Alright, everyone, settle down. I know the Google Maps Navigation stuff is pretty amazing, but let’s not write off the traditional GPS makers just yet. They’re not going anywhere for a while. Your parents and friends will see to that.

Hopefully the sudden market loss that companies like Garmin and TomTom saw yesterday will wake the companies up and see that they are doing it wrong. They are in the habit of producing 78 different versions of the same GPS. Each model steps you up $20 and adds another feature. It’s a ridiculous business plan and totally opposite what successful companies are doing.

But it’s true. Google dropped a bombshell on GPS makers yesterday with its free navigation tool that trumps almost anything currently available. The Android 2.0 app is about as robust as you can get thanks to the always connected Android OS and almighty Google. You can simply say “Where is the Best Buy in Flint, MI” and it will take you there. All this is free from the “do no evil” company, Google.

Standalone GPS devices are a dying breed. Anyone with a half-way decent smartphone can get from point A to point B with a few taps of an onscreen keyboard and it’s abundantly clear that standalone devices will end up being the the province of old folks. That said, TomTom and Garmin are seeing roses and puppy dogs.

Oh, nuvifone. How we loved you and forgot you. Now that almost every featurephone comes with GPS navigation, both of your models might finally launch on AT&T. Just think if you would have got your act together a year ago, you could have ruled the market before there was a market.

In January of 2008, Garmin announced the Nuvifone. They were a bit light on details at the time (Who would offer it? How much would it cost?) but promised that it would be on the shelves by the third quarter of the same year.

Well, that quarter passed. Then the next one. Jump forward a few more, and we’re in the third quarter of the next year – but the phone still isn’t available. Well, not outside of Taiwan, at least. As of today, it has been 1 year, 6 months, and 6 days since Garmin announced their phone. During today’s conference call, Garmin announced that the nuvifone will be available stateside in the fourth quarter (though they still wont disclose which carriers are involved). Even if they get it out by the first day of Q4 (September 1st), that’s 580 days from announcement to launch. Does anyone care anymore?

Amazon has knocked $30 off the Garmin nuvi 265T GPS system today, bringing the price to $150 with free shipping. Perhaps more enticing than the price, though, is that you get free traffic data for the life of the device.

Do you remember where you were back on January 30th of 2008? CrunchGear was at a Garmin event in New York City watching the GPS company announce its very own smartphone. Fast forward to today, and the device is finally about to ship. Two devices, actually — the Linux-based nuvifone G60 and the nuvifone M20, which runs Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional.

The Garmin nuviphone G60 will come out one day, friends, most likely during the second quarter of this year. And when it does come out, there will be much rejoicing: it’s the last time the Garmin-Asus operating system will be used on a device. From there on out it’s Android and Windows Mobile all the way.

Wired seems to truly enjoy the new Garmin Forerunner 310XT, a follow-up to their popular 405 and 305 models.

Sure this is old as all get out and Star Wars is better than Star Trek, but if you want your Garmin StreetPilot or Nuvi to sound like Scotty on the toilet you can download and install these Star Trek sounds at your leisure.

This clever little piece of kit is basically a great GPS unit bolted to a 3.2-megapixel camera with 4X zoom. It also has a tri-axial compass so you don’t have to have the unit level to tell your direction.

Garmin is in the GPS biz and it seems like the company is always outing another unit; last month was the 1300 series. The newly announced 1490T combines everything a drvier would want out of a GPS unit, including free, lifetime traffic alerts, Bluetooth wireless calling, and lane assist mode. All this is displayed on a large 5-inch screen. But wait! There is more!

Two Forerunner updates to the 405 and the 305 add improved calorie and heartrate monitoring systems to an already impressive set of features. The 405 is my favorite workout watch. It picks up GPS signals in a few seconds. The update adds “comfort” and a more accurate heartrate measuring system to the watch.

Using algorithms developed by exercise scientists and world-class athletes, Forerunner 405CX monitors the micro changes in a user’s heart rate and uses that detailed information to better calculate the number of calories burned during aerobic activity. Whether out running, on a bike, in step class or on a hike, Forerunner 405CX users will get instant gratification as they see the results of their hard work. And those workouts will be more comfortable than ever, as users will have the choice of two additional form-fitting bands to accommodate large and small wrists alike. At only 60 grams and available in a new deep blue color, Forerunner 405CX fits in at the gym or around the office.

The 310CX also gets an upgrade in sensitivity. Read on for full press releases.

Tanita just announced that they’ve teamed up with Garmin to create a wireless body composition monitor to wirelessly link all kinds of fitness information to your PC or even a Garmin FR60 Fitness Watch. Now you’ll be able to constantly track such exciting information as your body fat percentage, hydration levels, and metabolic age rating in real time.

Garmin’s got some new GPS units, y’all. The nüvi 1200 and 1300 continues Garmin’s long tradition of producing multiple models that do almost the same exact thing, but then forces potential buyers to stare at a chart to see which features they can live without to keep the cost down. Basicly there are eight models coming out with little difference between them.

In light of MWC next week, Garmin-Asus has made a full announcement about the upcoming nuvifone product line. Which, btw, isn’t nearly as fun as spy shots and rumors, but we’ll take it. The original G60 that we have been hearing about for nearly a year seems like it will finally be released and might be a solid contender judging by the specs. Garmin-Asus is announcing a new player however, in the smallish WinMo 6.1, M20 handheld that naturally runs Garmin’s mapping software which might make a larger splash at MWC than its big brother.

Amazon.com has a Gold Box deal today on the Garmin nüvi 760 4.3-inch widescreen Bluetooth portable GPS system. It normally goes for $240 or so but you can get it for $199 (today only).

When I received the Garmin nuvi 880 for review, my initial reaction was a lackluster “Oh great, another GPS.” As usual, I opened it up and started using it without reading the manual. After using it for a few days, I hadn’t really changed my opinion. After reading the manual, though, and really taking advantage of what this GPS offers, my tune changed considerably.

Garmin is expecting ‘08 to be a banner year despite the piss-poor economy. When all the beans are counted and the ducks are lined up, the largest GPS manufacturer expects to have shipped 50% more GPS units this year verse in previous years.

Update after the jump