Garmin-Asus nüvifones Coming in 2009

Garmin and ASUS have announced that they will be coming out with co-branded GPS-enabled mobile phones in 2009 – the Garmin-Asus nüvifone series. All Garmin-Asus nüvifone devices will be LBS-centric devices that connect, communicate and navigate. The first device, the touch screen Garmin-Asus nüvifone G60, is expected to be available in the first half of 2009.

LBS functionality in the nüvifone G60 gives you turn-by-turn, voice-prompted navigation features like those found on Garmin portable navigation devices. The nüvifone devices will have preloaded maps and millions of points of interest – search by street address, business name or for a destination by category. The nüvifone G60 also includes quick access to online points of interest through internet enabled local search. It also includes a social networking application, Ciao!, that allows you to connect to numerous compatible social networks on one device.

More information will be announced at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona, Spain, February 16-19, 2009.