Garmin Surprises With Cell Phone
Jan 31, 2008, 8:38 AM by Eric M. Zeman
updated Jan 31, 2008, 9:40 AM
Garmin, maker of GPS products, announced a brand new product called the nuvifone. The nuvifone is a cell phone that resembles the iPhone and is loaded with applications and services from Google. It has HSDPA for 3G connectivity and uses a large touch screen for user input. Some of the services on the nuvifone are Google Local Search, Gmail and Google Panaramio. One feature, called Where Am I?, automatically locates the device and displays coordinates, as well as lists the closest hospitals, police stations and gas stations. It has an MP3 player, shoots video and stills with automatic geotagging. It also has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and full GPS, with access to local traffic reports and more. No word on pricing or carrier support in the U.S. It will not be available until the third quarter.
Comments
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I want it...
Good for them
UI is of tremdous importance with a touchscreen, so this could be a ridiculously awful phone that no one likes using, or a brilliant new device on par with the iPhone (not likely, but who knows).
One thing's clear though - more companies need to do this. People will pay attention to the "nuviphone" (lousy name IMHO) than they would have otherwise just because it was such a surprise.
It is very clean... uses GOogle local search and seems ...
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