Garmin + Asus = Location Based Phone

Garmin + Asus = Location-Based Phone

Posted by Sam Churchill on February 4th, 2009

Garmin and ASUSTeK Computer today announced a strategic alliance to design, manufacture and distribute co-branded location-centric mobile phones. Known as the Garmin-Asus nüvifone series, the companies expect to bring to market several Garmin-Asus nüvifone models in 2009.

All Garmin-Asus nüvifone devices will be LBS-centric devices that seamlessly connect, communicate and navigate, says the company. The original Garmin nüvifone, announced in 2008, will be re-branded as the Garmin-Asus nüvifone G60.

The Garmin-Asus nüvifone G60 is expected to be delivered in the first half of 2009, and additional information about the Garmin-Asus nüvifone G60 will be released at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, Spain, February 16-19, 2009.

The phone will feature Wi-Fi, stereo Bluetooth and Garmin’s proven personal navigation functionality. Connected Services will include localized content, such as traffic data, flight information and weather forecasts.

Garmin and Asus Nuvifone will run Windows Mobile and Android later this year, says Gizmodo. There’s no carrier or price announcement yet—Garmin says they are in active negotiations with GSM carriers in North America (AT&T and T-Mobile) and in Europe.

“We believe that converged devices are an emerging opportunity,” said Dr. Min Kao, chairman and CEO of Garmin Ltd. “This alliance is advantageous to both companies because it allows us to combine our resources and establish a strong foundation from which we will innovate and introduce the world to the benefits of LBS-centric mobile phones. We believe that through this strategic alliance we are uniquely positioned to deliver the world’s best integrated and most compelling GPS-enabled mobile devices.”

source : dailywireless.org