When I first heard about a Garmin phone running Android, I thought it would fuse two great features into an excellent device. Now that we’ve gotten a look at the Garminphone, I’m a bit less impressed. A couple of years ago — even early last year, really — I think this would have made a bigger impact. As it stands, though, it seems like an already outdated model. Unsurprisingly, it resembles the Garmin nuvifone, an AT&T exclusive (apparently), which also seemed a bit behind its time.
That’s not to say that the Garminphone is a poor model. For what it is — a Garmin-quality GPS receiver that has smartphone capabilities — it actually does reasonably well. The camera clocks a bit low at 3MP, but the 3.5-inch HVGA display looks pretty good (in theory, of course). Still, unless you particularly like the Garmin navigation system, I’m not sure this provides any real value over other Android handsets. Unless it comes in significantly lower than the Nexus One, I think that, with Google Maps, will handle your navigation needs just fine.
There is one neat feature to this, though. It includes Garmin Voice Studio, an application that allows you to record a voice — your own or someone you know — and use that to speak directions to you. I prefer the Homer Simpson voice myself, but if you’d rather have the comforting voice of your significant other reading your directions, you have that option. You can read more about Garmin Voice Studio here.
Unfortunately, it appears to rock Android 1.6. This is particularly discouraging not only because there are newer builds available, but also because Android 2.2 could be coming soon.
The device should launch, complete with window mount, later this spring, though there’s no set date or price on it. Bold prediction: this is Garmin’s last foray into the smartphone arena.
