Garmin
These days, every high-end phone worth its salt comes with mapping software and turn-by-turn navigation aids. Google
Well, Garmin will release the Android-based Garminfone on June 9, hoping to convince us all that a purpose-built navigating tool that also happens to do phone calls will serve you better than a phone with GPS features. Garmin's first attempt, the Nuvifone G60, sank without a trace last fall when reviewers found very little to recommend the phone. This time, Garmin relies on the already established Android platform with some navigational special sauce, which might iron out the worst of the old wrinkles.
Launch partner T-Mobile, a division of Deutsche Telekom
Garmin had better have one amazing GPS package up its sleeve, lest the Garminfone should follow its older sibling into rapid obsolescence. Consumer choice is never a bad thing, but I don't think consumers will choose this product.
In the long run, I think Garmin needs to find a smartphone designer sugar daddy, because stand-alone GPS gadgets won't cut the mustard much longer. Good luck finding a buyer, guys.
Am I being too hard on Garmin, or will its best efforts really never be good enough? That's a discussion for the comments box below.