Garmin-Asus Partners with Telecommunications T-Mobile USA
First Android-powered Navigation Smartphone from Garmin-Asus
Coming to T-Mobile Later This Spring
Garmin-Asus, a co-branded alliance between Garmin® Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN) and ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (TAIEX: 2357), announced that it will partner with U.S. telecoms T-Mobile this spring to launch the Garmin-Asus A50, the first Android-powered smart phone that delivers a fully-integrated Garmin navigation experience. With Garmin, ASUS and T-Mobile’s leadership in navigation, device innovation, and wireless telecommunications respectively, the A50 is poised to provide users with the best location based service (LBS) experience possible.
“As the global leader in smart phone navigation technology and location based services, Garmin-Asus actively seeks to partner the world’s leading telecommunications service providers to offer users the most advanced, convenient and fun navigation experience,” said Benson Lin, Vice-President and General Manager of ASUS’ Personal Mobile Devices. “Our partnership with T-Mobile reflects the growing recognition within the global telecommunications industry that there is a burgeoning consumer demand for navigation-based smart phones and services, and that Garmin-Asus is the only smart phone maker capable of fulfilling these needs with our ‘best of both’ solutions.”
“The Garmin-Asus A50 brings together two increasingly popular devices in one state-of-the-art package, delivering a rich, unique experience that no other smart phone or standalone navigation device can offer,” said George Harrison, vice president, marketing product innovation, T-Mobile USA. “T-Mobile customers are increasingly seeking smart phones, and the deep integration of Garmin navigation into the smart phone features of this device helps them do more with one device to more simply navigate their busy lives.”
With the Android-based A50, Garmin-Asus now not only offers a more complete product line, it has also showcased its ability to perfectly integrate navigation and LBS functionality across platforms.
“Regardless of whether users prefer the Android or Windows Mobile operating system, they are assured the best and most comprehensive navigation and LBS experience with a Garmin-Asus smart phone,” said Lin. “We have plans to release more devices in the U.S., Europe, APAC and China markets in 2010, so users seeking the convenience that navigation smart phones affords will have no shortage of options.”
