Garmin Nuvifone Premiere
Posted on: January 30, 2008
Garmin just presented the Nuvifone, a cellphone that is also a GPS. Here is how Nuvi describes it: “is the breakthrough product that cell phone and GPS users around the world have been longing for — a single device that does it all,” (Cliff Pemble, Garmin CEO)
It is an interesting effort, and we will reserve our judgment until we can test it in the field, but this confirms something that we have been thinking for a while: GPS devices are commodities and it’s going to be really hard for a GPS maker to survive in the coming years. Chip are getting small enough that soon every phone will have a GPS – just like they (almost) all have Bluetooth.
But jumping on the cellphone bandwagon won’t be enough to guarantee their survival. Just look at how Motorola is struggling. There are ways to delay the point where phones will take over: larger displays, better design, faster computing. But in the end GPS makers will be squeeze from two sides: GPS car integration and GPS phone integration.
Specifications
- 3.5" Touch Display
- 3.5G data connectivity
- WiFi
- Speaker
- Mp3 Player
- Web Browser
- Photos (+Geo Tagging)
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Reader Comments
By James , 16/04/08 7:45 PM (CommentID #636067)
Garmin has not been around for a while and has a history of making crappy, shaddy products. I suspect those trying to play-up the Nuvifone are employee Garmin stockholders!
Garmin will be down-sizing very shortly after the Nuvifone in on the market because it is and will be a major dissapointment just like their last phone.
By Hubert , 31/01/08 10:17 AM (CommentID #456197)
Hi Chris, it's true that Garmin has an excellent brand but how they hve a tough fight ahead of them and have to go from "fixed-function" devices to programmable devices. That's a big jump and the competition is steep. Phones are computers, and that's the turf of companies like Apple, not Garming
By Chris B , 31/01/08 6:23 AM (CommentID #455845)
I doubt Garmin will struggle. Garmin has been around for a long time, and does a very good job with a diverse product line that includes things like marine electronics.
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