Wireless News

Garmin and AT&T have teamed up to offer a new GPS device that has connectivity to the internet provided by AT&T. The new PND is called the nuvi 1690. AT&T will be the exclusive wireless provider and the navigation device has a built-in AT&T modem.

The device has Garmin’s nuLink feature rich service that uses AT&T 3G to connect drivers to Google Local search. The local search provides information on weather, fuel prices, movie listings, flight status, local events, and white page listings.

Everything today is trying to tie in social networking and the nuvi 1690 is no exception. The device has Garmin Ciao service for location based social networking. The PND will sell for $499.99 and only includes 2-yers of AT&T service. After the first two years, the service will cost $5 per month.

Twice reports that the Garmin Nuvifone is due to hit the U.S. in Q4. I am sure the hope is that the device will grab some holiday sales. I think that with the proliferation of navigation apps for smartphones like the iPhone that less people are going to be wooed to the device because it has the Garmin name attached.

Garmin was mum on exactly what carrier the phone will be offered through, but did say the phone is in final testing. There are two Nuvifone models including the G60 with Linux-based OS and the M20 with Windows Mobile.

[via Twice]

There is yet another rumor floating around, this time its that there might be a different color for the Garmin Nuvifone.  Navigadget has reported that a reader sent a couple pictures of the Nuvifone in the pretty white shown here.  The photos could have been photoshopped, there is no real way to confirm as of now.  The phone is scheduled to come out in Q3 of this year and it has been rumored that it will cost right around $500.

Garmin probably thought getting into the mobile phone game would just be smooth sailing, but it looks like they’ve made a deadly miscalculation. Okay, that might be over-dramatizing the situation, but the PND-maker is facing a new lawsuit over its upcoming 3G wonder-device, the Nuvifone. Apparently, internet telephone provider Nuvio Corp. feels that Garmin has crossed trademark boundaries just a smidge, alleging the nav company is stepping all over its good name. “Our customers commonly refer to our service as the Nuvio phone,” said Jason P. Talley, the company’s CEO. Not only is the provider calling for a cease-and-desist on the use of “Nuvifone,” but it also wants kickbacks for past infringement, and termination of the word “Nuvi” on any device made by Garmin. Garmin spokesman Ted Gartner says the company has been using the Nuvi name since early 2006 in North America, and earlier in Europe.

Engadget scored some hands-on time with the hot new Garmin nuvifone. Joshua was told that even though this is a non-working unit, it’s pretty close to what the final weight will be. He commented that the nuvifone feels light and lean in your hands – it’s pretty impressive and clean design.

As you can see from the side-by-side comparison with the iPhone, the two are nearly identical in size. I can’t wait to test drive this bad boy, it’s been a while since I’ve been this getty-up on a phone.