Android smartphone by Garmin in 2009
Android smartphone by Garmin in 2009 – While it still awaits its Nuvifone, scheduled for 2009, Marketing Director of Garmin Asia Pacific, Tony An, announced want to develop a range of phones based on Google Android. This range could be available during the second half of 2009.
Despite the difficulties of the global economic crisis, Garmin, the world leader in sales of PND (Personal Navigation Devices) not doing too badly, as revealed its financial results for the third quarter of 2008.
And encouraging sales of the end of the year, particularly in the U.S., are expected to achieve the goal of 18 million PND passed in the year, or 50% higher than during 2007. The Asia-Pacific is also a very interesting Garmin, with which the PND sales should also increase by 50%, in the words of Tony An, director of marketing for Garmin this area.
The company has expanded its distribution network in certain markets, like Taiwan, enabling it to compete with local players such Mio Technology (owned by Mitac International). But it also has advantages in its race with the Nuvifone, GPS smartphone announced in early 2008 and should finally be marketed in the second quarter of 2009.
It should allow Garmin to focus on the lucrative market for smartphones GPS for a Purpose, while enjoying a form factor for every day, with great touch interface covering the entire front of the terminal.
But there may be some additional surprises in 2009. Indeed, Tony An has indicated that Garmin plans to launch smartphones under its own Google Android in the second half of 2009.
These products are developed internally, but their production is outsourced to Taiwanese assemblers. The Nuvifone should not be a first attempt to test the market, but the first in a series of smartphones allow Garmin to move on this sector increasing.
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