Garmin Nuvifone gets FCC approval

Every once in a while we're reminded that Garmin's Nuvifone -- announced nearly a year ago -- still exists, and this time around it's none other than the FCC doing the reminding. The curiously-named "Calf" from ASUS turns out to be the Nuvifone once you click through to the label diagrams, and test documentation reveals that 3G is being tested on both Bands II and V -- that's North America-friendly 1900 and 850MHz, for those who aren't up to snuff on their spectrum terminology. With gub'mint certification under its belt, maybe we can push that 1H 2009 release window to 1Q, eh, Garmin?

[Thanks, cl347bv]

[Setnev @ Dec 14th 2008 12:30PM]

Yeah we all know that Engadget loves the iPhone and kisses Apple's ass from time to time, but 1000 stories about it, thats a little exagerated.

That's like saying there was a fire and there was 1000 firefighters. There was not 1000 firefighter and if there was, they'd be all standing around being like "What are we gonna do, there's like a 1000 of us!"

[chickenator @ Dec 14th 2008 11:48AM]

Finally!

[nolimitanggere @ Dec 14th 2008 11:50AM]

"Finally!" is the new "FIRST!!!1!!!". sigh...

[El Taco @ Dec 14th 2008 2:33PM]

I don't get it. What's so great about it getting through the FCC? Was there any doubt that it would? Or is this just supposed to be an update on the progress of the phone?

[Darius @ Dec 14th 2008 5:34PM]

If it goes through the FCC it usually means they're planning to release it in the US. Given how ethereal this thing has been I don't think anyone really knew where it was headed.

[Anon1mus @ Dec 14th 2008 11:50AM]

Dang. I wish I knew more about technology so I could read through this without having to wiki just about every other word :( Still very cool though.

[Oli D @ Dec 14th 2008 11:52AM]

What the hell is it?

[Setnev @ Dec 14th 2008 12:07PM]

Um a phone!!! But hey, that's just my guess!

[crow610 @ Dec 14th 2008 1:56PM]

Just ask "Faith No More"

[gtxhckr818 @ Dec 15th 2008 2:13AM]

http://letmegooglethatforyou.com/?q=garmin+nuvifone

[Setnev @ Dec 14th 2008 11:56AM]

Is there any pictures of the rumored NuviPhone? I wanna see the final design.

[iCandy @ Dec 14th 2008 12:10PM]

are you kidding me?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwCJMqFWUck

[scott @ Dec 14th 2008 7:54PM]

google is your friend. use it.

[ScOObyDoo @ Dec 14th 2008 11:58AM]

No love for T-Mobile :(

[Wobbly @ Dec 14th 2008 12:09PM]

Vaporware no more!!!!!!1

Still, it'll probably take AT&T six more months to rape it's firmware into submission. I hope it's available unlocked/unbranded, and I want to know how much it costs to use the GPS per month (is free too much to ask =p)

[Setnev @ Dec 14th 2008 12:34PM]

Nevermind, Engadget must have removed his comment.

[Oli D @ Dec 14th 2008 12:46PM]

Oh... where'd my comment go :(

[Brian @ Dec 14th 2008 12:50PM]

Hurrah!

Bring it on! I've been putting off my GPS purchase for this!

[unregistered @ Dec 14th 2008 1:12PM]

what the fuck does ANY of this have to do with the iphone?
the only thing just as bad as the apple fanboys are the apple haters. and actually they're the same thing. neither of them can stop talking about that shit. you people need to just go ahead and get a life.

[Oli D @ Dec 14th 2008 1:58PM]

I've got one...
It wasnt a loaded remark, it was an analysis of the statistics of the site we all know and love.

Why are you so angry?

[KilgoreTrout @ Dec 14th 2008 1:16PM]

Superficially this thing seems like coolness itself (even better than my sublime Omnia) and that OS is particularly intriguing (and it seems devilishly fast and precise too) it remain to be seen if all the essential features are there too and how well they perform (what's the browser? how's it? push e-mail? Camera/videocam? modem? BT/IR/wifi? coffee grinder? etc, etc?).
Could it be that this nuviphone takes ages to come out because Garmin wants to make it just right?
After all SE took ages to deliver the X1 experia and they made it just wrong anyway.
Will my Omnia still be the best smartphone of the galaxy once the Nuviphone and the N97 will hit the streets (or the dust)?
When contemplating the immensity of the implications of these mind boggling questions we are confronted with the inadequacy and the limits of the human mind (specially of some specific human minds) in providing us with the answers we crave.

[kasper @ Dec 15th 2008 2:26PM]

It doesn't look very fast to me. The LaptopMag-youtube (see other comment for link) demonstrates the phone. Especially the phone section strikes me to be kind of slow to start up. But perhaps that will be better when it's finally released.

Unfortunately I don't think we will be seeing this in Europe. Garmin have had so much trouble finding operators I think they will wait 'till Android is fully up and running to launch a nüvifone II world wide.

[thedesolate1 @ Dec 14th 2008 3:50PM]

I was craving for this phone since it was announced but now it is a little behind the curve. It will be interesting to see how it fairs. I will be keeping an eye on the reviews.

[PEZ @ Dec 14th 2008 4:28PM]

I wonder how Garmin joining the Open Handset Alliance and Android team is going to effect how the nuvifone gets released.

[Thats What He Said @ Dec 14th 2008 5:47PM]

i know how
itl have Android