Garmin teams up with Asus for Nuvifone series

(Credit: Garmin)

On Wednesday, Garmin and Asus announced a strategic alliance to develop and distribute co-branded GPS-enabled smartphones to be known as the Garmin-Asus Nuvifone series. This includes the original Garmin Nuvifone, which was introduced over a year ago, and will now be rebranded as the Garmin-Asus Nuvifone G60.

The partnership isn't a strange one, considering that Asus has been working on the original Nuvifone for over a year as the ODM (original device manufacturer). Both companies still plan to ship the Nuvifone G60 in the first half of 2009. In addition, Garmin-Asus said it will offer several Nuvifone models this year--all of which will continue to focus on GPS and navigation features, though it was not clear whether they would all run the Google Android operating system.

In fact, Garmin-Asus plans to introduce its next device at the Mobile World Congress, which runs February 16-19 in Barcelona. Both Kent German and I will be there, so we'll definitely keep you updated with the news, photos, and video. I'm also hoping to press the company for a more definite release date for the Nuvifone G60. I mean, come on already!

[mobilemavy]

YAWN.

[bonesbautista]

Streeeeeeeeettttttch. Yawn.

[forever4now]

The next one could be interesting, if it's running Android. The more Android device choices, the better.

[uroxsmysox]

Run it on android and then we'll talk.

Run it on the iphone then we will buy.

[seven7dust]

if it runs android it will be a killer phone !
they could also just make it a GPS standalone with android !