Garmin planning Android-powered handsets for late 2009

Some interesting news is coming out of the Garmin camp this fine morning, including word that the company somehow managed to buck all manner of economic trends and boost its holiday sales by 50 percent over 2007. (Apparently peoples' 401(k) valuations weren't the only things getting lost this year.) The company also confirmed that its Nuvifone, which is getting a bit long in the tooth despite being unavailable, is indeed still coming -- but won't be hitting Taiwan at least until Q2 of next year, and there's no indication of whether we'll be seeing it a little earlier 'round these parts. Finally, and most intriguingly, is confirmation of what the company plans to do first with that freshly laminated Open Handset Alliance membership card: multiple new Android phones are said to be in the works, due for release sometime in the second half of 2009. No further information is available, and while the smart thing might be for Garmin to focus on getting its first handset out the door before drafting a successor, we think any excuse for a new costume on our favorite green Android is a good one.

[Via GPS Tracklog]

[ILoveApple @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:54AM]

Mein Kampf!

[kjb434 @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:05AM]

Do you really know what that means?

[skyblaze @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:11AM]

iloveapple:

shut up.

[skyblaze @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:01AM]

good morning, engadget

[grabbydad @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:05AM]

I think this is a great move on Garmins part. One of my biggest gripes with my Nuvi is the software. Yea, it's easy to use, but it's locked down. I would love to be able to sync my Nuvi with Google maps. Hopefully Android will be ported to their GPS devices as well as their -yet to be released- phones.

[tony @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:20AM]

late? 2009

[broli @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:25AM]

Haha yeah.

By the time they release every mobile device out there has been hacked to run android. I don't know why it takes some dude one day to port Android to a device but a full blown company needs a year.

[Adderz @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:35AM]

A day?

I have a Polaris and its been taking us months to even get a toe in the door. The work that needs to be done is so complex it takes someone who does that kind of thing for a living.

In all of XDA Developes, we have one single person who can confidently do it and succeed.

I dont think its the phone itself causing the delays. It would be the licensing bull crap, production abilities, sourcing the hardware etc etc

[broli @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:13AM]

Get educated. Working at Chrysler like a sheep won't help you much in porting Android you know.

[TJ @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:29AM]

I'm starting to think that bloggers love Android for the sole reason that it's easy to meld logos onto the little green guy. Not complaining, just making a statement.

[chefgon_ign @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:30AM]

The android is the most lovable OS mascot ever. Poor Tux is crying in a corner somewhere.

[Boarderwoot @ Dec 22nd 2008 10:56AM]

Android's gettin all ready for NYE, all he needs is a noise maker.