31 replies to this topic

[blatant]

http://mediacenter.m...49&NewsAreaID=2

See above press release. Looks to be a fair contender to rival the sportwatch/nike+ and with android built in there's a ton of potential to upgrade the software (include multisport etc)

[chrisso]

Good to see other companies building gps fitness/training devices, products like this will drive innovation from companies like garmin. "Wireless Sports Headphones with Integrated Heart Rate Monitor"... sounds like techie nirvana...

[SpecBGT]

Brilliant, another music playing device to add to the iPod discussion!

[Colin]

SpecBGT, on 19 October 2011 - 08:50 AM, said:

Brilliant, another music playing device to add to the iPod discussion!

From the website:

Quote

Real athletes don’t wear earbuds, they rock sports headphones. Introducing innovative sports headphones with built-in heart rate monitors, durable design and crystal-clear audio, the Motorola SF700 wireless and Motorola SF500 wired headphones deliver exceptional sound quality and real-time audible readouts of your heart rate allowing you to track your performance without the uncomfortable squeeze of a chest strap.

MOTOACTV also gives you the option to stay connected to your Android™-powered smartphone, so you can answer calls, receive texts and rock out via your headphones without breaking a stride.

So these 'real' athletes will now do everything else except listen to the RD's instructions and hear the marshall holler 'truck coming'!!!.....splat
May be one way of diminishing this group.

Edited by Colin, 19 October 2011 - 08:59 AM.

[blatant]

it's more useful than an ipod for a runner. GPS and HRM built into the headphones (hoping its as accurate as a strap). Apparently it syncs via itunes too so you won't have to run multiple music libraries. It consolidates several common running techie aides.

[SpecBGT]

'MOTOACTV also gives you the option to stay connected to your Android™-powered smartphone, so you can answer calls, receive texts and rock out via your headphones without breaking a stride.'

One of the reasons I run is that I do not have to worry about phones, texts, emails, etc. Reading texts and running, another recipe for disaster.

[omy005]

Some more info at there site https://www.motoactv.com/

It might give Garmin a hurry-up to stop just relying on there market domination.

Andrew

[RobGrinter]

Availabilty will be November in the USA and Jan/Feb 2012 for Australia.



Ed: I should have some more details on this product tomorrow.

Edited by RobGrinter, 20 October 2011 - 02:32 PM.

[RobGrinter]

Some very interesting features in this new watch which we believe will raise the bar for other brands. It may not be perfectly suited to the elite runner or for racing, but rather the every day companion during training runs etc. We hope to have viewed a released model within about 3 weeks and be able to provide some feedback on its usability, pros and cons.

We do note that the MotoACTV will be able to display live maps (in a yet unclear capacity) and that the Australian maps is what is likely to keep it from our shores until February next year.

The selling price will be around the AUD 350 to 400 mark for the 16Gb version including the AU maps and heart rate.
It is too early to be preselling this at the moment as the details on the AU model are still a bit sketchy, however here at HTA we hope to be able to offer a pre-order process soon and prior to Xmas.

One thing for certain, Motorola plan to enter the sport electronic market in a big way. With Android connectivity as well as ANT+, have they raised the bar here ?
Many questions remain though; Will its online service offer what customers want ?

Will it have enough tools for serious analysis or will it be a simple data collection service only.

With Nike's effort and its subsequent 2nd effort not hitting the mark, will Motorola fall in to the same abyss ?

Do athletes want music, phone integration and their sport all-in-one ?

Or will it be such a good complete solution that it puts Motorola into a leadership position ?

Time will tell !

[blatant]

RobGrinter, on 22 October 2011 - 03:28 PM, said:

Some very interesting features in this new watch which we believe will raise the bar for other brands. It may not be perfectly suited to the elite runner or for racing, but rather the every day companion during training runs etc. We hope to have viewed a released model within about 3 weeks and be able to provide some feedback on its usability, pros and cons.

