T-Mobile drops price of Garminfone already

T-Mobile released the first Android-powered Garmin smartphone in May to mixed reviews, and slow sales.

This week, the wireless carrier has dropped the price of the phone, from $200 to $130, looking to keep the price competitive in a world where Froyo will soon be the norm.

The phone has a 3.5-inch screen, 3MP camera with autofocus, and because of the GPS, the pictures can be geo-tagged. The GPS, as standard, works over 3G and Wi-Fi.

While those specs are not impressive, the Garminfone is notable because of its GPS system, which has on-board US maps, text-to-speech, full driving/walking/public transportation directions, real-time traffic, weather, local events, movie listings and even gas prices.

The next best feature is "Garmin Voice Studio" which lets users "record and customize voice directions which can also be shared with family and friends."

Because it is more a GPS with phone capabilities than anything else, the device will come with a charging window and a dashboard mount for the car.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 9 Jul 2010 21:34

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5 comments

biglo30

Thats not a surprise, there are a lot of other better phones out there with a built in gps already so garmins try in this market doesn't look like it will have much success in my opinion.

9.7.2010 23:41 #1

KillerBug

Hey Garmin...here is a hint:

One of the best features of the android is 3rd party app support; even when it is in direct competition with Google. As for iPhone, they are happy to have apps that are in direct competition with Google; so long as it does not use too much bandwidth (an app that stores most data on the device would certainly qualify). If you want to make money on GPS phones, you can just sell apps for the GPS phones that people already have...there are so many millions of them out there that it is insane to bring out your own device, and to then limit your profits to that one device.

Oh, and it is time for a reality check...GPS-only devices are slowly dieing off. It is very hard to justify paying $100 for a GPS when your cell phone already does the job better. If you want to continue making money in the future, and you are determined to limit yourself to this one tiny segment of one market, then it is time to focus on software for devices made by other companies. I know it might be a scary transition, but it is time to face the fact that GPS-only devices will go the way of beepers before too long, and you can't compete in the smartphone world.

9.7.2010 23:42 #2

SProdigy

Originally posted by KillerBug: Oh, and it is time for a reality check...GPS-only devices are slowly dieing off. It is very hard to justify paying $100 for a GPS when your cell phone already does the job better. Not true at all. I'd say GPS sales are only tapering because they've become affordable to the point where everyone has them. We have 2 in my family alone.

That being said, there's no way I would use my iPhone for directions unless I'm in an emergency. A GPS works differently than a phone, plus being able to leave the GPS up on the dash, etc. and not screw around with a phone while driving is another benefit.

10.7.2010 09:20 #3

Mr_Pink

The headline is messy. It should read: T-Mobile already drops price of Garminfone.

Anyway, the specs on this phone don't seem that great, so I'm not surprised the price has already dropped.

I agree with SProdigy, GPS devices aren't going anywhere. Yes, smartphones can do the job, but I don't want to 1- drain my battery and 2- jeopardize my health while I fiddle with my phone trying to get the GPS going. Plus, GPS devices are constantly dropping in price, so it's not that much of a dent in the wallet.

10.7.2010 12:12 #4

KillerBug

Motorola makes a cradle for the droid; it suction cups to your windshield, and automatically puts the phone into GPS/car stereo controller mode. I assume similar cradles are available for most devices, or at least most android devices. Other than normal hazards of using a GPS, it is perfectly safe; my droid is actually safer than any GPS I ever tried; as I can just tap an icon, and tell it where I want to go (with my voice). If your phone can't even match the capabilities of an outdated POS like the original Motorola Droid, then consider it terribly outdated.

As for the power thing...it is in a car, and it is a generic USB charger (even the iphone can use a generic USB charger). You can get one on ebay for $1...and it is a good buy even if you don't use your phone as a GPS.

Oh, and I do have two GPS units; or I had them until I got my droid and then I gave those things away...good riddance to downloading an update just to find it trying to put me on a road that hasn't existed in 10 years the next day! Google maps isn't perfect...but it is far better than anything without 3G, or at the very least, anything that I or anyone I know have tried...and if finds EVERY SINGLE ADDRESS I enter, even when I enter them wrong, it still finds the correct address half the time! The only area where a normal GPS beats an android phone are special vehicle situations, such as truckers that must limit themselves to truck routs...and it won't be long before google realizes this, and closes the last loophole in their dominance of mapping. By this time, GPS units might have dropped to $80, but android phones will be $200 without contract, and free with contract...and where will garmin GPS units be then? In a dumpster? In a junk box? Being given away to friend after friend after friend as they all get androids?

Oh, and if I didn't make it clear enough that dedicated GPS units are going out soon; Garmin dumped millions into making a GPS android device...even they know there is no future in dedicated GPS. This device was a complete failure, but at least it shows that they know that their boat is sinking...now they just need to figure out how to patch the leak.

11.7.2010 13:41 #5

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