Garmin has had a busy last few weeks with the introduction of a new fashion-focused wearable and high-end fitness tracker. Today, it returns with news of its latest release: the vívosmart HR+. Garmin looks to build on the success of its affordable previous generation band by adding heart rate monitoring and GPS tracking. The HR+ has a slim design that is bound to be attractive with fitness enthusiasts.
Garmin’s move to include GPS tracking in a compact wearable is notable here. Previously, its line of vívo bands utilized a tethered connection to smartphones for location services. The HR+ will be able to track your movements while running, biking, or the like without the need for a second device. This also means that Garmin’s popular Connect service will be able to track your activities no matter the situation.
A natural disadvantage of bringing GPS tracking into the mix is decreased battery life. The previous generation vívosmart was capable of up to seven days of use on a single charge. Now? Garmin says users can expect around eight hours of battery life with GPS tracking enabled. That number hops up to five days with just heart rate tracking. It is positioned as an all-day wearable, topped off by a water resistant rating of 5 ATM, so it’s pool and shower-safe.
Of course, it has all of the wearable functionality that we’d come to expect from this type of product in 2016. There is a built-in watch, smartphone notifications, remote control, and access to Garmin’s Connect store. One interesting tidbit is that VIRB action camera users will get playback controls here as well.
The vívosmart HR+ is available today in three colors for $219.99 shipped over at Amazon.
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- This Hybrid Tube Amp system for Raspberry Pi is ideal for DIY Audiophiles
[9to5-press-release]
Garmin® introduces vívosmart® HR+, a smart activity tracker with wrist-based heart rate plus GPS
OLATHE, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced vívosmart HR+, an activity tracker1 with wrist-based heart rate plus GPS. The vívosmart HR+ adds new features to the company’s popular vívosmart activity tracker product line, including GPS, additional running data and Garmin Move IQ™ auto activity detection. With Garmin Elevate™ wrist heart rate technology the vívosmart HR+ provides 24/7 heart rate monitoring1. It also tracks steps, distance, calories, floors climbed and activity intensity. It features an always-on, sunlight-readable display and water rating of 5 ATM, so it’s swim and shower safe.
“With a compelling combination of GPS, wrist-based heart rate, long battery life and water resistance, the vívosmart HR+ was designed to keep up with users’ active lifestyles,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “Wherever your day takes you the vívosmart HR+ is made to help motivate and track all your active moments.”
The exciting addition of GPS to the vívosmart line allows users to even more accurately track distance, time and pace for their activities, as well as view a map of their activity on Garmin Connect™. Additional running features include personal records, virtual pacer, Auto Pause®, Auto Lap® and walk/run mode. Using Elevate wrist heart rate technology, vívosmart HR+ monitors heart rate at the wrist and quantifies the intensity of users’ fitness activities using intensity minutes. This feature helps users monitor their progress against activity goals recommended by leading health organizations.
The vívosmart HR+ also includes Garmin Move IQ, a feature that continuously monitors for periods of sustained activity. It automatically recognizes walking, running, biking, swimming and elliptical training so users can easily track their exercise throughout the day without needing to start a timed activity. Once synced with Garmin Connect, users can review their full day of activity in a convenient timeline view.
Users can easily stay connected with family, friends and work during activities with smart notifications, including incoming calls, texts, emails, social, calendar reminders, and any other notification from a compatible smartphone2. Other connected features allow users to control music on their smartphone and find their phone when they’ve misplaced it.
Throughout the day, the vívosmart HR+ automatically syncs with the Garmin Connect Mobile app to save users stats. In Garmin Connect, a free online fitness community, users can track workouts, sleep patterns and trends, join online challenges to compete against friends and earn virtual badges. They can also receive Garmin Connect Insights, smart wellness insights personalized to each user that provide cues to help them reach goals, shout-outs when milestones have been met and relevant healthy tips from experts. Insights also show users how they are doing in comparison to people like them for extra motivation.
The vívosmart HR+ has up to five days battery life in watch/activity tracking3 mode (with 24/7 heart rate monitoring, no GPS) or up to eight hours using GPS. It is shipping now and has a suggested retail price of $219.99 and is available in regular size black/shark fin gray, imperial purple/kona purple and midnight blue/bolt blue, and an extra-large black/shark fin gray band.
The ever-expanding Garmin fitness segment develops technologies to enhance and promote healthy and active lifestyles. Whether users are runners, cyclists, swimmers, multi-sport athletes, or simply looking to stay active throughout the day, there is a product that can help them reach their health and fitness goals.
For decades, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.
1 See Garmin.com/ataccuracy
2 See Garmin.com/ble for more information
3 Battery life varies based on usage and smartphone model
About Garmin
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin, vívoactive, Auto Lap, Auto Pause, Chroma Display and Varia are registered trademarks. Elevate, Move IQ, Connect IQ and Garmin Connect are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2015, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
[/9to5-press-release]
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