Garmin: 'we'll have to make decisions

 

Garmin: 'we'll have to make decisions within the next couple of quarters' on future of phone business

http://tinyurl.com/2a8b735

--
If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else. - Yogi Berra

I don't know why Garmin got

I don't know why Garmin got into the phone business, they should continue to be the leader in the GPS environment and forget the cell business.. That is just my opinion..

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NickJr Nuvi 3597LMT

Depends

nickjr wrote:

I don't know why Garmin got into the phone business, they should continue to be the leader in the GPS environment and forget the cell business.. That is just my opinion..

I can't comment on them being the leader in gps's, because i do not know if the competition has the same amount of issues that Garmin has when they bring out their products. None seem to work properly from the get go. Always waiting for a fix. When it does finally come, like my 765t, they discontinue it. Would i support them by getting one of their phones? NOT a chance. My opinion also.

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2 DriveSmart 65's - We do not live in Igloo's and do not all ride to work on snow mobiles.

They'd be better off to do apps for phones

and stick to Garmin nüLink!™ devices.

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

Garmin's phone business

They just are getting into a market that they do not belong in. Stay with the GPS market and make apps for the smart phones.

--
"If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score" Lombardi

Garmin: 'We'll Have To Make Decisions

I have both the Garmin Nuvifone G60 and the Garminfone (Nuvifone A50). I like both of them. They aren't perfect, but few electronic devices are. I was sort of disappointed when I read that they might quit making phones. The flip side is, I liked the Garmin Mobile XT that I used with my Pharos GPS Phone 600. If they were to bring back Garmin Mobile XT and offer it as an Android Application, they might do pretty well. I suppose that since Google Maps are free on Android devices, they might have to think carefully on how to price this to be competitive against CoPilot Live v8.

I think the nature of consumer electronics is such that some things are "game changers." As much as I love my electronics, I am sometimes slow in switching to newer formats. My old 1995 Chevrolet Silverado pickup still had the OEM AM/FM cassette tape player in it until recently. A year or so ago I finally broke down and bought an HD radio that also has a CD player. Ironically, HD radio never really caught on and I didn't buy many CDs! However, I do use the "iPod jack" and connect it to my Slacker Radio. Wow, that is a couple of things that never caught on:

-Slacker Radio

-HD Radio

I sort of got into the whole MP3 bit for a while, but I have found that for whatever reason(s) I like to just select the format I like and listen without having to download. That is why I like HD radio when a station in my area played All Comedy Radio. They switched formats and I lost interest in HD radio. That prompted me to learn more about Slacker Radio, which was actually an alternative (less expensive) than XM and/or Sirius satellite radio.

But I digress, since things aren't static in consumer electronics, it is just a matter of time when the GPS devices that we are using right now will seem ancient. Unless I am way off base, I don't think that the technology is fully matured just yet. I look forward to they day that the gap between new roads being built and the GPS maps having the roads in the software narrowed way down. I still hope that since memory is pretty reasonably priced, that there would be a way to "fine tune" the geo-coding and reverse geo-coding of GPS devices. It sounds to me like traffic services still have rooom for improvement, too.

It certainly seems to me as if the future is "connected" GPSs. I think the Garmin Nuvi 1690 and 1695 seem to be on the right track, that is is stand alone GPSs have a future, and I think they do. We are seeing the popularity of all-in-one devices right now, but "one trick ponies" still have their place. Cameras, for example, are still being sold even though many smart phone and even many non-smart phones have camera functionality built in.

.

Slacker Radio did catch on... over the cell phone connections though, via internet!

--
nüvi 3790T | Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable ~ JFK

Slacker Radio

I have XM in the vehicle for my listening pleasure... and I've not been one to even need it on my phone, because when I'm likely to want to be entertained for a while without a computer or TV, that's what the iPod is for smile I've become accustomed to multiple devices, and I like it that way, and I'm not going to change. smile

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

XM

Is XM radio better now that they merged with Serius? I got XM for 90 days with my 2008 Hyundai but wasn't impressed (poor sound quality) and also had a bad experience with their predatory marketing practices. I have been thinking of trying it again and wondered how it has changed since the merger.

--
Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

Garmin-ASUS Collaboration Said To Be Ending In January

Could this make way for a Garmin Android application in the future? Or, for that matter, does that mean there might be blow out prices on the remaining Garminfones on Amazon this winter?

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/22/garmin-asus-collaboration...

