Garmin first announced the G60 Nuvifone in January of 2008. The device was supposed to hit store shelves by summer 2008. It didn't happen. Now, it doesn't look the device will even hit shelves by summer 2009. At this point, is there still a point to releasing this device?When Garmin first announced the Nuvifone, the world stood up and took notice. The device married serious GPS features with the power of a smartphone. The G60 is a touch-based device that has a Linux base OS with home-grown code resting on top.

The device was pushed to the end of 2008, and then, after announcing a new joint-development effort with Asus, to the first half of 2009.

The most recent version of the device, which I played with several months ago, seemed near to completion and on-track for release before the end of June. During last week's earnings call, Garmin-Asus confirmed that the G60 was being delayed yet again. Now, the companies are targeting the second half of 2009.

Despite the device's strong points, I have to ask, is it still worth it for Garmin-Asus to pursue this device?

When Garmin-Asus announced their joint development efforts earlier this year, things appeared to be looking up. Not only did the two companies revitalize sagging interest in the G60, but even announced a new device, the Windows Mobile-based M20. More is supposedly on deck, too, with the companies claiming that a range of Nuvifone-branded devices are on the way. Uh, are they really?

If Garmin-Asus are able to get the G60 to market by the end of 2009, the phone will have been in development for at least two years. In that time, the iPhone 3G, the Android-powered HTC G1, the BlackBerry Storm, the Palm Pre and (hopefully) the next-generation iPhone and BlackBerry Storm 2 will have hit the market.

Can Garmin-Asus keep the public interested in the G60 Nuvifone in the face of this competition? I have a hard time believing it can.