Garmin today announced the nüvifone (why the pretentious umlaut, garmin, why, why, oh why...), a swanky touchscreen handset that combines a phone, Web browser and GPS navigator in a single device. Not ones to settle for anything resembling humility, Garmin's PR folks say the nüvifone "is destined to transform how individuals connect, communicate and navigate their life."

Mobile Magazine's Michael Kwan contends it's the best iPhone challenger to date. "The features are totally drool-worthy," he writes. "Cellular radios include both GSM and high-speed HSDPA, and they get topped off with an internet browser, data connectivity, personal navigation, Google-powered online services, email, text, IM, camera with video, and a music/video player... This is convergence in a whole new way."

Still, PC Authority's William Maher points out that it's hard to say much until we've actually seen one in action. "The make-or-break factor will be the interface," he writes. "We've had radically different experiences with Windows Mobile devices and Apple's iPhone, and it's something that can make phones a headache to use."

Launch is planned for Q3 2008. No word yet on carriers or pricing.

More here from PDAStreet ... more here from InformationWeek ... more here from TechRadar ... more here from VNUnet ... more here from TechShout ... more here from iTWire ... more here from TechSpot ... more here from CNET ... and the press release is here.