May 01, 2008

Nuvifone news and rumors

Garmin_nuvifone

During yesterday's quarterly earnings announcements, Garmin said that the nuvifone would be delayed until the early part of the fourth quarter of this year.

Engadget apparently missed that, but is touting a survey asking folks if they would pony up $499.99 to AT&T for the nuvifone along with a $19.99 data/navigation plan.

With the price of subsidized smartphones dropping like crazy, this seems high, though the data plan sounds reasonable. The fact that they mention a data/navigation plan makes it sound like the maps will be off-board, served up over the 3.5G connection.

I've been holding off getting a smartphone, but will probably succumb to the nuvifone. So I hope to post a full review here, even if it is six months from now.

May 1, 2008 8:42:08 AM | Garmin, Hardware

6 Comments

amimu

I also like concept of nuvifone, but you mention "The fact that they mention a data/navigation plan makes it sound like the maps will be off-board, served up over the 3.5G connection.". If this is true, it is pretty bad because I dont want to get stranded in some remote areas without wireless conenction and no maps on the GPS. Ideally GPS should be separated from phone features and should be independent. For example, if I do not have SIM card, GPS should still work. Otherwise it will be a lame design and will turn me away. Even if I do not have contract with ATT after 10 years, the GPS should still work.

Posted by: amimu | May 03, 2008 at 01:32 AM

Rich Owings

amimu,

Excellent point. And I may well have jumped the gun with that assumption. The "navigation" part of the plan could include quarterly map updates and traffic services.

Posted by: Rich Owings | May 03, 2008 at 08:56 AM

KW

AS MUCH AS I LOVE GARMIN GPS, I REFUSE TO PAY 499.00 FOR THE NUVIFONE. IS IT REALLY 300.00 BETTER THAN THE IPHONE? I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOWARD TO THE NUVIFONE COMING OUT DURING THE 3RD QUARTER BUT NOW THAT HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK TO THE 4TH QUARTER AND THE HIGH PRICE, LOOKS LIKE I WILL BE GETTING THE IPHONE AND KEEPING MY NUVI 200.

Posted by: KW | June 11, 2008 at 08:09 AM

Rich Owings

KW,

I don't think we know what the pricing will look like, but I bet the iPhone price impacts it.

Posted by: Rich Owings | June 11, 2008 at 09:55 AM

KW

Has any one heard any news lately on the Nuvifone

Posted by: KW | July 14, 2008 at 08:40 AM

Rich Owings

No, but here is a hi-res video...

http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2008/06/18/video-garmin-nuvifone-shown-off/

If we haven't heard any announcements by then, I expect we'll learn more on Garmin's quarterly financial conference call on July 30.

Posted by: Rich Owings | July 14, 2008 at 08:44 AM

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