We do note that the MotoACTV will be able to display live maps (in a yet unclear capacity) and that the Australian maps is what is likely to keep it from our shores until February next year.

The selling price will be around the AUD 350 to 400 mark for the 16Gb version including the AU maps and heart rate.
It is too early to be preselling this at the moment as the details on the AU model are still a bit sketchy, however here at HTA we hope to be able to offer a pre-order process soon and prior to Xmas.

One thing for certain, Motorola plan to enter the sport electronic market in a big way. With Android connectivity as well as ANT+, have they raised the bar here ?
Many questions remain though; Will its online service offer what customers want ?

Will it have enough tools for serious analysis or will it be a simple data collection service only.

With Nike's effort and its subsequent 2nd effort not hitting the mark, will Motorola fall in to the same abyss ?

Do athletes want music, phone integration and their sport all-in-one ?

Or will it be such a good complete solution that it puts Motorola into a leadership position ?

Time will tell !

I think it's biggest strength is the fact that its an android device.  In theory it should have the capacity to run google navigation/maps and in regard to data, Motorolla probably block this but mapmyrunu and other android apps could potentially install.
I'd love it if it had navigation so I could zone out and run for miles without fear of getting lost. It'd also be great on the bike.
Provided the GPS and HRM are in fact as acurate as other comparable devices

[KinverRoss]

Hi All,

I have been running with one of the new Motorola MOTOACTV GPS fitness trackers for a few weeks now and have managed to cobble together a bot of a review if anyone is interested. It is about 6000 words so prepare to be bored ;-) Motorola Motoactv

Let me know if you have any questions and I will do my best to answer. Would a summary of the likes and dislikes i have about the watch be useful?

Ross

[RobGrinter]

We now have the MOTOACTV up on our website as a Pre-order with estimated delivery of February/March and a broad price estimate between $300 and $400.
2 Versions available; 8Gb and 16Gb with our usual Full refundable deposit of $30 and $35 respectively. See HTA's No Quibble/No Risk policy on the bottom of the product description in link below.

We have had some meetings and discussions with Motorola and been advised by them that the Australian version comes with Australian maps loaded and that the USA model will  have some locking to prevent USA based models from working here. I understand this may pose a lot of questions, for which at the moment we do not have answers, except to say local Motorola chiefs here are adamant that Aussies will only want the AU version.



HTA think this product will be an interesting one that may suit some techno types that want the integrated music and colour maps.

Some of the recent gimmicky releases in the market by both big name and fringe sport companies havent been a big hit, but here at HTA, we will get behind this new MOTOACTV as it certainly has some strengths.


CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER MOTOACTV

[RobGrinter]

Some news in the past week is that the Motorola ACTV has had a firmware update that sees the Battery last for 8 hours.


-- Refer:  A firmware update promising better battery life and power-saving settings -- including a marathon mode that'll give you eight hours of accompanied running. You'll also find additional clock faces ........


IMHO, this is a game changer and we expect it to become real competition to Garmin and Polar. Not for everyone, but we do believe it will shake up the top end of the gadget market.


Featuring MP3 player and GPS based heart rate monitor with 8 hours of battery life on GPS, plus Android based phone alerts on screen.


One of the other great parts to this product is that USA and EU have the models now and are ironing out all of the bugs. By the time it arrives here, we should see a refined product.


Whilst it is still some time away from arriving in Australia (expected in Feb/March), due to specific mapping for Aust., we are taking pre-orders now with a small deposit for those that are keen to get in early and secure one when they arrive.


PRE ORDER MOTOACTV HERE

[Rafferty]

Interesting.

So, to confirm, you can buy optional wireless headphone (to listen to music), yes?

And, must ask, is the battery in this new device user replaceable?

And, if not, what will it cost to have battery factory replaced? (dont wish to go down the garmin path again).

