Garmin’s Slim vívoactive Bridges Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers

At one time we all carried freestanding mobile phone and MP3 players because there just was n’t a single equipment that did both well — and then the iPhone arrived . The same trouble exists between physical fitness trackers and smartwatches . Neither does the other one ’s job particularly well , but it does n’t have to be that way . At least allot to Garmin , who ’s jampack both a smartwatch and a fitness tracker into itsslim new vívoactive .

The waterproofwatch still has the telltale aim stylings of a smartwatch , with its full - coloring material square touchscreen display that remains legible even in bright sunlight . So no one ’s ever going to mistake it for a Rolex . But it does manage to shake off the squat form factor of most fitness - focussed watches , without sacrificing similar functionality .

Sony was the first company to let in GPS on its former smartwatch , but Garmin ’s been doing that for years , so it goes without saying that the vívoactive is able-bodied to accurately track your location and other system of measurement like distance and amphetamine as long as it ’s able to lock onto signals from satellites overhead . For those times when it ca n’t , a built - in accelerometer takes over to keep tablet on how far you ’ve take to the woods , jogged , turn on , swam , hiked , and it can even make a pretty educate guess on how many calorie you ’ve burned during a period of natural action .

Apple2025macbookairm4

Borrowing a feature from Garmin’svívofitfitness band , the vívoactive will even keep tab on those metre when you ’re not so active , using a growing red indicator cake to show how long you ’ve been inactive , and provide an warning signal when it ’s about clock time to get up and get move again . Users can also download fittingness apps that are specific to their peculiar variation , admit a running utility that provide elusive vibrating alerts when heart rate finish are gather , and a golfing app with access to 38,000 downloadable course of action that are mechanically update .

As far as smartwatches go , the vívoactive is likewise capable to other options presently on the market place , even though it does n’t run a peregrine OS like Android Wear . Out of the corner it connects to a smartphone to put audible and vibrating alerting for email , text messages , and call on your wrist . And it can of course be used to remotely operate the music on your sound with a circle of touchscreen playback control .

But what makes the late craw of smartwatches more intriguing than their fail forerunner are the full-bodied app stores full of singular way to customise and tally more functionality to these devices . And that ’s what Garmin is hoping to nurture and foster with its Connect I.Q. platform . Users can of course download various sentry confront to tailor-make the aspect of the vívoactive , but Garmin has anticipate even more functionality enroute in the mannequin of widgets that provide snitch peeks at calendar events , or the power to send abbreviated emails the right way from a user ’s wrist joint .

Second Screen Portable 15 Monitor

The Connect intelligence quotient political platform will even gain the fitness side of the vívoactive , with apps and widgets that provide up - to - date information on the conditions , ski term , and even strain quality . Garmin forebode the Connect IQ platform is open to any developer , and has provided access to the data point collected by the vigil in the SDK . So hopefully it can encourage a healthy collection of apps and widgets that complement both the smartwatch and fitness tracker sides of the vívoactive .

When available sometime in the first quarter of the class , the vívoactive will come in either a black or clean variant with a toll tag of around $ 250 . There ’s no word on how much the Connect intelligence quotient apps or widgets will cost , but exploiter will also be capable to customize the watch with swappable wrist bands to help ensure it accommodate whatever activity they have contrive — no matter how active or passive it may be . [ Garmin ]

receive to Gizmodo ’s coverage of all thingsCES 2015 ! For our comprehensive rundown of everything new and shiny at the year ’s big gadgetorium , check over outour pop up - up site here .

Hp 17 Touchscreen Laptop