Garmin is releasing an Android Garminfone GPS-centric smartphone on June 9th, 2010 ( with carrier T-Mobile). Map applications are one of the top uses on smartphones, and as a result GPS manufacturers are trying to reclaim part of the mobile market.
Make no bones about it, this is a GPS smartphone. Garmin’s UI is mainly focused on that aspect of the device. If you weren’t Android savvy, you would have no idea that is at the core of the device. It makes it incredibly easy to use as a Map device, but for those looking for the pretty wallpapers, or fancy widgets to update Social Networking statuses, you will have to work around their UI wrapper.
The hardware is designed to best be used in landscape mode, and the 3MP camera is decent enough for traditional short-range pics, but don’t expect to be printing out 8×10 glossy’s.
Overall, the Garminfone is snappy, clean, and works just as you would expect. Button placement and responsiveness is good. There are some nice features that the standard Google Maps turn-by-turn navigation doesn’t give you, and accurate traffic updating is a huge deal, which is why you would rely on an experienced GPS company like Garmin. However, Android’s built-in street-view approach to turn-by-turn is definitely a cooler way to navigate. Whether that is really a practical thing, or just a flashy gimmick, it up for interpretation by the driver.
Between the Garmin provided (POI) Points Of Interest library, gas prices service, or the free (as part of the purchase price of the phone) traffic integration, getting a GPS-centric device ensures you a consistent and easy to use user experience. When you are clueless to where you are, and you need directions fast, it certainly is a comfort to have a reliable, well thought out device.
Let us know what you think!
Specs:
Size: 4.57 x .49 x 2.46 inches
Weight: 4.9 ounces
Networks: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, GPRS EDGE Class 12, UMTS HSPA 2100/1700, HSDPA Cat 8, 7.2 Mbps
Platform: Android
CPU: Qualcomm MSM7227
Memory: 4GB Flash + 256 MB SDRAM + 256 MB ROM; accepts microSD cards
Memory Slot: micro-SD™ (support SDHC)
Connectivity: WLAN 802.11b+g, USB v2.0 (HS), Bluetooth 2.1
GPS: Qualcomm GPSOne, Assisted GPS, Aided GPS and standalone GPS supported
Display: 3.5″, HVGA 320 x 480, TFT capacitive touch
Battery: 1150mAh Lithium Ion
Camera: 3 Mega-Pixel, Auto Focus
Advance Navigation/LBS feature: North American maps & POIs, Connected Services1, Indoor location, Junction view with lane assist, Where am I?, Where’s My Car Parked?, Track Logs & Route Planning
Phone Applications: Google™ Search / Gmail™ / Google Calendar™ / Google Talk™ / Google Maps™ with Street View / YouTube™ / Picasa™ / Panoramio™ / Android Market™
Price (EST): $199 w/ 2-year contract
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