While the whole world was looking at Apple, Samsung, and perhaps even Google for a smartwatch, which will henceforth also be a word in the same league as smartphone, Sony have come out and announced the SmartWatch 2. Yes, it is the second version, and they have already had one for quite some time, though it didn’t do as well as they hoped.
So, what does it do?
This question has a lot more weight to it than you may think. Here are a few of the highlights:
- First of all, as it should be, this is a watch!
- It connects/pairs with your Android smartphone, and acts as a second screen, giving you notifications, apps, as well as being a remote control from your phone.
- A host of smart phone apps are available, which can allow you to do some of the following:
- Handle your calls.
- Take a photo remotely, which is a very clever feature, though we fear it may go underrated.
- Control presentations. (So simple, yet so clever)
- Map out your route while on a run/bike ride.
- Read emails, etc., while not connected to your phone.
- Adjust music, as well as volume.
- Packs in a good sleek look, something Sony have always been very good at.
- NFC capabilities means one touch pairing.
- Ability to function on its own.
- Dust and water-resistant (IP57)
- Personalizing options with different watchstraps
- Sunlight readable display.
Our thoughts
- Being the first to come out with a product is always a very risky move, as everybody gets a chance to one-up you. Sony have come out with a very good product, and that definitely sets a good bar for rest of the potential players to follow.
- The remote feature for taking pictures is a stroke of genius. The ViewFinder gives you the icing on the cake.
- Ability to use this as a fitness watch is a good move as well, though don’t think any smart watch could get away without that.
- Looking at the main specs, it says not suitable for showering, bathing, swimming, diving, snorkelling, water related work and fishing. This just puts me off, even if Sony are only stating this to cover their backs.
- Battery life of 5-6 days is supposedly the longest on offer, but this could easily be challenged.
- Have they missed a trick by not going e-paper? Having said that, view finder, etc, won’t work if it was.
- Overall, a very exciting product, though no availability on price means you can’t judge it.
You might also find interesting, a discussion we had in our team discussing smart watches earlier this year:
Part 1: Exciting or not (https://www.oxgadgets.com/2013/04/smart-watchesexciting-or-not.html)
Part 2: Functionality, Battery, Price (https://www.oxgadgets.com/2013/04/smart-watches-part-2-functionality-battery-price.html)
Key technical specifications
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Sony SmartWatch 2 SW2 |
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Facts |
Size | 41.6mm x 41.1mm x 9 mm |
Weight | Main unit: 23.5gMain unit with silicon strap: 48.4g
Main unit with metal strap: 122.5g
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Hardware |
Transflective LCD (easy to read in sunlight)Aluminium and plastic
Splashproof* *Suitable for everyday use. Splash/rain resistant. NOT suitable for showering, bathing, swimming, diving, snorkeling, water related work and fishing. Please note that the wristband included is not water or splashproof.
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Wristband |
Black metallic. Standard 24 mm watchstrap attached with pins (spring bars). | |
Display |
1.6 inch (220 x 176 pixels) colour displayTouch, swipe
Sunlight readable Multi-level (3)
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Battery time
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Low usage 5-6 daysTypical usage, 3-4 days
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Standards
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Bluetooth 3.0Android release: 4.0 and later
Charging with micro USB
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Languages |
English masterChinese (Trad)
Danish Dutch English French German Greek Japanese Portuguese Czech Russian Polish Spanish Swedish
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Apps ready-to-go
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SmartWatch Host ApplicationCall handling (answer, reject, mute, volume handling)
Call log Missed call notification SMS/MMS Gmail Music remote extension/music handling Calendar Weather Runtastic Viewfinder New events – aggregator
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