Garmin Nuvifone: GPS Touchscreen Phone

Garmin International Inc announced its entrance into the mobile phone market with its new iPhone-like smartphone, the nüvifone.The full-fledged GSM HSDPA smartphone is built on its own operating system with GPS navigation at its core.

It is an all-in-one, sleek and slim, touchscreen device that combines a premium phone, mobile web-browser, and cutting-edge personal navigator. When powered on, the 3.5-inch touchscreen display reveals three primary icons — “Call,” “Search,” and “View Map” which allow the user to effortlessly master the nüvifone’s functions.

Main services will 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 support.

When the nüvifone is docked onto the vehicle mount, it automatically turns on the GPS, activates the navigation menu, and enables hands-free calling so that the user never misses a beat in the conversation and is able to begin routing to their destination with ease.

It includes preloaded maps of North America, Eastern and Western Europe, or both, and allows drivers to quickly find a specific street address, establishment’s name or search for a destination by category using the nüvifone’s built-in database with millions of points of interest. Turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions guide the user to their destination.

Garmin anticipates that the nüvifone will be available in the third quarter of 2008.