HTC continues its technology connected devices portfolio expansion today with the introduction of the HTC Grip – an IP57 waterproof fitness tracker, powered by Under Armour Record. But the HTC Grip isn’t just another FitBit knockoff. The device features integrated GPS and is intended to athletes and fitness enthusiasts more than the average consumer who simply wants to track how many steps they take in a day.
Rather than making its own app, HTC has chosen to partner directly with Under Armour to use its Record app to track your fitness activity, sleep cycles and the social aspect of your workout. While fitness tracking is the main goal, the HTC Grip connects to your phone via Bluetooth 4.0 to display notifications, weather and music controls on its 32 x 160 PMOLED touchscreen display. The Grip is able to last two and a half days on a single charge when connected to your phone with Bluetooth. But if you’re using the GSP to track a run, the number drops to 5 hours.
Unfortunately, the HTC Grip does not come with any usable internal storage, so you will have to lug around your smartphone if you want to listen to music during your workout. HTC also chose not to include a heart rate monitor. This decision was made because HTC felt that the current generation of sensors that are used on other smartwatches are not accurate enough. Instead, the Grip can be paired with chest strap monitors which delivery extremely accurate information.
“Our partnership with Under Armour has allowed us to direct our combined ambition, talent and passion towards developing new ways to empower athletes to make the most of their training every day. Grip is our first product to offer deep integration with UA Record, providing an experience that will surpass the high standards of even professional athletes.” – Drew Bamford, Corporate Vice President of HTC Creative Labs
The HTC Grip will be initially available in Deep Teal/Lime with three different size options starting this Spring. HTC will be selling the Grip for $199.99 through HTC.com, Under Armour, Academy Sports + Outdoors, AT&T, Cabela’s, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Sports Authority, and Walmart.
[divider]Press Release[/divider]
HTC UNVEILS HTC GRIP: SERIOUS PERFORMANCE FOR SERIOUS ATHLETES
HTC launches GPS-enabled smart fitness tracker designed for UA Record™
Barcelona, Mobile World Congress, March 1, 2015 – HTC, a global leader in innovation and design, today unveiled its first high-performance, smart fitness tracker, the GPS-enabled HTC Grip™. Powered by UA Record, the new health and fitness network from Under Armour designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, Grip fuses HTC’s renowned design with powerful, accurate tracking across a range of sports and activities, allowing athletes to set personal goals, then smash them. Compatible with Android and iOS devices1, as well as Bluetooth-enabled accessories like heart-rate monitors, Grip extends its functionality, providing additional performance data to the Under Armour Connected Fitness™ platform.
Drew Bamford, Corporate Vice President of HTC Creative Labs commented, “Our partnership with Under Armour has allowed us to direct our combined ambition, talent and passion towards developing new ways to empower athletes to make the most of their training every day. Grip is our first product to offer deep integration with UA Record, providing an experience that will surpass the high standards of even professional athletes.”
Robin Thurston, SVP, Connected Fitness, Under Armour said, “HTC is an exciting partner for Under Armour and Grip, designed by HTC and powered exclusively by UA Record, is just a taste of what’s to come in the next year. Together we’re looking forward to exploring new ways to empower and inspire athletes of all levels and to rewrite the rulebook of performance tracking, training and improvement.”
Uncompromising design, peak performance
Grip is designed to comfortably support even the most extreme training regimes. The contoured, waterproof band conforms to your wrist without pinching your skin or catching on clothing during workouts. The curved PMOLED display also makes it easy to read time, distance and notifications on the move. Available in three sizes, to ensure a perfect fit, Grip complements even the most advanced training equipment and apparel in both style and performance.
Capable of tracking and recording a variety of workouts (from running and cycling to time spent at the gym), Grip is also waterproof2, making it perfect for tracking every step, from the gym to the shower and beyond. Its 100mAh battery lasts up to five hours when the integrated GPS is turned on, enabling Grip to accurately capture route, distance, pace and calories burned, all of which sync with UA Record in real time. Grip also connects to an assortment of external heart rate monitors, including the Under Armour A39, making it ideal for athletes wanting to track their heart rate. For everyday usage, Grip lasts up to 2.5 days on a single charge, ideal for tracking daily activity.
Professional trainers will agree that sleep is crucial to the success of any serious training program and Grip’s auto sleep detection records the total amount of time spent asleep. Periods of deep and light sleep are also recorded with a view to helping you develop sleep patterns that will help athletes unlock peak fitness and performance.
Stay connected, stay focused
Even in the midst of the most punishing workout, nobody wants to feel out of touch. When connected to an Android or iOS smartphone, a simple glance at your wrist allows you to see incoming call and message notifications, without missing a step or interrupting your flow. A clear, 1.8 inch PMOLED display shows your latest real-time stats and provides an easy way to remotely control your music playlist from your wrist.
Go hard or go home – get inspired with full UA Record integration
The HTC Grip has been designed to seamlessly synchronize performance data with Under Armour’s UA Record, allowing you to access powerful analytics that show the impact of your training along with your social community and exclusive content for an all-in-one digital experience. Be inspired by updates from professional athletes, nutritionists and trainers, or alternatively, make your personal motivation a team effort, and support your friends with their goals, by sharing your updates and photos or competing directly with them in interactive challenges.
The HTC Grip will be available in Deep Teal/Lime at select retailers in North America, beginning this Spring. It will be available at HTC.com, Under Armour, Academy Sports + Outdoors, AT&T, Cabela’s, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Sports Authority, and Walmart. More information on availability will be shared in the coming weeks. Follow @HTCUSA and visit www.htc.com for more information.
….How in the world do you decide to leave a heart rate monitor off of a “fitness tracker”? I simply can’t understand that decision.
http://www.cnet.com/news/how-accurate-are-wristband-heart-rate-monitors/
Thanks for the article. I can understand that tech hasn’t caught up with quality expectations yet, but it makes me question getting into the market in the first place.
I’m not a super athlete, but I consider myself an above average one. And if they’re truly trying to market to the super-committed, any band sans-hrt is DoA.
Question though: Knowing that pulse monitoring is hit and miss on accuracy, is this a relevant feature for you in a wist based monitor?
I would say yes. Until that technology is reliable (and seeing from the above posted article, currently, you could almost argue it’s dangerously not-so) I don’t think it should be included in any smart band releases.. then again, there’s a sucker born every minute, and who am I to stop someone from selling something.
I would say that until that’s a viable technology, I wouldn’t consider getting a fitness band. I like that it tracks sleep cycles, and I think there’s potential in that area (personally, I think a wrist band that quietly vibrates as a work alarm, for example, would be a pretty good feature). I guess it’s more durable than a fitbit or something along those lines, but I just don’t see what it adds to a “tougher workout,” like HTC is supposed to be aiming for, that justifies paying the money for it.
This isn’t from an HTC hater; I’m probably getting the M9 and the VR-Steam deal is intriguing, but if they don’t go a different direction with this concept (since they’re going for “Porsche,” with their phone, maybe go a more premium, consistent direction), or improve on the technology (that I oh-so-objectively evaluated /s) I see this as a waste of resources.