Best known for their standalone GPS navigation systems, gadget maker Garmin has unveiled their first cellular handset.  The nüvifone features a 3.5" touchscreen mounted on the front of a slim candybar body, and brings integrated GPS, HSDPA connectivity, and a multimedia player with video camera along with a GSM radio for old fashioned phone calls.

nüvifone will also ship with personal navigation software featuring Google local search and pre-loaded maps of North America and Europe.  Garmin said that nuvifone is slated for a Q3 2008 release, and no details have yet been given regarding pricing or sales partners.  Given Garmin's experience and success with standalone GPS devices, it'll be interesting to see if they can gain any traction in the cell phone marketplace, and if they wind up distributing their handset through a carrier or selling it direct as an unlocked phone.

Sadly, there doesn't seem to be any link between the umlaut in the name nüvifone and those found in the name of legendary hair metal band Mötley Crüe.

Learn more at the nüvifone product page from here.