| Versions |
  |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
gpspassion
93427 Posts |
 Posted - 29 janv. 2011 : 06:50:24
|
PREVIEW - NIKE+ TOMTOM GPS WATCH
SiRFstarIV - Nike+ shoe sensor compatible - Touchscreen - Built-in USB
The back of the "Sportswatch GPS"
Nike and TomTom used the the CES show at the beginning of January 2011 to introduce their GPS watch, the Nike+ SportWatch GPS that is due to become available on April 1st, 2011...but it's no joke and anyway release dates of tech products often slip ;-) More to the point, this GPS watch makes a very good first impression with its compact format and its very legible "negative" display. Other than the flashy but well hidden bright yellow color of its back it could pass for a "normal" watch, a trend for GPS watches since the Garmin Forerunner 405 was released in 2009. I was able to spend a bit of time with the watch and its product manager, Stephen, inside TomTom's private booth at CES and here is what I brought back :
ITEMS OF NOTE :- Powered by a SiRFstarIV GPS chip like Garmin's Forerunner 110/210 launched in April 2010. As a result a SiRFstarIII type level of performance should be maintained in spite of a smaller form factor (couldn't see an antenna) with improved battery life.
- The battery life without GPS is rated at 40 days, a record, the Forerunner 405 was 15 days and the FR110 3 weeks. In continuous GPS use it should reach 9 hours, like on the Garmin watches.
- The USB connector is built into the bracelet, no need for a cable anymore to connect it to your computer to upload the tracks, see the pictures below.
- The interface is simple and ergonomic with a "negative" display (colors are reversed) that is particularly legible
- It has a touch screen : almost, apparently it is sensitive to acceleration so you can start and stop the stopwatch by tapping on the screen with your finger, I was able to confirm that.
- It can connect to the sensor inside the Nike+ shoes for pace measurement and to correct potential GPS errors in difficult environments.
- The training sessions recorded on the watch can be analyzed on the www.NikePlus.com site (already used for the iPhone application) with automatic "improvement" of the GPS tracks particularly by using the pace sensor inside the Nike+ shoes if available. This results in smoother tracks that are more pleasant to review and truer to the actual track, than the raw GPS track that can "jump around" quite a bit, especially in dense urban environments.
- No HRM (Heart Rate Monitor) connection apparently. I asked what wireless protocol was being used for Nike+ and they didn't think it was ANT+...not a huge surprise since ANT+ was bought by Garmin last year! Low power Bluetooth would work well for this type of connection, but it's taking a while to appear though for some reason.
- No display of the lat/long of the GPS position unfortunately. This could be useful to share the position over the phone in case of an emergency. The product manager agreed and said they would look into it before the watch hits the market.
- The price hadn't been set but they said it would be "competitive"
- To be continued after the launch...
PICTURES :
 
The Nike+ TomTom watch was featured on the CNET channel that was broadcasting live from the CES
The Nike+ watch was right in the middle of TomTom's private booth
Zooming in on the display area
The negative display is very legible thanks to the large characters
A wearable watch that is still a bit massive, not unlike some of the Omega watches of the 70s !
  
The USB connector is smartly integrated into the "buckle" of the strap.
Questions, comments? |
Discounts and Assistance/Réductions et Assistance (Club GpsPasSion) / Où commencer? |
|
|
Ads
|
|
|
gpspassion
93427 Posts |
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| This page was generated in 0,39 seconds. |
 |
|
- 
- 
[PREVIEW] Nike+ TomTom GPS Watch with SiRFstarIV
