will nuviphone help GRMN?
Jul 30, 2008 garmin, geotag, gps navigation, gps phones, iphone, nuvi
Garmin’s attempt to jump into the cell phone market is taking a little longer than expected. nuviphone, the revolutionary gps navigation system with 3G cell phone and its own OS is now expected to be available in first quarter of 2009 instead of being ready for the holiday season.
Features of nuviphone is pretty impressive. Take the 3.5″ screen for example, or the ability to connect to the internet with a full browser on 3G networks. Geotagging of photos is of course standard on such a device and there are multimedia playing capabilities too.
However the news today about the delay must’ve scared off some investors. The stock fell more than 20% just today to about $35, and down from 52wk high of over $123.
We’re not stock analysts here at Navigadget so we would like to hear from our more informed readers about GRMN. Do you think now is a good time to buy? Will nuviphone be a success and help the stock recover?
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July 30th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Actually, I think Garmin’s release said the nuviphone would be released in the first half of 2009, not the first quarter.
I’m no stock analyst either and I’m not about to play one on the internet. However, two things trouble me about Garmin.
First, the obvious, the delay in the nuvifone. You have to wonder if they will be able to successfully pull this one off. Not only have they missed the 2008 Christmas shopping season but who knows what Apple will have out by then. Say it comes out in March. That’s 8 months. 8 months is a lifetime in the electronics world. It may be that by the time they get it to market no one will care.
Second if I read their announcement right, while sales are up, profit margins are down. So they are selling more gadgets but making less profit on each one. That trend can’t continue forever.
July 30th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Sorry but the Garmin nuvifone is doomed. I hopefully wish that Garmin will pull this product before it hits the street.
There is no way they can compete with the iPhone 3G and Blackberry Thunder. Analysts knows this and so does carriers.
Sorry Garmin but it’s too late for you in this space.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I highly disagree when you say that it can’t compete with the iphone. I think it could easily compete in certain areas. The apps are the true killer for the iphone, but gps is much better on garmin. I really hope that garmin can pull this one off and make a kick ass phone! I know I’ve been dying to see it since I heard about it.
August 1st, 2008 at 5:43 pm
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August 3rd, 2008 at 11:48 am
i still have faith in Garmin. They come out with great products when they do. nuviphone will be a great hit.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I believe Garmin can have a better outcome if they release smart. The iPhone’s GPS system doesn’t compare to the Garmin Nuvi GPS systems. Though Garmin might have an issue comparing with the phone options iteself. I think if they handle their marketing right, the dependability and trustworthiness of Garmin Nuvi systems will achieve success.
August 20th, 2008 at 8:47 am
My opinion is that they very well might compete with the iPhone, their design is very beautiful and straightforward and nicely GPS based.
But….:
- I fear that through this postponing of the release they will be indeed to late hitting the “iPhone” market.
- I would like to buy it “NOW” !!!!!!
- I don’t want to get stuck with a provider… certainly not in Europe, which is my home, I just want to buy it !!!, but if it takes too long there will be some asian clone that will deliver the same and earlier.
Carol
August 28th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Has anyone heard about what kind of app support this will have? What OS is it based on? Did garmin use a modified version of a gps OS? Or is it a modified WM os? I’m dying for this phone, but if it has no app support, then I might as well go with something like the samsung omnia or something like that.