UPDATE: Read our hands on review of the TomTom Runner.
TomTom has announced two new sportwatches, the TomTom Runner and the TomTom Multi-Sport. The watches are waterproof to 50 meters, and support GPS/GLONASS and Bluetooth Smart. They also use “built-in sensors to count strides, so that users can monitor pace and distance even while running on a treadmill.” An optional Bluetooth heart rate monitor is available for either device.
TomTom Multi-Sport
The Multi-Sport adds a dedicated bike mount, altimeter and swimming motion sensor. An optional cadence sensor is also available.
One button control
One focus seems to be on a simplified experience — the watches have a one-button control that “enables users to easily navigate up-down-left-right through menus to access key stats and watch features.” Tom Tom notes the ease of use while moving, in various weather conditions and while wearing gloves.
Graphical Training Partner
The watches offer three graphical training modes:
- Race: Race against a personal best or most recent run. Quickly track performance with real-time graphics, to continue to improve run-after-run.
- Goal: Set a distance, time or calorie goal and see progress toward that goal with simple, full-screen graphics and alerts.
- Zone: Set a target for pace or heart-rate (with optional heart-rate monitor) and track progress in a simple full-screen graph throughout a workout.
TomTom MySports and third-party support
Also announced was the TomTom MySports website and the ability to sync with other platforms including MapMyFitness, RunKeeper, TrainingPeaks and MyFitnessPal.
Availability
The new devices are slated to be available this summer. No word on pricing yet and I’m still waiting for confirmation (and timing) of a US release. UPDATE: It sounds like the watches will see a US launch this summer.
Here’s a promo video that offers a peek at some of the screens:
http://youtu.be/idpMB-vZMfo
UPDATE 2: And a video of the Multi-Sport:
http://youtu.be/J-RsUAUDfpM
UPDATE 3: Here’s the full news release.
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