"It was hinted at back in September, now the Chinese-language Economic Daily is reporting that the Garmin-ASUS joint venture will end in January after the two-year deal expires. We've heard this from our own sources as well. At that point, Asus will return to flooding the market with indistinguishable product iterations and Garmin will go back to watching GPS-enabled smartphones (and now tablets) eat away at the dedicated personal navigation device market. ASUS is expected to continue making GPS-enabled smartphones under the ASUS brand with Garmin providing navigation and mapping software."

A tip of the hat to Spazmogen on another forum for this find:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69O1B020101025

Asustek to end cellphone cooperation with Garmin

(Reuters) - Taiwan's Asustek Computer Inc said on Monday it would end its mobile phone cooperation agreement with Garmin, clearing the path for the navigation device maker to exit the smartphone business.

Asustek, which sells laptops and mobile phones carrying its own name, is set to give more details on Tuesday, a company official said.

"The smartphone market is seeing huge growth, but the Garmin-Asus alliance has, to date, delivered disappointing volumes," said Canalys analyst Tim Shepherd.

Garmin will now likely seek to close its own smartphone business as it has indicated it is ready to do, Shepherd said.

In September, Garmin, the No. 1 U.S. maker of personal navigation devices (PNDs), told Reuters it will decide over the next couple of quarters the future of its struggling smartphone unit, and is ready to exit the business if it does not achieve success.

A spokesman for Garmin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

For Garmin, the smartphone exit could improve its earnings and ease the investments it's been making in order to try to impact the competitive smartphone market.

"It makes sense and it wouldn't be surprising should it prove true," Oppenheimer analyst Yair Reiner said.

Garmin could now be at liberty to pursue the business of selling navigation apps for the iPhone and Android devices, Reiner said.

Its Dutch rival, TomTom, offers an application for the Apple iPhone.

Garmin smartphone sales totaled $27 million in the June quarter.

Shares of Garmin were up 1 percent at $32.20 in early Monday trade on Nasdaq. They have lost 15 percent of their value in the last six months, trailing a 2 percent drop in the broader S&P index in the same period.

The challenge for Asus would be to create a smartphone business on its own or with a new partner.

Without the value-added differentiation opportunity in the form of a high-quality navigation offering its alliance with Garmin provided, Asus faces the challenge of offering something unique in the crowded smartphone market, Shepherd of Canalys said.

(Reporting by Argin Chang; Additional reporting by Tarmo Virki in Helsinki and S. John Tilak in Bangalore; Editing by Louise Heavens)
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It looks like I have my answer right here:

http://garmin.blogs.com/pr/2010/10/garmin-and-asus-announce-...

Garmin and ASUS Announce New Mobile Handset Strategies
Posted October 26, 2010 | 12:30 AM in Automotive/Mobile , Corporate | Permalink
Schaffhausen, Switzerland and Taipei, Taiwan/October 26, 2010/Business Wire — Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN) and ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (TAIEX: 2357) today announced a strategic decision to alter their current co-branded business model for location-centric mobile handsets. The two companies will not introduce any new co-branded handset models going forward, but will continue to sell and support models that have already been introduced to the market. ASUS will design and manufacture new models of ASUS-branded mobile phones, some of which will include preloaded Garmin navigation and Location Based Service (LBS) applications. Garmin will expand its mobile handset application development and plans to offer navigation and other applications through certain consumer application stores.

Since the announcement of the Garmin-Asus strategic alliance in February 2009, the companies have developed and marketed six devices. These products are available through carrier and retail channels in a large number of countries. Customer support continues to be of utmost importance to Garmin and ASUS, and Garmin-Asus smartphone customers will continue to receive product support, software updates and/or downloads from either Garmin or Asus, depending upon the region.

Additional details about ASUS and Garmin’s future product roadmaps will be discussed during their independent third quarter earnings calls on October 28, 2010, and November 3, 2010, respectively.

About Garmin-Asus
Garmin-Asus is a co-branded strategic alliance that enables Garmin Ltd. and ASUSTeK Computer Inc. to combine their complementary resources to develop world class LBS-centric mobile phones.

About Garmin Ltd.
The global leader in satellite navigation, Garmin Ltd. and its subsidiaries have designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications since 1989 – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200.

About ASUS
ASUS is a leading company in the new digital era. With a global staff of more than ten thousand and a world-class R&D design team, the company’s revenue for 2008 was 8.1 billion U.S. dollars. ASUS ranks among the top 10 IT companies in BusinessWeek’s “InfoTech 100”, and has been on the listing for 11 consecutive years. ASUS was also selected by the Wall Street Journal Asia as No.1 in quality and service.

