There was a time when I thought Garmin is never going to be relevant because everybody has a map app on their phone and their navigation devices seemed obsolete. But, now, the company is making waves with a collaboration with Vuzix, and leaking a new product with a MicroLED display.
There;s a contract with Vuzix suggesting that Garmin is going to be upgrading its products with waveguide-based display systems. Vuzix, known for augmented reality and smart glasses, will develop custom optical systems for Garmin. This collaboration allows Garmin to integrate waveguide optics with custom projection units, new form factors, and proprietary devices to put itself into new markets, like smart glasses.
At the same time, leaked details about the upcoming Fenix 8 Pro models point to Garmin’s potential use of MicroLED display technology. MicroLED offers benefits over current screen systems like AMOLED, such as brighter pixels and improved energy efficiency. MicroLED should be appealing for the outdoor enthusiasts who rely on Garmin’s Fenix line, as the display would be more visible in bright sunlight and could prolong battery life, making it ideal for long-duration activities like triathlons.
There is little clarity on what all this means for Garmin’s products in the short term and it all seems a bit like conjecture. After all, we had a lot of rumours about an Apple Watch MicroLED display and we all know what happened there. But, it could also be that Apple’s conservatism and reluctance has opened up a whole host of opportunities for its competitors. It’d be pretty cool to find MicroLED driving one of Apple’s competitors to greater success because it would validate what a lot of people feel about the company, it just isn’t leading in product development any more.
