Garmin launches innovative GPS phone

Permalink: Garmin launches innovative GPS phone by Jan Harris

Garmin International Inc, which specialises in satellite navigation and global positioning systems (GPS), has launched it first mobile phone, the nuvifone.

Nuvifone is a GSM/HSDPA based, touch-screen phone, mobile web-browser and personal navigator, all in one innovative device.

To use the navigation system, the phone is docked onto the vehicle mount. This automatically starts the GPS and activates the navigation menu, while the phone automatically switches to hands-free.

Nuvifone comes pre-loaded with maps of North America, Eastern and Western Europe, or both. A built in database allows drivers to quickly search for a street name or organisation, and voice prompts guide them to the location.

The touch screen makes web browsing easy, and personal messaging functions, including email, text, and instant messaging are all available.

The phone’s camera can be used as an aid to navigation. The user simply takes a photo, which is automatically tagged with the exact latitude and longitude reference.

The image can then be saved, so that the location can be found at a future date, or emailed to a contact. Other features include a video camera, MP3 and MPEG4/AAC.

The nuvifone should be available in the third quarter of 2008. Details about pricing and sales partners are not yet available.