Magellan enters the fitness tech game with a ‘dumb’ watch

By Lee Crane Published June 20, 2017

Check out our review of the Magellan Echo smart fitness watch.

We have seen the future and it is filled with smart phones and dumb watches. And by dumb we don’t mean stupid. We mean a watch that does next to nothing on its own, but can display all manner of fitness data generated by a smartphone app via Bluetooth Smart.

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The first device of this kind available in the fitness category was the Wahoo Fitness RFLKT. Though it is not a watch, the RFLKT allows cyclists to view GPS metrics (speed, cadence, power) being generated by their iPhone on a small monitor mounted to their handlebars while the phone stays safely tucked away in a pocket.

Now, GPS navigation giant Magellan is using the same Wahoo Fitness application programming interface that runs the RFLKT to power their newest fitness watch. The Magellan Echo (scheduled for release in time for Christmas 2013) is a brightly colored sports watch that will connect via Bluetooth Smart to a compatible smartphone running fitness apps like the Wahoo Fitness or Strava.

Magellan echo watch colors

Magellan echo watch water resistant

Magellan echo watch macro

Magellan echo watch controls

The Echo, which is water resistant, features a one-inch display with a backlight, time and date. When connected to a smartphone and additional sensors via Bluetooth Smart it can display any metric the smartphone app generates. Heart rate, speed, pace, percent grade, and altitude are only a few of the metrics than can be displayed on the watch. The Echo can also act as a remote control for the smartphone, allowing users to start and stop activity tracking as well as control the music functions on the phone all without ever removing the phone from their pocket. And, it runs on a small coin battery that eliminates the need to plug it in for recharging every night.

When it ships the Echo will sell for $149.99 or $199.99 with an included Bluetooth Smart heart rate monitor. Currently, the Echo is compatible with the iPhone 4s, 5 and some Android phones that support Bluetooth 4.0.

The Echo looks great now, but, with rumored watches coming soon from Samsung and (maybe not so soon) from Apple, it might not be a bad idea to wait and see which of the dumb watches turns out to be the smartest.

Lee Crane's career in action sports spans print, TV, and digital media; his work and handsome mug have appeared in and on Fox…

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Ends tonight: Save 33% on the Nectar mattress for Prime Day 2023

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If you're looking to buy a new mattress, Prime Day is the perfect time to do it, and there's no better company to go with than Nectar. Not only have they been around for a very long time, but they also have some interesting science and technology behind their mattresses, which is perfect for Digital Trends. While we've collected the best deals from Nectar's site, it's still worth exploring all their Prime Day deals using the button link below. Also, before we jump into the deals, we wanted to let you know that all prices are based on queen sizes, but they have everything up to split king if you want it.

What you should shop in this Nectar Prime Day mattress sale.
First, let's take a look at their memory foam mattresses, starting with the , the mattress that launched them into success and a great starter option for $699 rather than $1,049. Moving up from there is the , which is another memory foam mattress and has a phase-change cooling material in it to help if you tend to sleep hot, and is well-priced at $999, down from $1,499. The final memory foam mattress is the , which actually has copper infused into it, which helps draw heat away from your body and is another great mattress to help keep you cool at night. It's currently priced at $1,299 rather than $1,949 and is probably one of the better mattress deals you'll find today.

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Apple's Fitness app on the iPhone 14 Pro.

"Fitness" can mean a lot of things. For some people, it's being able to run far or fast. For others, it's being able to lift heavy things and lower them back down again. Others may simply want to keep trim or eat healthily. It may even mean getting a great night's sleep, or making sure your mental wellness is at its best. Whatever fitness means for you, we have a list of apps that cover all the possible bases. These apps excel in a number of different areas, but what they all generally have in common is that they use iOS' powerful tech to monitor and analyze your performance. As a result, they can help you progress along your fitness journey.

With 2025 now upon us, getting in shape -- and staying in shape -- is at the top of your list of New Year's resolutions. These apps will help you kick the new year off on a good foot and maintain your physical fitness for the rest of the year and every year after. You can pair the apps with other tech for best results, so make sure to check out our lists of the best fitness trackers and the best running headphones. Here are the best fitness apps for the iPhone in 2025.
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Health & Fitness

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GlassesUSA frames close up with multiple styles.

Need a new pair of glasses? Want to stock up for your holiday trips before you head to meet up with your relatives? Typically, you'd have to wait until the official Black Friday event, the day after Thanksgiving, or maybe even Cyber Monday, but that's not the case this year. Alongside a variety of the best online glasses deals, GlassesUSA is hosting a huge Black Friday sale early, allowing you to save big on prescription glasses and frames with no waiting necessary. Of course, we always recommend browsing the sale of your own accord to see what's discounted because we couldn't possibly cover everything, nor could we know precisely what you're looking for. That said, we've called out quite a few of the best deals below.

What to shop in the early GlassesUSA Black Friday sale
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