Taiwan's Asustek Computer and US-headquartered navigation device maker Garmin revealed on February 4 that the two companies will collaborate on Smartphones featuring LBS (Location Based Service) technology, Taipei Times reported. Smartphones born out of the Asustek-Garmin alliance will be distributed under the Nuvifone brand. A new Nuvifone Smartphone is slated for unveiling at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, held February 16 through 19. Details as to the operating system and features of the new Nuvifone are as yet unknown, though.

According to the Taipie Times report, manufacturing of the new Nuvifones will be either done in-house by Asustek or outsourced, while marketing and sales operations will be carried out on a co-branding basis. Furthermore, the Smartphone alliance between Asustek and Garmin entails that Asustek will cease production of PND (Personal Navigation Device) or mobile phone products under its Asus brand. At the same time, Garmin is expected to sever its ties with other ODM (Original Device Manufacturing) makers as well.