Omio

Garmin nuvifone Gets Lost, Arriving 2009

By Ernest DokucloseAuthor: Ernest Doku Name: Ernest Doku
Email: ernest.doku@omio.com
Site: http://blog.omio.com
About: I like gadgets, loads! I like talking about them, writing about them, using them, watching other people use them though binoculars... Some would say it was an unhealthy fascination, but then I'd be all like, "Shh...," and go back to doing gadget-related things. Hit me up on Xbox Live or PSN, I'm EJStyleS. I promise to give you a good match as well as talk about things that aren't gadgets. A bit.See Authors Posts (461)

One of the most impressive fighters for the iPhone crown was the Garmin nuvifone, touting features like a GPS receiver far ahead of the competition.

Unfortunately, months passed and that Q3 2008 release was looking a little late for the nuvifone. Every phone seems to have GPS as standard these days, and robust features like Nokia Maps mean Garmin’s entry might have missed a window of opportunity.

Worse news then for the directionally challenged holding out for the nuvifone, as it has been delayed to the first half of 2009. Making a GPS phone seems to be much harder than they thought as Garmin stated: “…meeting some of the carrier specific requirements will take longer than anticipated.”

Shame that, as it was shaping up to be a strong alternative to the first iPhone, but now the 3G reboot (sort of) does the only thing the nuvifone had going for it. Fear they may have missed the boat with this one…

Source: GPSTracklog

Garmin Nuvifone Is Located

By Kate CrowleycloseAuthor: Kate Crowley Name: Kate Crowley
Email: talk@omio.com
Site: http://www.omio.com
About: Kate's interest in mobile phones began when she realised she was supernaturally adept at Snake 2. She was less good at Battleships and, frankly, we shouldn't even mention Pipes.See Authors Posts (211)

Today Garmin announced they are taking on the mobile market, with a bit extra. They are set to launch a fully functional mobile phone with HSDPA data. As to be expected, the phone will have full GPS functionality. Currently there is no operator information; however the phone features HSDPA and AT&T are the only network with this facility. By the time this is launched (around Q3 of 2008) T-mobile should support HSDPA.

What does this mean for the UK? Considering that Garmin currently sell Sat Nav units in the UK, we should see this handset on our shores as soon as it is released. Due to the HSDPA functionality the networks most likely to take on this handset are Vodafone and T-mobile. I don’t see there being a network battle like we had with the iPhone.

Features include:

Google local search
Garmin Online services - traffic, weather, fuel prices, hotel discounts, etc.
nuvi-like navigation on the road or in pedestrian mode
Email, text, IM functions
Camera, video camera, MP3 and MPEG4/AAC

via: Garmin Nuvifone