Garmin introduces its first LTE-enabled smartwatch - The Verge

Garmin has announced its first 4G LTE-enabled GPS smartwatch today, the Vívoactive 3 Music, with support by Verizon Wireless.

Now with cellular connectivity, the watch lets users leave their phones at home when they head out for a run or go to the gym and still be able to listen to music, send text messages, and track their workouts. Garmin claims up to five days of battery life in smartwatch mode, or as little as four hours with GPS enabled, music playing, and LTE enabled.

The device also comes with new safety features, like a built-in incident detection feature that is capable of notifying pre-loaded emergency contacts if an impact or fall is detected. If a user feels unsafe while working out, they can hold the smartwatch’s button for five seconds, quickly sending out a message along with their real-time location to those emergency contacts. Garmin LiveTrack can also be switched on, sharing location data with friends and family at any time.

The original Vívoactive 3 was first announced late last year; this latest version builds on it with the new LTE capabilities. Users will be able to download songs and playlists directly onto the smartwatch, including those from third-party music apps like Deezer, and — some time in the future — Spotify. Wireless headphones can be connected directly to the smartwatch through Bluetooth.

Of course, a Verizon device plan is required in order to access all of the new features. Availability is estimated at between five to eight weeks, but there’s no price listed for the LTE version of a watch that usually costs $299.99.

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