Garmin launches first cell phone
It will be presented to the public at the Mobile World Congress (3GSM) in Barcelona and at CeBIT in Hanover. "We have integrated pretty much every application that is currently state of the art into our nüvifone," explains Cliff Pemble, President and COO of Garmin. "Mobile phone and GPS users around the world have been eagerly awaiting this breakthrough product - a single device for all applications."
nüvifone as the ultimate multitasking device
The nüvifone is an innovative cell phone with a wide range of pioneering and user-friendly features. It is operated entirely via the touchscreen and is the first device of its kind to combine first-class 3.5G cell phone functions with an Internet browser, data connection, messaging applications and a personal navigator. When switched on, the 3.5-inch touchscreen initially displays three icons - "Call", "Search" and "Show Map" - which the user can use to access all of the nüvifone's functions.
Calling, getting in and driving off
Calls can be made conveniently by selecting a name from the contact list or by entering the phone number using the on-screen keypad after tapping the call icon. Getting into a car while on a call and riding to a destination is the easiest thing in the world with the nüvifone. When the nüvifone is placed in the car cradle, the GPS function is automatically activated, the navigation menu is called up and the call is switched to "hands-free". This allows the user to continue their call without interruption and at the same time start planning their route with ease.
Users who are already familiar with the Garmin nüvi product range will immediately find their way around the navigation functions of the nüvifone. The device is equipped with a database containing millions of location entries, allowing the driver to quickly find a specific address, call up the name of a place or search for a destination using predefined categories. Crossing by crossing, the user is then guided to his destination by voice output. If they miss a turn on the way, despite the ongoing announcement of the street names along the way, the nüvifone automatically recalculates the route and guides them back on the right path.
Google search, e-mail, SMS and messaging - all integrated
The nüvifone is the first Garmin device with Google search functions that access the virtually unlimited point-of-interest information on the World Wide Web. When the nüvifone user enters a search term such as "cafés", Google automatically sorts the results according to distance from the current location and their relevance. The information provided by Google includes a web-based rating so that the user can select the most suitable destination and be guided directly to it. In addition, the nüvifone's integrated web browser with premium features and touchscreen operation offers an optimal mobile surfing experience. With e-mail, SMS and instant messaging, the nüvifone also provides comprehensive text messaging functions.
Security first
The "Where am I?" function ensures maximum personal security. With a simple touch of the screen, the user can call up the exact longitude and latitude coordinates of their current location, the nearest address or the nearest hospitals, police stations and petrol stations at any time. The nüvifone also makes it easier for users to find their vehicle in an unfamiliar area or in a crowded parking lot by automatically marking the location where it was last removed from the vehicle holder. To complement the navigation functions, the nüvifone offers access to Garmin Online, an online service with constantly updated information on traffic conditions as well as fuel prices, stock market prices, sports results, news, event information and weather reports.
Last but not least, the nüvifone is equipped with numerous mobile entertainment applications. Photos taken with the integrated camera are automatically tagged with the exact latitude and longitude of the location. The images can be saved so that the user can be guided back to the location where they were taken or send the image to a recipient by e-mail as a destination. Via the Google Panoramio website, the nüvifone offers direct access to millions of location tagged photos of landmarks and points of interest around the world. With the Panoramio photo search, sightseeing in any location, no matter how unfamiliar, becomes a particularly enjoyable experience. The multimedia functions of the nüvifone are rounded off by an integrated video camera as well as an MP3 and MPEG4/AAC player.
The nüvifone is factory-fitted with maps of North America and/or Eastern and Western Europe. According to Garmin, the nüvifone will be available from the third quarter of 2008. Exact information on prices and distribution partners is not yet being announced.
Source: Press releaseNote: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.