SANTA CLARA, CA — (Marketwired) — 12/11/13 — Magellan, a leader of innovative GPS devices for vehicles, fitness, outdoor and mobile navigation, today announced the retail availability of Echo, Magellan-s new smartwatch for runners and other athletes. Echo utilizes smartphone fitness apps to their full potential by wirelessly connecting them to the wrist. After debuting at Outdoor Retailer 2013 where it received two Best-in-Show awards and then being named a 2014 CES Innovations Award Honoree, Echo is now available at retailers in the U.S., Canada and Australia/New Zealand, with worldwide availability later this year.
“With support from leading apps Strava, MapMyRun®, iSmoothRun and Wahoo Fitness, Echo makes running with your favorite fitness app better,” said Clark Weber, senior director of fitness products at Magellan. “Echo puts app data and notifications where you can see them on your wrist, and its controls allow you to interact with both the app and music. It-s a simple solution to a huge problem. For the first time, runners can easily communicate and interact with their favorite app.”
Using Bluetooth Smart* to wirelessly connect with a smartphone, Echo shows users fitness data such as elapsed time, distance and other metrics and notifications at a glance. Echo gives users control over a variety of smartphone functions including start, stop or lap on a fitness app, and next song, play and pause on a music playlist.
“Magellan Echo has received a very positive response from retailers who are embracing this new category of smartwatches,” said Jim Flaherty, vice president of sales at Magellan. “Echo solves a problem for runners who use fitness apps, and retailers have recognized the advantages of a product focused on sport, rather than general-use smartwatches that don-t meet the needs of athletes.”
Magellan Echo drives integration with the world of sport and fitness apps. Echo is an open platform with a customizable display, which allows each app to have a unique presentation that complements the app-s core features. Echo is future-proof with wireless updates to keep pace with evolving features of the app developers.
“Magellan is creating a new generation of fitness watches and we are excited to be a part of that innovation,” said Mike Stashak of Wahoo Fitness. “Echo gives runners a platform to see app data and interact with it during a run, something that isn-t possible today.”
Echo is designed for sport with a ruggedized design and water-resistance to withstand adverse conditions. A replaceable battery that lasts 6-11 months means there-s no charging. Echo is always ready to go.
“Echo has exciting possibilities as it-s the first connected watch we-ve seen to be designed with Strava-s community of avid athletes in mind,” said Jordan Kobert, head of business development at Strava. “It-s a great solution for anyone who wants to keep a pulse on their real-time performance.”
Robin Thurston, CEO of MapMyFitness, said, “With more than 20 million registered members, MapMyFitness strives to use technology to make fitness both simple and rewarding for users. We recognize our running community-s need for fitness data on the go and are excited to have incorporated direct Echo integration into the latest version of our iOS update for a more streamlined, user-friendly experience.”
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 is available now at retailers nationwide including Amazon.com, Clever Training, Eastern Mountain Sports, Sports Authority and REI for $149.99 or $199.99 with a Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Monitor. It is available in Black, Blue or Orange.
To learn more, go to .
*The Bluetooth Smart feature is compatible with iPhone 4S, 5, 5C, 5S and newer, as well as select Android-based phones that support Bluetooth 4.0.
Headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, MiTAC Digital Corporation, manufacturer of the Magellan () 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, globally markets award-winning products in multiple categories including auto, RV, commercial, outdoor, fitness and mobile. Continuing its spirit of innovation, Magellan is developing new cloud-based technologies, wearables, OEM and B-to-B solutions to meet the changing needs of today-s consumers.
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