Smartwatches today haven’t yet reached the must-have status among consumers—not yet. But companies, big and small, are banking on the market fully blowing up in 2013; the year wearable technology will be the next big mobile revolution. To get ahead of the trend, Sony has announced its brand new touch Sony SmartWatch 2 at the Mobile Asia Expo, a device the company claims is “the most advanced smartwatch available.”
The Sony SmartWatch 2 features a 1.6-inch 220×176 touchscreen, which is larger than the 1.3-inch display on the previous SmartWatch. Sony also promises that the display on the SmartWatch 2 is easier to read in sunlight. Along with its larger display, the SmartWatch 2 packs Bluetooth 3.0, NFC, a micro-USB port and the ability to be used with any standard 24mm wrist strap. Finally, the SmartWatch 2 is IP57 rated, meaning that it can withstand splashed water and rain.
“We have over 200 unique apps dedicated for Sony SmartWatch with over one million downloads to date and we are continuing to work with our strong developer network to deliver even more compelling smartwatch experiences,” said Stefan K. Persson, Head of Companion Products at Sony Mobile Communications.
On the software side of things, the Sony SmartWatch 2 is powered by Android and features a UI similar to Google’s mobile OS, which Sony says helps to make the SmartWatch 2 a more intuitive experience. The new wrist gear can also display a user’s missed notifications (including Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, calls and messages) and can be used as a remote for a Sony Walkman or other media players. Sony says that the SmartWatch 2 is compatible with “most Android phones.” The device is expected to begin shipping worldwide in September 2013.
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