US company Garmin Ltd. has announced a partnership with Taiwan's Asustek Computer Inc. to develop and make co-branded mobile phones starting with the Garmin-Asus nuvifone G60.

G60

The nuvifone G60 will be launched later this month in Barcelona and will be available in stores starting June 30.

The nuvifone G60 is a touchscreen phone device that will enable users to obtain driving directions, weather and traffic information and connect to social networks as well.

Functions/specifications of the first Garmin-Asustek phone are:

  • Quad-band voice, tri-band data for anywhere, everywhere voice and high-speed wireless Internet
  • Wi-Fi b/g with WPA encryption
  • Desktop web experience with full HTML browser
  • Location-based applications, including real-time traffic information, gas prices, flight times, weather and more
  • Geo-tagged SMS, email and photo sharing
  • Ciao!™ Location-based Social Networking platform that integrates compatible social networks into one easy-to-use interface
  • Large screen with portrait and landscape view of each screen and virtual QWERTY keyboard on touchscreen
  • Award-winning Garmin navigation experience, with voice prompted, turn-by-turn directions that speaks street names
  • Optimized for pedestrian or automobile use with included car mount
  • One-step navigation from contacts, email and local search results
  • "Where am I?" safety feature displays your current address and nearest police, hospital and fuel services in one click
  • Pedestrian mode for in-hand navigation

A joint statement said that more products will be coming this 2009.

It is expected that Garmin and Asustek will announce their partner-telcos on or before the MWC in Barcelona, Spain.