The New Nation - Internet Edition

IT DESK REPORT

The Garmin Apple announced the iPhone a little over a year ago, and major mobile phone makers have still not managed to produce a worthy equivalent.

Whether it be the missing touch screen, insufficient internet access, or an overflow of functions that Apple didn't include in the iPhone for good reasons, the iPhone remains unmatched despite all efforts.

The Touch from HTC and Qbowl from Samsung came the closest to matching the iPhone, and aren't even from pure mobile phone manufacturers. Maybe one can't think like a mobile manufacturer in order to build a really good mobile. After more and more mobile manufacturers, with Nokia at the lead, pushed into the successful navigation industry, Garmin has now decided to turn the tables.

The navigation specialist and US market leader has announced their first mobile phone for the summer, and it looks like Apple will have a reason to fear the competition this time. Really nothing so amazing. While the touch screen seems like a huge innovation in the mobile world, navigation devices have been outfitted with this type of display for years. Furthermore, Garmin took a good look at the iPhone and simply did the same thing.

For example, the nuvifone has no keyboard. Playing MP3 and MPEG4 videos are planned as multimedia functions. An integrated camera should also be able to record films. And then in comparison to the iPhone, they have added a little extra. The nuvifone will obviously be outfitted with numerous navigation features.

After all, Garmin's nuvis without a telephone function have a great reputation. The basis of which should be, next to some map material, different Google services with information about on one's current location. Moreover, the nuvifone will also possess UMTS and HDSPA in addition to WLAN; thereby making it a better equipped web browser than the iPhone.

No one has seen the nuvifone yet. Garmin wants to present a prototype at the Mobile World Congress taking place next week in Barcelona. Then we will likely learn a little more about specifications and measurements. Garmin has announced a third quarter release. But no information was given regarding possible pricing.