Introducing Bounce, the first LTE-connected kids smartwatch from Garmin

Rhea-AI Summary

Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) has launched Bounce, a kids' smartwatch featuring LTE connectivity, enabling parents to communicate with and track their children without needing a smartphone. The device includes a color touchscreen, durable design, real-time location tracking, and two-way messaging via the Garmin Jr. app. Bounce also promotes an active lifestyle by tracking fitness metrics and allowing parents to assign chores. Priced at $149.99, it is available exclusively on Garmin.com. A subscription plan is required for LTE features.

Positive

• Launch of Bounce enhances Garmin's product line targeting children.
• Includes features like location tracking and two-way communication, appealing to parents.
• Encourages active lifestyles, boosting potential sales in health-oriented markets.

Negative

• Requires an active subscription for LTE services, which may deter some customers.
• Battery life limited to up to 2 days may not meet consumer expectations.

With communication and location tracking technology, Bounce delays the need for a smartphone

OLATHE, Kan., Nov. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Garmin (NYSE: GRMN), today announced Bounce^_™, a kids smartwatch with LTE connectivity¹ that lets parents easily communicate with and locate their child. For parents, guardians or family members who want to delay purchasing a smartphone for the child in their life, Bounce provides a communication tool for kids who do not need a fully featured smartphone. With a bright, color touchscreen display and a durable, swim-friendly design, Bounce offers two-way text and voice messaging, as well as real-time location tracking to the Garmin Jr. app on a parent or guardian compatible smartphone. Along with communication, Bounce offers fitness and activity tracking², fun games, and even lets parents assign chores and give rewards.

"As one of the world's leading smartwatch companies, we are thrilled to offer parents peace of mind with a smartwatch that allows them to stay in touch with their kids while also keeping an eye on their location," said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of consumer sales. "Not only will kids feel cool wearing it, but parents will feel comfortable introducing their children to digital communication in a fun and controlled way through texts, voice messaging and tracking right from their wrist."

Stay connected for peace of mind

Using Bounce's built-in GPS and LTE connectivity, parents can stay connected and know their kid's location with location tracking on Bounce, all through the Garmin Jr. app on the parents' compatible smartphone. No need to switch phone service providers – the LTE subscription is managed directly through Garmin. Parents can set defined areas and be notified when their kid leaves the set boundaries. Children can also use the "check in" feature to share their current location, which sends a notification to the Garmin Jr. app on the parents' smartphones. In case kids forget, parents can "refresh" their child's location in the Garmin Jr. app to see their current whereabouts. 

In addition to location tracking, families can communicate with their kids through the Garmin Jr. app. Directly from their watch, kids can send text and voice messages to the Garmin Jr. app on a compatible smartphone or to other Bounce smartwatches, so long as both watches are approved to communicate with each other by their family administrators. They can also respond with customizable preset messages, voice messages, emojis or sound emojis to parent-approved contacts and in Garmin Jr. family group messages. During school days, parents can turn on school mode or do-not-disturb from the Garmin Jr. app to limit distractions to help kids stay focused while they're in the classroom.

If a child needs help, parents can have peace of mind knowing they and other contacts they approve in the Garmin Jr. app will be sent a message when their child activates the Assistance feature³. This notification will include a LiveTrack location view of their child's live location directly in the Garmin Jr. app.

Track activities, chores, and more at their fingertips

With Bounce, parents can encourage an active lifestyle from a young age. Health metrics such as sleep, steps and active minutes, as well as fitness activities including walking, running, biking, pool swimming and more can be tracked and viewed in the Garmin Jr. app. Parents can also send notifications to remind their kids to complete chores and other responsibilities. These friendly reminders can be set up to recur weekly or even daily. To help children better manage their time, Bounce puts a stopwatch, alarm and timer right on their wrist to let them know when it's time to do homework or when it's time to get ready for soccer practice.

Interactive adventures, quizzes, games and more

Entertainment is less than an arm's length away with Bounce. Gamification of health and habits lets kids unlock rewards for meeting their active goals and responsibilities, including fun and educational games and adventures. Adventures will let young explorers learn about different places around the globe through trivia games and new facts directly on the Garmin Jr. app on their parent's smartphone. In addition to earning rewards, kids can also compete with their family and friends in individual and team challenges. When it's not time to be active, children can test their minds with educational games such as puzzles and flash cards right on their watch.

Bounce is available now in three colors – Green Burst, Black Camo and Lilac Floral – and features up to 2 days of battery life⁴. It can be purchased exclusively on Garmin.com for $149.99. While supplies last, every Bounce purchase also includes a free copy of Garmin's "Women of Adventure: Being Brave in a Big World," a children's book to inspire the next generation of explorers. An active subscription plan and LTE connectivity is required to use connected features, including text and voice messaging, Assistance, and LiveTrack. For more information, visit Garmin.com/Bounce.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized the wellness industry. Committed to developing wearables and health measurement tools that help people of all activity levels lead healthier lives, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual Newsroom, email our press team, connect with @garminwellness on social media, or follow our adventures at garmin.com/blog.

1To use LTE features on each device, an active subscription plan and LTE connectivity is required; see LTE coverage area at Garmin.com/BounceLTEcoverage 2See Garmin.com/ataccuracy 3To use Assistance, an active subscription plan and LTE connectivity is required; see LTE coverage area at Garmin.com/BounceLTEcoverage For safety and tracking feature requirements and limitations, see Garmin.com/BounceFeatureRequirements. 4Connected feature usage as well as LTE network conditions will have a significant impact on battery life.

About Garmin International, Inc. Garmin International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademark, and Bounce and Garmin Jr. are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2021, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0001-411180). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Griffin Schaetzle
913-440-5817
media.relations@garmin.com

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SOURCE Garmin International, Inc.

FAQ

What is Bounce from Garmin?

Bounce is a kids' smartwatch with LTE connectivity that allows parents to communicate with and track their children.

When was Bounce launched?

Bounce was launched on November 15, 2022.

How much does the Bounce smartwatch cost?

The Bounce smartwatch is priced at $149.99.

What features does Bounce offer?

Bounce includes features like two-way messaging, real-time location tracking, and fitness tracking.

Where can I buy the Bounce smartwatch?

Bounce is available exclusively on Garmin.com.

Is a subscription needed for Bounce?

Yes, an active subscription plan is required to use the LTE features of Bounce.