Garmin nuvifone delayed until 2009

GPS-enabled 3G touchscreen mobile will not launch this year

30 July 2008 15:45 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Whilst reporting on its second quarter financial results, Garmin has revealed that its nuvifone GPS-enabled mobile phone has been delayed.

Garmin says that meeting carrier requirements is the reason for the delay, rather than any problems with the phone itself. The satnav company states:

"The nuvifone will not be available in fourth quarter as previously announced. While we had hoped to have carrier launches in the fourth quarter, we have found that meeting some of the carrier specific requirements will take longer than anticipated."

"We remain pleased with carrier interest in the device and are working toward making necessary design changes to meet their requirements. We anticipate launching the product during the first half of 2009."

The nuvifone, in Garmin's words, is "an all-in-one, sleek and slim, touchscreen device that combines a premium phone, mobile web-browser, and cutting-edge personal navigator".

Putting back the launch 'til next year may well hurt Garmin, as since the nuvifone was announced the iPhone 3G has since launched - complete with 3G and GPS - the two big advantages the Garmin effort was trumpeted as having over Apple's offering.

Full tags

Phones, Mobile phones, Garmin, Car And GPS