PRESS RELEASE
Echo Keeps You Informed and In Control When Running With a Smartphone
Santa Clara, CA - July 25th, 2013 - 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. With real-time fitness data streamed directly from your smartphone to the watch display and the ability to remotely control connected apps, Echo keeps you informed and in control during any run.
"Magellan Fitness is embracing mobility to leverage the convenience of smartphones and the power of their connected apps, something that more and more runners are using," said Clark Weber, Senior Director of Fitness Products at Magellan. "We are excited to lead this emerging category as we move into the next generation of fitness watches."
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's 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."
Echo can also be used as an everyday watch that shows the day, date and time. With its sleek design and bright colors, Echo is the perfect watch for a tech savvy athlete that wants to stay informed and in control.
The Magellan Echo will be available 4th quarter 2013 in the US. Echo has an RSP 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.
About Magellan
Headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, MiTAC Digital Corporation, manufacturer of the Magellan (www.magellangps.com) brand of portable GPS navigation devices, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MiTAC International Corporation. Magellan, the industry leader for innovative GPS navigation devices since 1986, features a new cloud-based "Smart Ecosystem" on the Magellan SmartGPS (http://www.magellangps.com/SmartGPS) and SmartGPS mobile apps, redefining vehicle navigation with location-relevant social media and content integrated directly onto a navigation map.
Magellan globally markets the award-winning Magellan® SmartGPS, RoadMate® series for autos, RVs, fleet and commercial vehicles, the eXplorist® PRO for mobile GIS applications and field data collection, the eXplorist® outdoor series for hunting, fishing, hiking, marine and geocaching, the Fitness SwitchTM series of crossover GPS watches, and, mobile apps and accessories for smartphones. Follow Magellan on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
