Garmin-Asus nüvifone finally hits Asia

The Garmin-Asus nüvifone comes in Linux and Windows Mobile flavours

The location-focused Garmin-Asus nüvifone has finally hit the shelves in Asia, and will be out in the UK later this year.

Originally announced in January 2008 solely by Garmin, the project was resurrected in February once an alliance with Asus was struck.

Two versions will be available, the Linux-based G60 and the Windows Mobile 6.1-based M20, both of which have touch-screen displays that feature three primary icons: Call, Search and View Map. All other features are available through a gesture-based interface.

"We can't wait for our customers to start using a nüvifone," said Cliff Pemble, president and chief executive at Garmin. "Our lives are all about location. The nüvifone is designed around that premise, and that's what differentiates it from the myriad of other phones on the market."

Unlike most smartphone navigation systems which load maps dynamically over a data connection, the nüvifone handsets come with preloaded maps of North America, Eastern and Western Europe or specific Asia-Pacific regions.

Users will have access to full voice-prompted turn-by-turn navigation using the Garmin navigation engine.

"Whether it's talking and navigating simultaneously, geo-tagging a photograph or navigating to an address on the web, the nüvifone seamlessly links navigation with other commonly performed activities," said Benson Lin, vice president and general manager of the Handheld Business Group at Asus.

The nüvifone G60 is available in Taiwan from today and in Singapore and Malaysia by the end of August. The M20 will be available from next month in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.

Although no exact date is available yet, both devices are on schedule to be released in Europe later this year, probably in the fourth quarter. Pricing is not yet confirmed.