As part of its quarterly earnings report, Garmin announced delays for its first mobile phone. While they had previously announced the Nuvifone would be available sometime during the fourth quarter, don’t expect to see one now until the first half of next year.
Here’s what the press release said:
The nuvifone will not be available in fourth quarter as previously announced. While we had hoped to have carrier launches in the fourth quarter, we have found that meeting some of the carrier specific requirements will take longer than anticipated. We remain pleased with carrier interest in the device and are working toward making necessary design changes to meet their requirements. We anticipate launching the product during the first half of 2009.”
Here’s the company’s full quarterly report, if you’re interested.
Apple got carriers to change the way they do business to meet Apple’s needs yet Garmin is issuing a press release stating that they are delaying to redesign and meet the carriers needs. I need to go to whatever negotiation training Apple uses!
Yeah, weird. Peter and I talked to a Garmin rep at CTIA back in April and he was really sketchy and secretive about this phone — almost nervous. Makes you wonder how long the company’s been having problems with this thing.
I think you are right on about them having problems. If they want to grab any market share they needed a fast launch with killer turn-by-turn Nav, before Apple puts something on the iPhone or Google/Android launch Nav apps.
Garmin rules the Nav space, and even an OK phone with great nav would do well, and give them a platform and user base to build on.
Garmin is seriously missing their window to get users who want this feature on a phone by giving Apple and Google/Android six months to roll nav apps out.