UPDATE: Garmin is saying that the DigiTimes report has “many inaccuracies” and that they will release a statement to clear things up. Or maybe they’re just going to try and put the cat back in the bag! Garmin Android phone confirmed!
We were expecting the nuvifone in Q2 next year, but this tidbit attributed to Tony An, Garmin’s Asia Pacific marketing director, made us go “wha?”
Taiwan market in the second quarter of 2009, An noted. Garmin also
plans to launch self-developed Android handsets in the second half of
2009, with production to be outsourced.“
While it says nothing about these Android units being available in North America, it is rare for Garmin to launch a product not featured in its home market.
So there you have it; nuvifone in Q2 and a separate Android line in the second half of the year. Looks like Garmin has a clear strategy to take advantage of the expanding cellular navigation market. Not only do they have software solutions for phones from other manufacturers, they are aiming for the hardware side of the equation as well, and not in a timid way. No longer betting everything on the nuvifone, this should increase their chances of success in a tough market, and allow them to take advantage of what they learn working on muliple platforms with multiple carriers.
Via DigiTimes.
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