Microsoft to purchase Garmin?

[+gpsblake]

http://informationweek.com/blog/main/archi...soft_eyein.html

 

Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) is reported to be looking to acquire Garmin, the navigation system company. Makes sense to me, at least technology-wise.

 

There are a few reasons. Let's start with the most immediate and obvious: cars. Microsoft has a system called Sync, a $395 option that's going to be offered in Fords, Lincolns, and Mercurys, starting with the 2008 Ford Focus. The system uses Bluetooth and USB; does hands-free calling and voice-activated music selection; reads text messages aloud; can sync up with iPods, cell phones, and a variety of other devices; has steering wheel controls and a dashboard screen; and may, in later models, allow drivers to create spoken text messages and e-mails. Yes, all that at $395, and in the Ford Focus, not the Jaguar.

 

Now, on to Garmin. Garmin already has partnerships with both Microsoft and Ford, offering features such as updated gas prices, weather conditions and forecasts, and dynamic trip routing based on traffic and construction, stemming from a partnership with MSN. The system offered in Fords includes Bluetooth capability and an MP3 player, reminiscent of Sync. Seems like a fit to me.

 

Entire Story at Link

[+Jamie Z]

Mmm. Then maybe Google will buy Magellan.

 

Jamie

[+Miragee]

I sure hope not . . . I like my Garmin GPSr . . .

[+BlueDeuce]

Being in the Long Distance Telephone Tech world my company has been purchased, sold, merged, acquired, whatever, more times then I could even care to mention. (For me, 21 years employment next June)

 

Looking back; some were good, some were bad. (Minor mention, one time the building sign read Worldcom)

[gallet]

Wonderful news, this will surely increase Garmin's Mac development. </sarcasm>

[O-Mega]

Does that mean my Garmin 60csx will soon get a new Blue Screen

 

[+TrailGators]

http://informationweek.com/blog/main/archi...soft_eyein.html

 

Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) is reported to be looking to acquire Garmin, the navigation system company. Makes sense to me, at least technology-wise.

 

There are a few reasons. Let's start with the most immediate and obvious: cars. Microsoft has a system called Sync, a $395 option that's going to be offered in Fords, Lincolns, and Mercurys, starting with the 2008 Ford Focus. The system uses Bluetooth and USB; does hands-free calling and voice-activated music selection; reads text messages aloud; can sync up with iPods, cell phones, and a variety of other devices; has steering wheel controls and a dashboard screen; and may, in later models, allow drivers to create spoken text messages and e-mails. Yes, all that at $395, and in the Ford Focus, not the Jaguar.

 

Now, on to Garmin. Garmin already has partnerships with both Microsoft and Ford, offering features such as updated gas prices, weather conditions and forecasts, and dynamic trip routing based on traffic and construction, stemming from a partnership with MSN. The system offered in Fords includes Bluetooth capability and an MP3 player, reminiscent of Sync. Seems like a fit to me.

 

Entire Story at Link

I think it would be a smart move. A strong software company plus a strong hardware company makes for a great match. They are both American companies so it would fortify the American presence in that arena for the long-haul and it will be a big arena. It would bring some very interesting developments.

 

So I guess that means that Apple will get Magellan....

Edited October 11, 2007 by TrailGators

[-Oz-]

I would really dred that...

[+Renegade Knight]

My Garmn Just Works. I'd hate to see that change.

[+fastforty]

How do YOU spell "d-o-w-n-h-i-l-l s-p-i-r-a-l"?

 

Yeah, we need a monopoly that cares nothing about it's consumer base & makes constant changes for the worse that renders our equipment useless

[+TrailGators]

Yeah, we need a monopoly that cares nothing about it's consumer base & makes constant changes for the worse that renders our equipment useless

It sounds like you are describing my companies' ISSA department... Edited October 11, 2007 by TrailGators

[+JSWilson64]

Oh, I hope it's true, and Microsoft applies their algorithms to the copy protection of Garmin maps.

 

I'd never have to buy maps at retail again! :-)

[+whitecrow]

Being in the Long Distance Telephone Tech world my company has been purchased, sold, merged, acquired, whatever, more times then I could even care to mention. (For me, 21 years employment next June)

 

Looking back; some were good, some were bad. (Minor mention, one time the building sign read Worldcom)

 

Same here, 26 years & then downsized.

Edited October 11, 2007 by whitecrow

[Neo_Geo]

How do YOU spell "d-o-w-n-h-i-l-l s-p-i-r-a-l"?

