Sony has announced the launch of the second generation of their smart watch, called Smart Watch 2. Read on for details!
Sony has announced the launch of the second generation of their smart watch, called Smart Watch 2. This looks like a nice update, with more functionality and a broader range of compatible Android phones to pair it with. Here is the press release:
Sony® SmartWatch 2 Launches in U.S.
- Water-resistant[1] smartwatch with NFC and long battery life
- Android compatibility enables pairing SmartWatch 2 with the Android smartphone of choice[2]
- Wide variety of apps now available from Google Play™
October 15, 2013 ATLANTA, GA –Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today announces the U.S. availability of SmartWatch 2. SmartWatch 2 represents the second generation in Sony’s smartwatch product line, building on the applications ecosystem of its predecessor, which has realized more than one million downloads of apps over the last year.
Sony SmartWatch 2 delivers a stylish and practical design with great battery life, water resistance, and excellent readability even in bright sunlight. The device can be paired with Android™ smartphones (version 4.0 and later) and is supported by an ever-growing catalog of downloadable apps to enhance the Android smartphone experience.
“Sony SmartWatch 2 seamlessly expands the user experience for today’s active smartphone culture, said Ravi Nookala, president, Sony Mobile Communications (USA). “The average smartphone user reaches for their device more than 100 times per day to check text messages, read emails and social network notifications and of course, to check the time. SmartWatch 2 makes these core tasks easier, and does much more with apps available, for everything from productivity to fitness and games.”
Keep your smartphone in your pocket or purse
SmartWatch 2 facilitates the most common tasks, easily and discreetly. Even the set up is easy, with simple One-touch NFC pairing to your Android smartphone. Within minutes of turning SmartWatch 2 on, you will be able to check text messages, calendar events, Gmail®, Facebook® and Twitter® notifications (including the ability to “like” and re-Tweet® from the device), and much more.
SmartWatch 2 vibrates to let you know when there is new information to read.
Beautiful, durable design
SmartWatch 2 draws on the same design language seen in Sony’s latest Xperia® smartphones, combining a slim minimalistic appearance that includes Sony’s signature aluminum power button. With an IP57 rating, it is dust-proof and water-resistant down to three feet of fresh water for as long as thirty minutes. SmartWatch 2 offers a number of stylish strap options, including stainless steel, brown or black leather as well as five silicon colors. Even better, Sony has used a standard 24mm standard pin strap mount, so you can personalize SmartWatch 2 with just about any strap you choose.
Long battery life, better readability in sunlight
Based on consumer feedback from its previous smartwatch, Sony has worked hard to extend the battery life of SmartWatch 2 with a power-efficient processor.
Furthermore, its transflective screen produces better readability in bright sunlight without the need for a backlight. The result is a device lasting (under normal usage conditions) around three to four days between charges.
An open eco-system based on Android
SmartWatch 2 users can already access more than eighty fully optimized apps as well as more than two hundred apps owing to SmartWatch 2’s backwards compatibility with its predecessor. Sony has been working with third party developers to support the ongoing rollout of applications optimized specifically for SmartWatch 2. All compatible applications are easily discoverable via a simple search function in Sony’s Smart Connect™ app, which comes preloaded on Sony
Xperia smartphones or can be downloaded from the Google Play store for other Android smartphones.
Pricing and availability for Sony SmartWatch 2:
Sony SmartWatch 2 has a suggested retail price of $199.95 and will be available at store.sont.com and select Sony stores. Other online retailers will also carry SmartWatch 2. For additional availability and pricing, please check with each retailer.
Key features for Sony SmartWatch 2:
- Transflective display, readable in bright sunlight
- Long battery life, 3-4 days normal usage
- Water-resistant (IP57)
- Extended compatibility (works with most smartphones Android 4.0 and later)
- Easy setup with NFC pairing (for non-NFC smartphones, standard Bluetooth® pairing applies).
- Easy discovery of applications
- Standalone watch functionality, including alarm and timer
- Standard micro USB charging
- Intuitive User interface similar to Android
- Bigger display with higher resolution (1.6 inch, 220 x 176 pixels)
- High quality materials (aluminum body with black silicon wristband in kit) Additional wristbands available in various colors and materials
[1] In compliance with IP57, SmartWatch 2 is protected against the ingress of dust and is water resistant. Provided that the charging port cover is fully closed, the watch can be kept under 3 feet of freshwater for up to 30 minutes in compliance with IP57. The watch is not designed to float or work submerged underwater outside the IP57 classification range and should not be exposed to any liquid chemicals. If liquid detection is triggered on the watch or battery, your warranty will be void.
[2] SmartWatch 2 is compatible with Android phones with versions 4.0 and later
Check out some product pictures here:
And this video:
This looks like a fun product! Check it out!
