Garmin To Sell Wireless Phone In Asia

DAVID TWIDDY

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Navigational device maker Garmin Ltd. will start selling its oft-delayed wireless phone in Asia within the next month, Chief Operating Officer Cliff Pemble told shareholders Friday.

Speaking at the company's annual meeting in suburban Kansas City, Pemble said the nuvifone will go on sale in selected Asian markets in late June or early July. But he said a release date for North America and Europe is still on hold.

"We believe we're getting very close," Pemble said in response to a question from an investor.

The nuvifone, two designs of which were on display at the meeting, is a touch-screen smartphone with features of Garmin's line of Global Positioning System-powered devices, such as turn-by-turn driving directions, traffic warnings and a search engine for nearby restaurants and stores.

Originally announced in January 2008, the nuvifone is Garmin's entry into the cellular phone market and considered key to the company's future. Cell phone carriers have increasingly been chipping away at Garmin's market, adding navigational features to their phones.