Comments on: Garmin Android In 2010, Do You Care?

By: Satvic

Satvic — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:38:29 +0000

The only thing Garmin has over Google is locally stored maps (who has 3g access when you’re out in the middle of nowhere), so yes, I’d be very interested. On the other hand Garmin has been consistently going down in terms of quality of their devices and maps (especially POIs), where Google truly shinges.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:13:27 +0000

Garmin makes more than just (IMHO) the best dedicated car GPS system around. They also make the GPS systems for hiking, flight, maritime use and other venues. The people who have no interest in or want to ditch the dedicated system will move to Google Nav. Personally, I’ll stick with my Garmin, because let’s be honest, while my Droid can do a lot, it doesn’t do a lot perfectly (ie, unlike a dedicated system) and there is a limit to multitasking and the battery.

By: Herman

Herman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:43:00 +0000

Yeah, another argument for dedicated GPS system.

9 out of ten times when I use a GPS it’s when I leave the country, living less than 7 km from the german border, and less then 50km from the belgium border. Crossing those with “online” navigation would mean a €1000 Euro phone bill.

In 5 years everyone will probable have Navigation on their phone, but not for now.

By: melwood

melwood — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:33:31 +0000

Ever thought about users not living in the US? Right now there is no Google Navigation app for them! Ever thought about e.g Europe? Traveling from one country to another with an online navigation app is a now go because of the roaming costs. So ther still is a market for good offline navigaiton software and for navigation devices!

By: Herman

Herman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:42:03 +0000

No (I don’t care). But honestly I’d rather buy a phone from a company that has experience in building phones, not navigation.

I need a dedicated GPS unit anyway, as my girlfriend will not be borrowing my phone. It’s going to be a Garmin or TomTom, whichever offers me the best deal. I couldn’t care less about the OS it runs on.

My phone, now there’s another story.

By: YankeeDudeL

YankeeDudeL — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:04:22 +0000

I’m a Droid owner, I may never care about another phone ever again. Ah, puppy love….

By: Pieter

Pieter — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:59:41 +0000

@monkey
i think he means the gps hardware. garmin will make sure that the gps hardware that comes with the phone will be top of the line. i havent tested out the droid gps, but i know for a fact that my g1 gps does not stand up to the challenge.

By: John V

John V — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:51:06 +0000

If I hadn’t gotten excited about the Nuvifone, I probably wouldn’t have looked into android options, and I might not have the Droid that I now love. It may not have gotten out there in time to really change things, but just the idea of it got some people who were looking to replace their phones, AND have a decent GPS, excited.

As I read somewhere else, what they needed to do was make it a top-of-the-line GPS device. I heard that they modeled it after the Nuvi 200-series, when they really should have put in all the features of the 800-series. Hopefully, they’ve learned their lesson. The fact that they’re moving to Android bodes well for the rest of the phone experience being better.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:41:41 +0000

@bengtb

I’m sure you aren’t talking about the new Android 2.0’s navigation app… I mean, it has its issues (such as the hilarity of the verbosity of a few of the road names and how long it takes for the TTS engine to spit it out) but I prefer it to my stand alone GPS. Especially after you factor the HUGE time savings that the search-by-voice gives you. <3 you Google Voice Search.

By: MonkeyCheese

MonkeyCheese — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:56:12 +0000

@bengtb
What GPS app did you test? Google Maps Navigation is only available for Android 2.0. The last I checked the Tattoo only has 1.6

By: bengtb

bengtb — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:38:00 +0000

I tested th GPS in my new HTC Tattoo using Android today and I must say that Google and Android has a veeery long way to go before you get the same experience from an Android Phone as from a dedicated GPS handheld(!) navigator.

If Garmin can combine the experience from their handheld GPS devices they have today with the flexibility of Android they will be in this game for a very long time. Whatever Google does.

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:34:49 +0000

WHAT is with the CAPS in THIS article? It DOES feel like I’m being YELLED at, occasionally. As a writer, you have more options for emphasis… e.g., bold, italic, underline. CAPS just doesn’t do it for me :)

By: MonkeyCheese

MonkeyCheese — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:23:54 +0000

@Del
I don’t think Rob is trying to say that Garmin will be going out of business cause of Google navigation on the Droid, but rather just a step behind. I’m sure Garmin knows that Google has the potential to make their navigation good enough that people won’t see the benefit in paying more money for a Garmin phone that doesn’t have the features of an Android based phone with Google Nav.

By: AGx-07_162

AGx-07_162 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:50:07 +0000

Garmin will have to do more with the phone than make it an GPS that can make calls. The Cliq gets its buzz from its “social skills”, the Droid because of its sleek design, specs and best of all being the first Android phone with 2.0 but with the release of Google Navigation, Garmin’s GPS Navigation buzz has been cut into. I have been waiting for the Garmin phone for the simple fact that I have no doubt that they will release a device with high specs and a great GPS reciever and software but I am also enthusiastic about Google Navigation. Its something good that can only get better.

By: ba

ba — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:17:12 +0000

i glanced over the page and saw gaming. now im sad