Magellan, a leader of innovative GPS devices for vehicles, fitness, outdoor and mobile navigation, today announced Echo, Magellan's first running watch that utilizes smartphone fitness apps to their full potential by wirelessly connecting them to your wrist. Keeping with the trend of fitness watches, the Echo's real-time fitness data is streamed directly from your smartphone to the watch display, and you have the ability to remotely control connected apps.
For the first time on a running watch, Magellan Echo consumers can simultaneously see fitness data, notifications and achievements that display on their smartphone. Using Bluetooth Smart* to wirelessly connect with a smartphone, Echo shows users the elapsed time, distance and other fitness metrics at a glance. Echo gives users control over a variety of smartphone functions including start, stop or lap on your fitness app, and next song, play and pause on your music playlist.
The Magellan Echo is the first smart watch designed for running with a ruggedized design and water-resistance that can withstand adverse conditions. A replaceable battery means there's no charging. Echo is always ready to go.
Magellan Echo leverages the Wahoo Fitness API to drive integration with the world of sport and fitness apps. Wahoo Fitness' API is used by 100+ fitness apps, such as Strava, MapMyRun, Runtastic, and RunKeeper, to communicate with innovative new fitness devices like Echo. Using the Wahoo API, Echo is future-proof with wireless updates to keep pace with evolving features of the app developers.
"What really excites us about the Echo is that they've really nailed the form-factor for athletes. Combine that with Bluetooth Smart connectivity and you've got a really compelling piece of technology," said Alex Mather, Director of Product at Strava. "We can't wait for our athletes to be able to see Strava data on their wrists while they're out running."
The Magellan Echo will be available 4th quarter 2013. Echo has an MSRP of $149.99, or $199.99 with a Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Monitor. Runners will be able to express their personal style by selecting a Black, Cool Blue or Warm Red Echo.
The Magellan Echo will be on display in Magellan's booth #22009 at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City, July 31-August 3. For more information go to www.magellangps.com/echo.
*The Bluetooth Smart feature is compatible with iPhone 4S, 5 and newer, as well as select Android-based phones that support Bluetooth 4.0.
