Asustek Computer will be the manufacturer of Garmin International's first handset series, the Nuvifone, which is expected to hit the market in the US in the fourth quarter, according to industry sources. Roger Jollis, Garmin's director of OEM and mobile marketing, said Garmin had placed strong emphasis on its own vertical integration, and had never outsourced its products. But as handsets involve a lot of validation work and RF technology expertise, Garmin started developing the Nuvifone in collaboration with a Taiwan maker, which will also be the manufacturer of the handsets, he said, adding it is the first time that Garmin has outsourced its products. Jollis declined to identify the manufacturing partner. But industry sources pointed out Asustek has been working with Garmin for two years on the project, with the Taiwan-based maker chiefly contributing its know-how in RF technologies. Although Asustek has already spun off its contracting manufacturing arms, it remains in charge of the partnership with Garmin for Nuvifone, the sources said. Jollis said Nuvifone will not be Garmin's only handset, as the company has already worked out its product roadmap up to 2010. Roger Jollis, Garmin's director of OEM & mobile marketing, with a Nuvifone Photo: Daniel Shen, Digitimes source