Preview: Motorola MOTOACTV, lightweight fitness tracker watch and MP3 player

Today, fitness is not just about being fit and healthy but, it's also about using cool gadgets and apps that add an element of fun to the daily routine. If you are still on the lookout for a device that would motivate you everyday to run those extra miles, then welcome aboard the new fitness gadget MOTOACTV from Motorola.

Motorola MOTOACTV

What is it?

MOTOACTV is a wearable fitness gadget and a smart one at that. Along with the GPS tracking system, the device also sports a clever music player and a host of other nifty features. Small and lightweight, the device can be strapped on to your wrist or arm, clipped on to your clothes or mounted on your bike depending upon your preferences. While keeping a track of your speed, distance and calories burned, it also keeps you entertained and focused with songs from the library or the built in FM radio. And that's not all, the device also syncs with your Android smartphone allowing you to take calls and receive text messages.

Key features

A simple square touch display (46x46x9.6mm) and a capacitive button (the back key) make navigation quite simple and easy. And you don't even have to worry if sweat or running in the rain would spoil your gadget, as it's not only sweat-resistant but also rain-resistant and scratch-resistant.

Equipped with Accusense Technology, MOTOACTV keeps a track of the time taken, distance covered, speed and calories burned while you work out. It also syncs your data wirelessly with MOTOACTV.com, a web portal built specially to track and analyze your performance.

The built in music player in MOTOACTV is no ordinary one. It does more than just playing songs for you. From the playlist, the music player learns what songs motivate you based on your performance against each of the tracks and uses these tracks to make a special playlist to help you reach your goals quicker.

MOTOACTV supports both Bluetooth and wireless so you can connect it to Bluetooth or wireless enabled headphones. Using the free MOTOACTV Android app, you can also answer calls and receive text messages from most of your Android smartphones.

If you are in a mood of different or new songs, you can also switch on to the FM radio for a wider variety of songs.

What's innovative?

Although the square shape of the device and some of its features may seem familiar and quite similar to iPod Nano, it varies in quite a number of aspects. It's not just an MP3 player but also a GPS tracker, which measures your speed, distance and calories burned using the Accusense technology to ensure accurate results.

There's more to what you can do with the workout details saved on the device. You can upload it to MOTOACTV.com to analyze your performance, schedule your workouts, take tips from experts and also compete with others to get to the top of the leader-board.

The in-built MP3 player in MOTOACTV not just plays songs but also interacts with your workout. While you are busy working out, the smart music player accesses how you perform against each of the tracks. Depending upon the result, it automatically puts in all the tracks that boost your performance in a high performance playlist.

For a few extra bucks, you can enjoy the innovative sports headphones, which has a built-in heart rate monitor. A blessing for those who do not like to be squeezed around with the chest strap.

Price and availability

If you are already bewitched with this lightweight fitness gadget, you can pre-order it from Motorola's website or wait till November 6, when it is likely to be available in the market. With so many features, MOTOACTV doesn't come cheap. The 8GB model of the gadget is priced at $249 while the 16GB is $299. Unfortunately, the cool headphones do not come within the pack, you would have to buy them separately, which means a few more dollars. The SF700 comes at a price of $149 and the SF500 at $99.

Accessories

The innovative and stylish headphones complete this cool fitness gadget. You can take your pick from the wireless Bluetooth Motorola SF700, which not only acts as a headphone but also detect your heart rate with the help of its built-in sensor. If you want to save a few dollars, you can even try out the wired Motorola SF500, which has all the functions similar to the other model.

The up side

Available in the brilliant combination of red and black, the watch looks stunning and stylish. It's packed with features such as outdoor readability, sweat-resistant, GPS tracking system, smart MP3 player, wireless and Bluetooth capabilities, sync with Android smartphone and much more. It's difficult not to get attracted to this nice little fitness gadget.

The down side

There is no such down side to this device as such. But, the fact that it doesn't come cheap may deter many to get their hands on MOTOACTV as soon as it's released in the market. However, it's a small price to pay for a great number of features that the gadget comes loaded with.

Our experience

Using MOTOACTV turned out to be quite an interesting experience for us. The smart playlist turned out to be quite impressive. And so was the case with the stereo Bluetooth headphones, which was truly a big relief from the awkward chest-monitor.

The bottomline

There's no doubt that MOTOACTV is quite invaluable in the hands of fitness buffs and serious trainers even with the steep price tag. It doesn't fail to amaze you and does what it promises to do quite effortlessly. It's stylish and lightweight and can be one of your best companions to help you achieve your fitness goals quicker.