ASUS is a registered trademark of ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Garmin is a registered trademark of Garmin Ltd. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 26, 2010, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-Q is available at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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Like XM now

alandb wrote:

Is XM radio better now that they merged with Serius? I got XM for 90 days with my 2008 Hyundai but wasn't impressed (poor sound quality) and also had a bad experience with their predatory marketing practices. I have been thinking of trying it again and wondered how it has changed since the merger.

Just got a 2011 Camry in mid summer. The built in XM is great. Sound is very good. I know my son had it in a Sienna a few years back and I was not impressed but it was an add-in unit. My built in works and sounds great.

--
NUVI 660, Late 2012 iMac, Macbook 2.1 Fall 2008, iPhone6 , Nuvi 3790, iPad2

XM - the Good and the BAD

alandb wrote:

Is XM radio better now that they merged with Serius? I got XM for 90 days with my 2008 Hyundai but wasn't impressed (poor sound quality) and also had a bad experience with their predatory marketing practices. I have been thinking of trying it again and wondered how it has changed since the merger.

I have XM in both our cars - one is an old portable unit, that plugs into the sound system and the second came with the car. I notice a SIGNIFICANT difference in sound quality, with the built-in unit far superior.

Being from Canada, I originally chose XM over Sirius because it carried NHL hockey grin With the merger XM added a few good channels from Sirius (Underground Garage, Margaritaville, etc.). Sadly they have not transferred CBC News over... But I enjoy the music and the reception is great pretty well everywhere (living in a valley, I can't get FM stations from up top... an the local FM station does not have much power).

I have complained about their marketing practices - particularly the lack of notification of fee changes or change options. They send out monthly announcements encouraging me to buy a new unit or add on another user, but won't let me change my current package. I have sent five or six emails requesting integration of my two units on one bill - to no effect.

Despite my dislike for their marketing department, I still like their product - and I listen to XM whenever I head out of town.

XM Radio

alandb wrote:

Is XM radio better now that they merged with Serius? I got XM for 90 days with my 2008 Hyundai but wasn't impressed (poor sound quality) and also had a bad experience with their predatory marketing practices. I have been thinking of trying it again and wondered how it has changed since the merger.

I have XM in my 2009 model and I have been very pleased with the sound quality. (Speaking as a sound tech for the last 20 years of so.) I recently drove to Miami, FL from Cincinnati and didn't need to change the channel that I was listening to the entire trip. I will, however, admit that their marketing practices do need an upgrade.

--
With God, all things are possible. ——State motto of the Great State of Ohio

Looks like some decisions have been made

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*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

Felt like they are not much

Felt like they are not much better at their core business either

Garmin and ASUS Announce New Mobile Handset Strategies

I would have preferred to have them simply offer it to any Android device, rather than an exclusivity agreement. Anyway, I would like to hear from others here about this. Would you buy a Garmin app for your smartphone? If so, what would you be willing to pay for it. With Google Maps being a free application, they need to be careful to price this competitively. With some Garmin GPS units being sold new or refurbished for under $100 and Garmin Mobile XT being available in its day for under $100, I certainly have to think the application would be prices less than that. Also, it looks like Garmin City Navigator North America NT can be found online from some dealers for about $40, so I am guessing that puts their Garmin Android app for Asus to be available for somewhere between $40 and $80.

.

Navigon just released their android app and its regular price will be $60 (its currently on special for $40). TomTom's iphone app is $60. And CoPilot Live's android app is an amazing $5.

So it seems that $60 is the max for gps apps. If Garmin prices their app any higher than that then I'd say they're doomed.

I agree

They should spend their time and resources to improve on their GPS technology. There are still major issues with navigation and traffic.
I love my Nuvi but Waze does a great job with navigating.

Old thread…

bsp131 wrote:

They should spend their time and resources to improve on their GPS technology. There are still major issues with navigation and traffic.
I love my Nuvi but Waze does a great job with navigating.

“Bsp131”, you are replying to an 11-year old thread

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John from PA

A Forum Glitch

John from PA wrote:
bsp131 wrote:

They should spend their time and resources to improve on their GPS technology. There are still major issues with navigation and traffic.
I love my Nuvi but Waze does a great job with navigating.

“Bsp131”, you are replying to an 11-year old thread

This ancient thread showed up today under Popular Content Todays section and I almost fell for it too. I've noticed that it's quite often that a thread pops up on this forum for no apparent reason from years ago. Some system glitch brings up an old thread and if one is not paying close attention, it is easy to post to a decade-old topic.