Garmin releases Nuvifone screenshots; won't run Android OS
Official screenshot of Garmin Nuvifone's home screen.
(Credit: Garmin)We are starting to see more and more signs that the Garmin Nuvifone is real and not just a figment of our imagination. Announced almost a year ago, the first smartphone for the GPS manufacturer just recently received FCC approval and now Garmin has released a media gallery of Nuvifone interface screenshots, including those for the navigation app, Google Local, the Web browser, calendar, and e-mail.
The user interface looks snazzy and pretty intuitive, but of course, it's hard to say without playing with the actual device. We're hoping that we'll get to see the Nuvifone in action at CES 2009 (and not under a glass case), but in the meantime, you can check out the full gallery of screen shots on Garmin's Web site.
The company also released a clarification in response to an article published by DigiTimes on December 22, which you can read more about in CNET News Managing Editor Jon Skillings's story. The DigiTimes report made reference to the Nuvifone and the fact that Garmin plans to release Google Android handsets, but to be clear, the Nuvifone will not run Google's Android operating system. Instead, the Nuvifone is based on a modified version of Linux.
However, a company spokesperson did confirm that Garmin, which joined the Open Handset Alliance in early December, is working on a Android device, stating, "We do have an Android-based phone under development; however, we are not releasing any additional information about that product at this time." The Garmin Nuvifone is slated to be released in the first half of 2009. Stay tuned for more.
(Source: GPS Tracklog via Boy Genius Report)
Bonnie Cha is a senior editor for CNET, covering smartphones and GPS. When she's not testing the latest gadgets, you can find her chasing after her crazy lab or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California. E-mail Bonnie. 
I have a feeling Apple will add GPS navigation to the iPhone long before the Garmin introduces the Nuviphone.
Where's Garmin's App Store for their phone? Maps, web browser, e-mail, sure, everyone's got those, now. The current bar is an app store and a good developer toolkit. That's going to do for the iPhone and Android what the iTunes Store did for iPods. RIM and Palm are both trying to do their own versions, and of course Microsoft has made their usual announcements hoping to spread FUD before even beginning to work on anything (won't work, this time, though).
That's not to mention that there appears to be a lack of media playing functionality in those screenshots, much less an integrated media marketplace (a la the iTunes Wifi Store and Android's built-in Amazon MP3 Store).
Might as well be Archos or SanDisk or a home appliance maker like Maytag announcing a phone.
the nuviphone looks good but its about more than the hardware these days
1. get the maximum benefit from being an early entrant to the Android smartphone market (sales purely due to pent-up Android demand).
2. focus on the differentiating features of their Android offering (car dock,high quality navigation system,...).
3. immediately benefit from the Android ecosystem (e.g. Android Market).
Unless Garmin has plans to make this smartphone one that stands out from the pack, i just dont think GPS alone will be a true magnet for potential buyers. I guess we'll see, it's way too early to speculate!
- by January 20, 2009 11:03 AM PST
- I agree with you guys that the app store is important. I want to see it too. Frankly, I am not very fond of Garmin's website so let's hope that any improvement for the sake of updating apps on Garmin devices improves their site user-friendliness as well.
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(8 Comments)Regarding the usefulness of a GPS device with phone. that's not all the Nuvifone is. Sure, you already know that, but the Nuvifone - when it is released - will have the most reliable and trusted GPS device built in. It's hard to see it this way because of all of the other touch-enabled devices out there, but it really will be the first of its kind. That is, of course, if Apple does not release a GPS enabled iPhone and iPod Touch first.
I also believe that market demand will be there if the device is released by June - as promised... the second time. The other names of GPS enabled phone makers mentioned does not take into account that these phone makers produce something just to get a share of the existing market. How versatile do you think these devices are? I've tried the Instinct, and it really stinks. Of course, I've also tried the iPhone so there's no comparison between Samsung's device and the iPhone.
I like the way the iPod Touch feels better than Garmin's GPS devices, too. That scratch resistant glass front and the interface is so classy and elegant. But I've seen my share of iPods and iPhones that have been dropped. That glass rarely survives the fall. You won't get the same result when you drop a Garmin device (though I do not recommend it). At any rate, the Nuvifone touch screen seems to be the same as all other Nuvi devices. I can hardly wait to get one in my hot little hands.