Dome-on with the Garmin nuviphone

Pretty? We think so, Garmin's nüviphone is set to -- once it actually lands, that is -- bring a handset to market that thinks GPS first, phone after. Of course, this handset is no slouch in the tech-goodie department, featuring quad-band GSM, tri-band HSDPA, Bluetooth, a 3 megapixel shooter, and a gorgeous 3.5-inch touchscreen. The nüviphone includes maps of Europe, North America, or both, real-time traffic, weather, local events, gas prices, and the like. No word on pricing or release date, but believe us when we say we'll be keeping our eyes wide open watching for this one. Sadly the only specimen we could manage to find was this version that refused to come out of its acrylic bubble, so if the pics in the gallery below look a wee bit odd, that's why.



















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PEZ @ Apr 4th 2008 7:02AM
For me, its either this or the 3G iphone. What sways be either way is googlemaps for the iphone, and built in nuvi for this. Which I am familiar with. These pictures however, the clock dosnt seem to change on the two frontal photos.. maybe they were taken seconds apart. Or, its just a model.
mrjasjit @ Apr 4th 2008 7:31AM
1. Hope this thing is released soon (read NOW).
2. Hope this thing uses standard usb connectors, not some stupid proprietary Garmin crap.
3. Would love to have one for each family member - no more lost folks driving around!
nxtiak @ Apr 4th 2008 7:37AM
I've have/owned several Garmin gps units.
Street Pilot c530, GPSMap 60csx, and Nuvi 250w.
They all have mini-usb.
The c530 has a proprietary plug for the car charger it came with, but it can also charge through the mini-usb.
nxtiak @ Apr 4th 2008 7:35AM
Hopefully the real time traffic, gas prices, weather etc comes from the HSPDA and not a seperate subscription to Garmin like their normal GPS with real time traffic, etc..
Hugh Newmark @ Apr 4th 2008 9:40AM
I can't wait for this to come out, it'll finally give me a reason to leave Metro PCS and buy a real phone.
Dave @ Apr 4th 2008 11:26AM
just get Outlook on there and I'm sold
Anonymoose @ Apr 4th 2008 12:44PM
uhh, pez, are you really trying to compare a GPS-less google maps with an actual gps turn by turn navigation tool of awesomeness?
Anthony @ Apr 4th 2008 2:38PM
I hope it supports large memory cards & has a good media player (codecs). If so I might consider a switch (sorry Nokia- but your GPS, quite frankly, sucks).
Constable Odo @ Apr 4th 2008 5:16PM
Nice-looking mockup. Too bad it doesn't work.
mrjasjit @ Apr 4th 2008 9:13PM
Oh Crap! It looks eerily like the HTC Touch Cruise! Hmm...makes you wonder if HTC is third-partying this for Garmin!?!?
sacosta74 @ Apr 4th 2008 11:26PM
This phone looks very promising. Large screen, 3G, size, GPS.
While we wait for more specs, I wonder what is the platform (OS). Third parties apps make a platform more attractive.
Steve @ Apr 20th 2008 11:51AM
Anyone know if this is going to have NA1700 band on the 3G chip? Hope they are showing T-Mobile some love.