Got a bad sense of direction and a thing for Sith Lords? Well, now you can scratch both of those itches with a downloadable graphics and sound effects (pew pew!) bundle for your Garmin GPS.
Garmin makes navigation hardware. Navigon makes navigation software. And now, it seems, these two star crossed lovers are getting an arranged marriage, with a subsidiary of Garmin to acquire the privately owned German Navigon. The deal includes custody of Navigon’s earlier kids – the iOS and Android mobile navigation apps. [Navigon]
Garmin confirmed its purchase of rival European GPS company, Navigon AG. Cliff Pemble, Garmin’s president and COO, said that the deal will help further Garmin’s expansion into the automotive OEM business. Misery loves company in a phone eat GPS world. [Press Release via TechCrunch]
Having a watch with GPS powers can be invaluable for a runner, now able to track their position, speed, and a multitude of other stats with precision. But do you really want to be fussing around with buttons? No way.
We didn’t care much when the official Garmin-ASUS collaboration ended this week, but ASUS still has exclusive rights to Garmin’s navigation tech for Android phones apparently. iPhone and BlackBerry users can expect to see a navigation app from Garmin soon, though how soon is now? I do not know. Morrissey doesn’t know either. [Digitimes via AndroidCommunity]
Garmin’s $US23 pet rock “Chirp” can last up to a year in the wilderness as it records the number of people who stumble across its coordinates. It’s for the more adventurous types who love nothing more than geo-based activities.
Touchscreen Edge 800 to make its Aussie debut at the UCI Road Cycling World Championship in Geelong later this month.
You couldn’t fault someone for not knowing Garmin also makes mobile phones, as the company hasn’t exactly set the industry on fire with the likes of its M10. With that in mind, Garmin is mulling over a potential exit from mobile phones altogether.
