Olathe, Kan.
– After many
delays, the Garmin GPS/smartphone, or Nuvifone, is on track to launch in
the U.S. in the fourth quarter and will be accompanied by an advertising
campaign, said Garmin.
On a conference call today with analysts, Garmin reiterated that
its Nuvifone, originally due in the third quarter 2008, is in final testing
with U.S.
carriers.
Garmin would not reveal how many carriers are testing the
product.
The previously announced Garmin-Asus Nuvifone G60 (based on a
closed, Linux-based system) is already starting to ship in Asia, and the M20
(based on Windows Mobile 6.1) will ship in August in Asia,
said Garmin.
On a global basis, the Nuvifone should contribute $100 million to
$200 million to Garmin revenues this year, said the company.
In reporting on its second-quarter
earnings, Garmin told analysts it expects its unit sales in personal
navigation devices (PNDs) for the full 2009 to be flat with 2008, although
average selling prices will be down by 16 percent.
PND unit sales for the quarter grew in the U.S. and Asia but were offset by a 20 percent
decline in unit sales in Europe, said the
company.
