A number of real-life photos of the new Android-powered Garmin phone, called Garminfone just got leaked to TmoNews.com. With the full Garmin navigational experience loaded into the phone, Garminfone is clearly directed towards those of us that may be directionally challenged.
Let's have a look, shall we? Here are the most interesting of the leaked pictures:
Here’s their initial impression:
With just a few shots we get a quick glance at what we honestly expect to be just a moderate Android device…with no real “wow” factor.
For those that may have missed what makes this phone so special (which is nothing), below is an excerpt from the features, specifically the key Garmin-related features.
Key features of Garminfone
- Premium Navigation and Design Features
- Voice and on-screen turn-by-turn directions with automatic re-routing for walking, driving or public transit
- Lane guidance, junction view, speed indicators and expected time of arrival
- North America maps, including nearly six million points of interest are pre-loaded on the phone for fast and always-available access
- Multiple positioning technologies provide location no matter where you are
- Pre-installed travel applications include dynamic, real-time traffic, weather and localized information, including nearby gas prices, restaurants, movie times and more
- Garmin Voice Studio, an exclusive Android navigation application that allows customers to record custom voice directions from family and friends
- Premium services including flight status, local search and more
- Large 3.5-inch capacitive touch display with auto day and night modes
- Charging dashboard and window mount included
The obvious question when looking at a product like this is: is there really a market for it with so many navigational apps out there already?
If you want a phone, wouldn't you want to go for something a bit more high profile, such as the Nexus One, and just use Google Navigation or any of the other available premium map products, including Garmin's own?
If you really want a GPS, wouldn't you rather get a dedicated GPS ($100-200 nowadays), so that you don't have to pay for the phone service?
I just fail to see the market for such a device, at least in the current market. Garminfone is a dollar short and about 3 years too late.
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