Dome-on with the Garmin nuviphone
By Sean Cooper 
posted Apr 4th 2008 6:33AM
posted Apr 4th 2008 6:33AM
Pretty? We think so, Garmin's nüviphone is set to -- once it actually lands, that is -- bring a handset to market that thinks GPS first, phone after. Of course, this handset is no slouch in the tech-goodie department, featuring quad-band GSM, tri-band HSDPA, Bluetooth, a 3 megapixel shooter, and a gorgeous 3.5-inch touchscreen. The nüviphone includes maps of Europe, North America, or both, real-time traffic, weather, local events, gas prices, and the like. No word on pricing or release date, but believe us when we say we'll be keeping our eyes wide open watching for this one. Sadly the only specimen we could manage to find was this version that refused to come out of its acrylic bubble, so if the pics in the gallery below look a wee bit odd, that's why.
For me, its either this or the 3G iphone. What sways be either way is googlemaps for the iphone, and built in nuvi for this. Which I am familiar with. These pictures however, the clock dosnt seem to change on the two frontal photos.. maybe they were taken seconds apart. Or, its just a model.
1. Hope this thing is released soon (read NOW).
2. Hope this thing uses standard usb connectors, not some stupid proprietary Garmin crap.
3. Would love to have one for each family member - no more lost folks driving around!
I've have/owned several Garmin gps units.
Street Pilot c530, GPSMap 60csx, and Nuvi 250w.
They all have mini-usb.
The c530 has a proprietary plug for the car charger it came with, but it can also charge through the mini-usb.
Hopefully the real time traffic, gas prices, weather etc comes from the HSPDA and not a seperate subscription to Garmin like their normal GPS with real time traffic, etc..
Nice-looking mockup. Too bad it doesn't work.
I can't wait for this to come out, it'll finally give me a reason to leave Metro PCS and buy a real phone.
just get Outlook on there and I'm sold
uhh, pez, are you really trying to compare a GPS-less google maps with an actual gps turn by turn navigation tool of awesomeness?
This phone looks very promising. Large screen, 3G, size, GPS.
While we wait for more specs, I wonder what is the platform (OS). Third parties apps make a platform more attractive.
I hope it supports large memory cards & has a good media player (codecs). If so I might consider a switch (sorry Nokia- but your GPS, quite frankly, sucks).
Oh Crap! It looks eerily like the HTC Touch Cruise! Hmm...makes you wonder if HTC is third-partying this for Garmin!?!?
Anyone know if this is going to have NA1700 band on the 3G chip? Hope they are showing T-Mobile some love.