opencaching on smartphones

[zuma]

I downloaded the new Garmin app for opencaching to my Android. and think that they really put it together well, though it still has not even begun to take off. It is interesting that Garmin invested so much in developing a smooth app that facilitates caching without a gps.

zuma

[Team Black-Cat]

Hmmm…. That is interesting.
That really makes me wonder what their plans are.

[huffinpuffin2]

Are you exposed to any advertising when using the app? I.e. any revenue generation apparent?

[Ashen15]

They have to pick up the Smart Phone market somehow. A lot of people I know that fish, golf, cache, etc. use their phone and would never consider picking up even a low end GPS.

[Barry Butrymowicz]

This could have something to do with it

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Garmin+Phone&oe=utf-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=8392890975080043659&sa=X&ei=QqnwTaWGEon40gGw1qTOBA&ved=0CHsQ8wIwBA

[Lostby7]

I thought that phone was already discontinued…?

I guess not as I see it releases tomorrow… 😕

OK I see they discontinued the nüvifone G60….among other things…they sure do discontinue lots of stuff.

[Team Black-Cat]

I am completly convinced that Garmin doesn’t have a long range business plan. They keep going in so many directions, it seems like they are wandering aimlessly.

The NuviPhone has only been out for a couple of years and it’s already gone through three different operating systems (Linux, Windows Mobile and now Android) Last year they announced that they won’t be making phones, but will make phone navigation apps. Their navigation apps are for iPhone, but their own phones are Android. Their geocaching app is Android… I’m so confused.

They have apparently severed all ties with Groundspeak and are building opencaching.com which seems to have no possibility of adding to Garmin’s bottom line. I originally thought that it might have been because of Groundspeak’s open armed acceptance of smartphones, but Garmin’s own geocaching app blows that theory.

For a company who’s business is to help people find their way, they really seem to be lost.

[Lostby7]

@Team Black-Cat wrote:

I am completly convinced that Garmin doesn’t have a long range business plan. They keep going in so many directions, it seems like they are wandering aimlessly…..

….For a company who’s business is to help people find their way, they really seem to be lost.

I agree. They really seem to be struggling not only financially due to the advent of GPS equipped phones, but also as a company looking for direction.

[zuma]

@Team Black-Cat wrote:

I am completly convinced that Garmin doesn’t have a long range business plan. They keep going in so many directions, it seems like they are wandering aimlessly.

The NuviPhone has only been out for a couple of years and it’s already gone through three different operating systems (Linux, Windows Mobile and now Android) Last year they announced that they won’t be making phones, but will make phone navigation apps. Their navigation apps are for iPhone, but their own phones are Android. Their geocaching app is Android… I’m so confused.

They have apparently severed all ties with Groundspeak and are building opencaching.com which seems to have no possibility of adding to Garmin’s bottom line. I originally thought that it might have been because of Groundspeak’s open armed acceptance of smartphones, but Garmin’s own geocaching app blows that theory.

For a company who’s business is to help people find their way, they really seem to be lost.

You are probably right about Garmin seeming lost. Still though, they make great devices. And they are starting to turn opencaching into a well done, credible website.

I just dont see how they make serious money off of it, like they did selling millions of units of gps devices. And I dont see how they plan to intice people to migrate from gc.com to their service.

z

[CodeJunkie]

As a software developer, I enjoy watching the debate on these types of issues. Garmin started as a hardware manufacturer (i.e. similar to IBM) and may have been the gold standard. The market has obviously changed with many other devices offering similar features which it appears to have them a little lost (i.e. similar to IBM years ago). I think they’ll re-find their niche but it may take a bit. I realize that IBM might not be the best analogy, but it certainly has some similarities.

Today’s market is one of rapid change, stepping outside the box, and being extremely customer focused. How Garmin leverages it’s core compentencies to embrace this is certainly interesting to watch.

[Author]

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