[RobGrinter]

Rafferty, on 04 January 2012 - 07:46 AM, said:

Interesting.

So, to confirm, you can buy optional wireless headphone (to listen to music), yes?

And, must ask, is the battery in this new device user replaceable?

And, if not, what will it cost to have battery factory replaced? (dont wish to go down the garmin path again).

Wireless headphones will be available. Refer below;

This tiny new Bluetooth Smart device from Motorola is a sophisticated fitness tracker, smart music player and training system. It lets you listen to music on the optional Motorola SF600 Bluetooth wireless headphones while running or doing other workouts in the gym or outside.

The MOTOACTV includes precision GPS to track your distance and speed, a "smart" music player that learns what songs motivate you the most by tracking your performance against your music, a touchscreen, audio "coaching" on pace and distance, and more.



Battery, not sure, but experience tells me that she will be a sealed unit as per Garmin.

[russell2pi]

RobGrinter, on 22 October 2011 - 03:28 PM, said:

Do athletes want music, phone integration and their sport all-in-one ?

Considering most people can already do that on their phone with a simple free app, I'm not sure I understand what all the fuss is about   .

I bet hardware-wise too it's basically a phone that's been crippled to only be able to run their app.

Edited by russell2pi, 08 January 2012 - 05:23 AM.

[KiaKaha]

is it waterproof

oh and do you have layby so can pay things off over time

Edited by StellaC, 08 January 2012 - 08:17 AM.

[RobGrinter]

russell2pi, on 08 January 2012 - 05:22 AM, said:

Considering most people can already do that on their phone with a simple free app, I'm not sure I understand what all the fuss is about   .

I bet hardware-wise too it's basically a phone that's been crippled to only be able to run their app.

russell2pi, in this fast moving tech world, there are often many different ways to acheive the same result.

Personally, I wouldnt wear a smart phone on my wrist, plus I would prefer somthing a bit smaller to run with. Based on smaller, I would expect it to be engineered with less features to encompass the smaller size, (you call it 'crippled'). Plus havent seen a wrist phone yet that has been taken up by the consumer, so I have some further doubt that it is either feasable or desirable.

This new MOTOACTV is proof that alternative solutions are available. It wont suit everyone, but then not everyone buys an iphone either. The rest makes for a great debate !

[RobGrinter]

StellaC, on 08 January 2012 - 08:16 AM, said:

is it waterproof

oh and do you have layby so can pay things off over time

StellaC,  no it is definetely not water proof.

Layby is available, just best to call us on 03-9598-7666

Edited by RobGrinter, 08 January 2012 - 10:23 AM.

[KiaKaha]

tanks for me i decided next tool has to be waterproof because i often run to beach and go for a ip and i always worry leaving my garmin on beach that it might get nicked

I actually like the sound of it rather than carrying an ipod and a damin all in one.. As for phone i dont even have a smartphone yet lol

[RobGrinter]

StellaC, on 08 January 2012 - 10:27 AM, said:

tanks for me i decided next tool has to be waterproof because i often run to beach and go for a ip and i always worry leaving my garmin on beach that it might get nicked

I actually like the sound of it rather than carrying an ipod and a damin all in one.. As for phone i dont even have a smartphone yet lol

Yes, unfortunately such a device still doesnt exist.

You want a cross between the 910xt and the MOTACTV. Perhaps next time in the tech announcements something will suit better.

[redbackrun]

the "I'M" Smart Watch which connects to your smart phone & can display Android apps, handle phone calls, sms & also music. I'm not sure about running apps though. detail here

btw i don't mind the look of the motorola

Edited by redbackrun, 08 January 2012 - 11:15 PM.

[RobGrinter]

redbackrun, on 08 January 2012 - 11:13 PM, said:

the "I'M" Smart Watch which connects to your smart phone & can display Android apps, handle phone calls, sms & also music. I'm not sure about running apps though. detail here

btw i don't mind the look of the motorola

Hard to take it serious when they issue a "Gold/Diamond" version at a cost of $13,000.  