 

Yeah, we need a monopoly that cares nothing about it's consumer base & makes constant changes for the worse that renders our equipment useless

I agree! As a longtime, loyal Garmin customer and investor, I would absolutely hate to see Garmin devoured by the MicroSoft monster!

[+UncleJimbo]

Wonderful news, this will surely increase Garmin's Mac development. </sarcasm>

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

Maybe we can petition Apple to buy Garmin?

[+piper28]

My thoughts exactly.

 

Maybe we can petition Apple to buy Garmin?

 

You realize of course that if Apple bought Garmin, we'd be doomed to units that have the batteries sealed into them.

[+Renegade Knight]

My thoughts exactly.

 

Maybe we can petition Apple to buy Garmin?

 

You realize of course that if Apple bought Garmin, we'd be doomed to units that have the batteries sealed into them.

 

They would also only sync through iTunes, but would play MP3's.

[+Thrak]

That would be the end of Garmin's excellent customer support.

[freeday]

Does that mean my Garmin 60csx will soon get a new Blue Screen

 

 

No - there has never been any blue screen

[jmundinger]

Well, let's keep our fingers crossed that Garmin gets the bugs out of the H series before this transaction is complete.

[+QuesterMark]

I sure hope not . . . I like my Garmin GPSr . . .

 

Yeah, me too. Not that my current one would be affected....but I'd have to worry a bit about future Garmin devices.

 

I might have to switch to Nokia, by then!

[+QuesterMark]

We're all worried about our handheld devices. Imagine if microsoft got their hooks into Garmin's airplane "glass". I'm sure all those pilot would be thrilled. Makes Blue Screen of Death a little more literal.

[+roadrage64]

Does this mean that every time you search for a waypoint, the little flashlight will wave back and forth?

[BelchFire]

This could be very sad for many, many loyal Garmin users. Perhaps a Linux-like movement would rise to the occasion and offer open source firmware and maps ;-)

 

I, for one, would SERIOUSLY look into Magellan products solely out of pure hatred for Micro$ux

[+GPSlug]

With two product lines named "Vista", I guess they would have to retire one of them. I know which one I would choose.

[+Vodor and Scorsby]

Oh wonderfull, having read this week that 33% of xbox's suffer a meltdown due to overheating I can see where the next series of etrex is going.......... Well i spose if your camping in the sticks and you forget your matches, at least your good old Microsoft Etrex Vista HCXO will spontaniously burst into flames so you can boil up a kettle.

[+ReadyOrNot]

How do YOU spell "d-o-w-n-h-i-l-l s-p-i-r-a-l"?

 

Yeah, we need a monopoly that cares nothing about it's consumer base & makes constant changes for the worse that renders our equipment useless

 

I didn't realize that Microsoft's job was to care about you? I thought their job was to make money by building a superior product. I don't buy into this Monopoly garbage either. Anyone who wants to make a better product has the ability to do so.. One could argue that Apple has a superior product, but until they drop the "superiority complex", they won't truly be able to compete with Microsoft. But that is APPLE's problem, not Microsoft's.

 

Microsoft is one of the great companies and the Gates foundation has done more good than any other corporation is existence today.. So who doesn't care?

[+TrailGators]

How do YOU spell "d-o-w-n-h-i-l-l s-p-i-r-a-l"?

 

Yeah, we need a monopoly that cares nothing about it's consumer base & makes constant changes for the worse that renders our equipment useless

 

I didn't realize that Microsoft's job was to care about you? I thought their job was to make money by building a superior product. I don't buy into this Monopoly garbage either. Anyone who wants to make a better product has the ability to do so.. One could argue that Apple has a superior product, but until they drop the "superiority complex", they won't truly be able to compete with Microsoft. But that is APPLE's problem, not Microsoft's.

 

Microsoft is one of the great companies and the Gates foundation has done more good than any other corporation is existence today.. So who doesn't care?

I think we are minorities in this thread, ReadyOrNot. I bailed because there was way too much "kvetching" (Jeremy's word)..... Edited October 14, 2007 by TrailGators

[cleo43]

Don't worry.

The war will be bigger on the Automobile navigation front.

For handhelds we still have Magellan, DeLorme ...

[Archangel_UK]

Hope Garmin write a script for Opera before M*****t get on board, otherwise that`ll be another Gb of software on my PC !!