Garmin's Android Application Soon At Mobile World Congress In Bacelona In February?

If true, it might end a long-term misconception promoted in the past by some long-term posters on this site regarding Garmin and Android software.

Garmin's agreement with Asus finally expired.

Except from all the information we have available, there was never any exclusivity agreement.

The only exclusivity agreement that seems to have existed was with the stillborn GarminPhone (which was outdated when released)--more likely, they've decided to expand beyond Asus devices because their main competitor (TomTom) now has an Android app out

So I guess all the articles about the agreement are wrong...

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20101026PD210.html

http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/27/garmin-navigation-to-be-a...

http://gpstracklog.com/2013/01/why-theres-no-garmin-android-...

It's called Navigon...

Gadget Guy,

Thank you for posting the links. I found the article at GPS Tracklog to be most interesting to me. Even though there is already the Navigon Android app, I think they will roll out an Android app under the Garmin name. They already have Garmin and Navigon apps for iOS and Windows Phone, so having under the Garmin name for Android seems reasonable.

I do think that name recognition is important to consumers, especially those of us here in the United States. To some people, the name Garmin is almost synonymous with GPS. It is sort of like the brand name Vaseline being the name most recognized for petroleum jelly.

Now for the rest of the world, it is a different story. I have read that the name Tom Tom is most associated with GPS in the UK. Since Navigon started in Germany, I am not sure what its reputation is in the rest of Europe.

Pricing will be a huge factor, both whether there is indeed ever a Garmin Android app offered for sale and sales if it is offered. As the writer in GPS Track Log pointed out, Google Maps is free. Many people will not even consider buying an app when they can get something that is "good enough" for free.

It looks like Garmin StreetPilot Onboard For iPhone is $49.99 for the USA. Navigon Android for all of North America is $59.99. The TomTom Navigation app for Android is $24.99 for the USA, $52.99 for the USA and Canada, and $65.99 for all of North America.

From my experience, some other apps for iOS are more expensive than comparable Android apps. With that in mind, I suspect that if, in fact, there is a Garmin StreetPilot Onboard U.S.A Android, that it will have to be either the same $49.99 price as the iOS version or possibly a bit less.

Also, as a point of comparison, it looks like the Navigon USA for Windows and Garmin StreetPilot For Windows Phone are both $29.99.

I also find it interesting that Garmin really doesn't seem to do much to promote the Navigon name,at least from my perspective here in the US. Sure, they mention it from time to time on the Garmin Blog, but that is about it.

It would not surprise me to see the Navigon Android price lowered a bit.

Here is what the Garmin news was a year ago during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain 2012.

http://garmin.blogs.com/my_weblog/2012/02/navigon-apps-to-ge...

It's hard to see what value the Garmin app might add to the existing navigation on my android smartphone, on which there's currently a choice between google navigation (no additional charge but wifi required) and Vz Navigator, (charged against the data plan).

I'm really surprised Garmin didn't announce an android app at MWC. I'd love to be a fly on the wall at Garmin headquarters to hear what's taking them so long to release an app.

My guess is that it is extremely difficult to compete with a paid app against one that fulfills over 90% of the casual user's needs that comes pre-installed on their phone as part of the operating system installation.

Especially now that recent version(s) of Google maps/nav make better use of locally cached map data (for users who know how to use it), including doing automatic rerouting, which is something google nav would not do without a data connection several last summer, after they enlarged the maximum size of the map area that can be cached.

Though Google maps/nav still disappoints for those without a data connection (for instance, it still needs a data connection to start Nav, even for a trip already planned in maps and cached locally), google is safe in assuming that's the other 10% of the market.

Google is vigorously going primarily after urban smartphone users, but also constantly working to make their product better... faster than PND makers seem to be working to bring their products to Android. Look how long TomTom was delayed. And all the of these are basically PNDs ported to a mobile OS, and with a few exceptions (like TomTom's copy & paste on iOS only as of now) do not take much advantage of what can be done on a multi-function device.

Although I don't use it myself, a user at gpspassion.com has posted that he has downloaded Garmin's Smartphone Link for iPhone from iTunes today.

This has been verified by another user on another site.

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=147476

Good tip!

and hasn't changed since. Garmin bought Navigon, so they could compete with the other android devlopers.

Under Garmin's ugly divorce with Asus,which was caused by the defunked Nuviphone, Garmin entered into a noncompete contract with Asus stopping Garmin from introducing their own software to the Android OS.

Thus no Garmin written navigation software for Android.

Looking at old posts you will see I have been a Navigon user since Navigon was a startup company in the GPS field.

Those mentioned both need service to operate, so there's the the reason for the value you missed seeing.

Oh please, not again.
Just read Gadget Guy's links below, That's why there is no Garmin written software yet. Maybe soon, until then use Navigon.

I likely am improperly remembering our debate regarding this. My entire issue with your position is your insistence that the Garmin/Asus arrangement was an exclusive one that lasted in perpetuity, forever denying Garmin access to the Android smartphone market. Why in the heck would Garmin agree to that? It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever and the shareholders would be totally up in arms if denied an opportunity to profit from hundreds of millions of smartphone owners.

Help me to understand your thought process on this, because it clearly is not a move that would be beneficial to the company or its shareholders.

P.S. The fact Navigon is owned by Garmin means the Navigon smartphone app is Garmin software, despite using the Navigon name.

LOL. Just because Garmin now owns Navigon does NOT make the Navigon software "Garmin" software.

General Motors owns both Chevrolet and Cadillac. Would you consider a Chevy the same as a Cadillac? If you would, I have some Chevys I'm willing to sell you at Caddy prices!!

Even Garmin acknowledges that Navigon is different than Garmin. Look at the Navigon logo on the Playstore. It states "Navigon - a Garmin brand"

you should mention Chevy and Caddy, a while back someone found out their Caddy had Chevy parts in it and sued GM.