If you think it has any merit, I would suggest starting a new thread, which will assist  to gauge its popularity.


PS, I like it, just not sure it is a fitness watch !

Edited by RobGrinter, 09 January 2012 - 11:03 AM.

[RobGrinter]

Today we received a pre-release model from Motorola.

If anybody wishes to view it, we will have it available until Thursday. It will then go out of the office for a review and then we will have it back on the 23rd for another week.

Early thoughts are positive. Definetely suits the general runner with requirement for Music. Touch screen works very nicely.

More to follow in the coming weeks.

[wezza]

RobGrinter, on 10 January 2012 - 09:41 PM, said:

Today we received a pre-release model from Motorola.

If anybody wishes to view it, we will have it available until Thursday. It will then go out of the office for a review and then we will have it back on the 23rd for another week.

Early thoughts are positive. Definetely suits the general runner with requirement for Music. Touch screen works very nicely.

More to follow in the coming weeks.

It sounds great. Looking forward to your next review!

[vat]

Very interested in the Ant+ connectivity (particularly speed/cadence and HRM), and possible multisport use.  If you could touch on those in the review it'd be much appreciated

[RobGrinter]

Chilli has it at the moment and is back next week. We also had a customer come in that purchased one in the states. He seemed to think it was a winner and was navigating through it like a pro.

If the music is truly functional as well as the phone notifications too, then if the running part stacks up as being at least basic, it should be a useable and viable option.

Pricing is out also and at $349 for 16Gb and $279 for 8Gb versions,  it wins in price also.


One of Chillis early jobs is to review it to see if it has a market here or if it is a piece of junk. We will advise.

Edited by RobGrinter, 19 January 2012 - 12:11 AM.

[wezza]

In a previous post you mentioned that the Australian & American models were different models because of the maps. Was your customer who bought it from the states able to use australian maps? Kinda goes against what Motorola had told you previously.

[RobGrinter]

wezza, on 19 January 2012 - 07:37 AM, said:

In a previous post you mentioned that the Australian & American models were different models because of the maps. Was your customer who bought it from the states able to use australian maps? Kinda goes against what Motorola had told you previously.

No he couldnt, he said that it also wouldnt pair with a certain phone and that someone had written a crack code for it, but not for the maps. He didnt seem to care, he said he was off to Indonesia and just wanted the music and running features.

The demo unit we have here asks the very first question, "What country are you in"  America, Canada, Brazil, Mexico or Argentina ? But definetely not Australia or anywhere even close. Our demo plus customer unit confirms that their is a special model for this region. Motorola advised us that the demo they gave us has no maps and is an American model.

[brettsrun]

RobGrinter, on 18 January 2012 - 10:52 PM, said:

Chilli has it at the moment and is back next week. We also had a customer come in that purchased one in the states. He seemed to think it was a winner and was navigating through it like a pro.

If the music is truly functional as well as the phone notifications too, then if the running part stacks up as being at least basic, it should be a useable and viable option.

Pricing is out also and at $349 for 16Gb and $279 for 8Gb versions,  it wins in price also.


One of Chillis early jobs is to review it to see if it has a market here or if it is a piece of junk. We will advise.

Very Keen to see how this little gadget stacks up, look forward to seeing Chilli's review when he returns from his extended holiday running trails (wished I had the last couple of weeks off in the wilderness to go running) cant think of a better way to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city and technology (though I do love my gadgets )
I'm sure GOW, now famous for the GOW100 is getting a great work out by the Chilliman, whilst down enjoying the Otways, hope he's keeping an eye out for the tiger snakes..

[Beaver]

Edited - pending public apology to CR members for reporting posts that need not have been reported and having them moderated for personal gain.

Edited by Beaver, 19 January 2012 - 10:44 AM.

[undercover brother]

...add one more to the list of closed threads