Garmin goes SmartPhone

[Chiba]

Garmin International Unveils Smartphone Navigation System
Source: The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Missouri)
Publication date: 2007-10-04

Oct. 4--Garmin International on Wednesday launched a new software product that turns a smartphone with Global Positioning System technology into a Garmin navigator.

Garmin Mobile XT links a smartphone's GPS technology with navigation mapping software to offer the first phone-based navigation system that doesn't require subscription fees.

"It's a one-time investment that gives customers full-featured GPS navigation on their smartphone whenever and wherever they need it, including areas outside of wireless network coverage," said Charles Morse, Garmin's director of mobile and portable navigation device marketing.

Garmin Mobile XT retails for $99.

The software is pre-loaded on a memory card that will fit any phone with a microSD, miniSD or standard SD slot. The card also accesses Garmin's online database of traffic information and gas prices.

Shares of Garmin continued to fall Wednesday. Shares closed at $96.52, down $3.58, or 3.5 percent.

Garmin shares have dropped more than 20 percent since mobile phone manufacturer Nokia announced plans Monday to buy Garmin's primary map supplier.