Alcatel aren’t the only people announcing smartwatches, although in the case of Sony it isn’t a new model rather a couple of new strap options for the existing Sony Smartwatch 3.
First up is a new metal body for the Smartwatch 3, similar to the business edition of the Smartwatch 2. The new stainless steel edition due to go on sale next month hass the same features as the normal Smartwatch 3 but drops the IP68 rating to IP58 so a little dust may get into the device but won’t do any harm.
Also announced at CES was the opening up of the Lifelog API that the Smartwatch 3 and all the Smartbands use. Some of the new apps that will shortly be released are:
IFTTT which allows connections between Lifelog and your favourite apps.
Habit Monster which tracks your healthy (and unhealthy) habits so you can learn more about yourself.
Withings Smart Body Analyser allows you to monitor your height, BMI and body fat using a range of connected devices.
Also announced is the Smartwatch 3 holder which allows you to use any 24 mm watch strap by clipping the Smartwatch 3 into the holder and then changing the strap as you see fit to suit your style or mood. Again the new holder will be available in the “early part of 2015” so probably in next month or so.
Sony also announced a range of fashion straps for the original Smartband and a couple of new concepts – the Smart B-trainer designed for runners which coaches you as you run and the SmartEyeglass Developer Edition, Sony’s answer to Google Glass.
5th January 2015, CES, Las Vegas –Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) – At CES 2015 Sony introduced new products, partners and experiences to its evolving SmartWear range – a sleek stainless steel edition of SmartWatch 3, new Lifelog collaborations, and concept wearable devices, including a multi-sensor, waterproof headset prototype, from Sony Corporation, designed for optimising performance and providing real time insight on the running track.
“Our approach to smart, wearable technology is based on the fundamentals of building depth and variety in user experiences, and providing choice with beautiful, functional products,” said Kaz Tajima, Senior Vice President, Head of UX Creative Design and Planning at Sony Mobile Communications. “The expansion of Lifelog – both in terms of its open API and our vision for new wearable concepts – will allow creative partners to integrate their apps and services to our platform – giving our users access to the richest, most varied wearable ecosystem.”
Designing for modular technology, with SmartBand SWR10
At CES last year, Sony first showcased SmartBand SWR10 – a 24/7 wearable device; fully waterproof1 (rated IP58) despite its exposed microUSB port. A light, unobtrusive wearable that first featured Sony’s modular approach – the independent “core concept” – it allowed the technology to be worn in different colours and styles, to suit individual taste and personality.
Over the past year, Sony Mobile has worked with creatives and brands from across the lifestyle, fashion, and design spectrum to explore custom apparel, establishing collections for Sony SmartWear from the likes of Jack Vartanian, ALTEWAISAOME, and Ted Baker – and most recently, the popular women’s lifestyle brand, ROXY.
An elegant creative approach – SmartWatch 3, now in stainless steel
Sony unveiled the new stainless steel edition of SmartWatch 3, rolling out globally from next month.
SmartWatch 3 in beautiful stainless steel matches contemporary with timeless aestheticism for a premium look and feel. It features a 1.6” 320×320 TFT LCD Transflective display for visibility in bright sunlight, and is of course water protected2, rated IP68 – it charges via a standard microUSB port.
To further broaden the range of wearing styles available, Sony also unveiled a new SmartWatch 3 holder, allowing users and partners alike to customise SmartWatch 3 with any standard 24mm watch strap; available from the early part of 2015.
Even without your Android smartphone, SmartWatch 3 is a fun and useful accessory with impressive standalone functionality – featuring native music playback, intelligent sensor technology and a unique inbuilt GPS sensor.
Golfshot and iFit are two developers already creating Android Wear experiences with SmartWatch 3′s standalone capability, for both performance on the course and track respectively – from January, every SmartWatch 3 user will have exclusive access to the premium Golfshot and iFit apps out of the box3.
Sony also announced a new collaboration with Virgin Atlantic – to explore SmartWear initiatives together, to develop unique solutions using Sony’s SmartWear products to support operational activities and enhance the customer service experience for Virgin Atlantic customers. More news will follow over the coming months.
Lifelog – inspiration through insight, for any Android user
Downloadable from the Google Play Store, Lifelog is the popular Android app built to help you set personal goals, monitor progress, get to know yourself better and make smarter choices about your health, entertainment, and more.
Users can now access Lifelog through their browser at lifelog.sonymobile.com. It’s a new web interface that uses the open API functionality and latest HTML5 technologies, for a more visual experience. The site will work with any screen size, from your smartphone to your tablet to your TV – all you’ll have to do is log in using your Sony Entertainment Network4 account.
The new feature reflects Sony’s strategy to regularly bring new functionality and features to Lifelog, to keep the experiences as current as they possibly can be.
Creating new experiences, with open principles
Sony is teaming up with a variety of lifestyle and health apps, so you can get the most out of the services you already love and discover new ones, to complement your SmartWear and Lifelog experience. Starting soon, Lifelog will enable you to:
Access Recipes on IFTTT for intuitive connections between Lifelog and your favourite apps
Develop healthy habits with Habit Monster, so you canlearn more about yourself within Lifelog
Use Withings Smart Body Analyzer and its other connected health devices, to monitor your weight, BMI, and body fat in Lifelog
“Lifelog is inspiration through insight, and our first partners are helping us bring this to life in new ways” said Yasuharu Nomura, Director of Experience Planning at Sony Mobile Communications. “We specifically designed the Lifelog platform on open principles, with capability that will help developers to build new experiences and access the Sony ecosystem like never before – it’s going to be an exciting year ahead.”
Exploring new wearable concepts and contextual sensor technology
Off the back of launching the software development kit, Sony Corporation is also sharing new applications for current prototype, SmartEyeglass Developer Edition, along with a new conceptual style, SmartEyeglass Attach! – a single lens display module for attaching to regular glasses, allowing developers to create applications for sport and performance.
Sony Corporation’s Smart B-Trainer prototype was also introduced – a waterproof all-in-one headset style device with multi-sensor capability specifically designed for runners. The current prototype features inbuilt memory – and will provide voice coaching, as well as music playback, intelligently suggesting the most suitable soundtrack to accompany a runner during a workout.
At CES last year, Sony first showcased