GPS navigation device makers TomTom and Garmin both reportedly are in advanced stages of developing mobile handsets with GPS features, according to reports today in DigiTimes Telecom. The two have been amping up the feature integration tempo lately by creating more multifunctional navigation devices, with TomTom showing a SIM-ready navigation device at CeBIT, and Garmin reportedly lining up a partnership with company skilled in both communication handsets and GPS gear.

I have to say I've been waiting for this shoe to drop for while, having pointed out to several clients in the past two years that voice telephony has already become one function within many in the personal device space, and one which can be easily integrated into other devices - see the Xbox, NIntendo DS, Nokia 770 and 880, etc for examples.