With GPS-enabled BlackBerry 8310, BlackBerry vs. Garmin war is forseeable

Yesterday, AT&T Mobility and BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion announced the as-low-as $199.99 (two year contract) BlackBerry Curve 8310.

Turn-by-turn GPS is being heralded as the signature new feature of this device.

So what does this mean for the mobile space?

In my view, the emergence of directions-enabled, rather than readings or map-based GPS on BlackBerry and other handhelds introduces a topic that isn't being discussed enough.

That'd be that these GPS functionalities signify a kind of a competitive strike by BlackBerry against the lower-end Garmin devices.

Note I said lower-end Garmins. I don't mean the sophisticated devices that boaters and pilots use. I am talking about models such as the $321.00 list, nuvi 200.

The business and technology press, as well as the blogosphere, has been rather slow to recognize the coming war between BlackBerry and Garmin.  With the BlackBerry 8310 a new front has been opened. Don't forget you read about it here.