference call. "I think really what we're talking about here is maybe as much as $100 million of the $600 million that we dropped," a company executive said on a conference call.

It's a real pity to hear the news, for the Nuvifone can make an interesting alternative of choice in our mobile world. IMHO it's not the best move for Garmin, since the Nuvifone has picked up a good vibe from its presentations, either from reviewers or from mobile users. But with so many delays, consumers will be bored with it even before the Nuvifone is launched. And that's what will really hurt Garmin's earnings...

Head on to PC Mag article for more detail information on the news.

[blogged with my Treo 750v]

Garmin Nuvifone, a taste of two worlds: mobile phone & GPS

When mobile phone manufacturers have started to put GPS features into their handsets, it's only natural if GPS manufacturers also start producing their own handsets. The question shouldn't be: why would they venture into something that's not their natural teritory? But it should be: what took them so long to do it?

As we all know it, GPS is the newest feature that every mobile phone manufacturers have keep on installing into their latest handsets. So if those GPS manufacturers are already have GPS technology in their hands; it would be easy for them reverse the wave. And this is where I think, what Garmin is trying to accomplish with its un-released yet of the phone-enabled GPS device: Nuvifone.

Specs on the Nuvifone is still scarce, but according to its official web page; we do know Nuvifone can be used into three different functions: mobile phone, navigation and web browser. Along with other functionality in modern mobile phone such as email, calendar viewer and taking pictures.

Judging from the images and the hands-on video clip below, the Nuvifone will become a strong contender to iPhone. Where once an undisclosed GPS manufacturer CEO said, that he's worried that iPhone could become a serious threat to GPS devices because of its wide screen; now Nuvifone could also become a new threat for similar reason. As you can watch it yourself, the 3.5-inch display screen of Nuvifone looks very eye-catchy.

Rumors from Engadget Mobile reported that this Garmin's Nuvifone is going to be manufactured by Asus, with the computer-maker lending a hand in the RF technology department amongst other things. The sources further claim that the Nuvifone will be the first in a series handsets, with plans to roll out new models through 2010.

The black colored shown in Nuvifone's web page is also slated by Engadget Mobile to be released on Q3, at price around $500.

So, what would you have it then? Phone-enabled GPS device, or GPS-enabled mobile phone? Your money, your choice.

Where is GPS device heading to now?

According to ChangeWave survey, the same market research that placed Palm on below the bar for customer satisfactory not long ago; has come up with new result for each of the GPS device vendors share in the market. Based since January survey; Garmin reign over others with 56%, followed by Magellan at 12%, TomTom only 9%, tallied last are Trimble Navigation at 3% and Lowrance at same 3%. I'm pretty sure those numbers don't interest you too much, just like me ;-), but what catches my interest is the use of GPS service in corporate level.

A quick simple example from Paul Carton: "Organizations with remote sales or service staffs often employ GPS to keep tabs on their workers as well as send and receive communications with employees on the go and help them find job locations." Read on his good article at ChangeWave blog here.

I was sparked by some of his words in that article, which bring some thought on how long the GPS devices can stand through time against GPS enabled mobile phones? Soon enough GPS wll become a standard feature even for low budget mobile phones, if so then would people still buy separate GPS device apart from their GPS mobile phone?

You could re-charge your mobile phone while using the GPS in your car, fast & easy. This is not a prediction but instead already becoming into reality, most noteable is Nokia already doing this, others vendors are planning to follow with the same steps. Even Garmin, as the current leader in the market will be shifting slowly their main service into smartphones called Nuvifone. Still the GPS vendors can offer their services through mobile phone vendors, or should they all start making their own branded smartphones too? The customers will decide; GPS enabled smartphone or phone enabled GPS device?

(blogged with my Treo 750v)