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Rumor has it now that the way-late-to-the-game, Garmin-Asus nuvifone will cost $299 on a two year contract or $599 with no commitment.  Since announcing the phone, Garmin has delayed it, taken on a partner, released the phone in Taiwan and it finally appears that the GPS phone will come to the US on AT&T.  Can this phone compete at $299?

Garmin-Asus intend this phone to compete in the business sector where having GPS might be a huge benefit, or was a huge benefit when the phone was originally conceived by Garmin years ago.  Since then, most other phones have built in GPS turn by turn directions and consumers seem to be adopting them.  Sprint even includes the feature in their Pre Everything Plan.  Did Garmin miss the boat?

Even back when the phone was fresh and just announced, NPD analyst Ross Rubin said on his blog, “Nufiphone is GPS thriller, not an iPhone killer.”  And that was before the iPhone could add third party apps.  Since then, Garmin has abandoned its OS and will instead rely on Windows Mobile, a move that reveals its corporate sales hopes.

The phone will feature a 3.5-inch touch screen with a 3 megapixel camera.  Garmin GPS will, of course, be a feature application.  Word is the price is after a $100 mail in rebate and while launch date is not official, the phone is expected before the end of October.

Read [Boy Genius Reports]