Hands On : Sony Rs. 14990 SmartWatch 2 is lesson Samsung could use

In a massive blow to competition, Sony has launched the new SmartWatch 2 in India for a price of Rs. 14990. The Smart Watch 2 is an upgrade to Sony’s last generation of watch, aka the SmartWatch and adds a series of fixes and upgrades to the previous version. 

SmartWatch 2 comes with a bigger 1.6-inch screen with higher resolution 220×176 pixels resolution, compared to the 1.3-inch screen 128×128 display on its predecessor. Sony has left out frills of the Samsung Gear out of the SmartWatch making it a companion device, allowing you to interact with your smartphone to the extent of notifications and data exchange. Although the SmartWatch 2 does not take phone calls and does not click images, it is considerably cheaper than Samsung’s pitch. 

SmartWatch 2 just like the original SmartWatch lets you get updates from networks, Notifications, calls, email, Facebook or Twitter, Calendar, or use it as a remote for your Walkman app. The SmartWatch 2 comes pre loaded with a set of applications but more can be downloaded from the Sony store. 

Apps allow several new features for the Sony SmartWatch2:

• Take a photo remotely with the smart camera app.
• Control your presentations remotely using Presentation Pal.
• Runtastic app allows to map and instantly track your fitness.
• Read previously downloaded e-mails when not connected to your phone.
• Control your music player.

Sony has continued their IP57 certification tradition with the SmartWatch 2 making it water and dust proof and a highly usable accessory. Sony has also one upped Samsung in making the watch face visible even when the display is off and allowing a battery life of upto a week on the SmartWatch 2. 

The SmartWatch 2 as an accessory will work with any mobile phone with Bluetooth 4.0 or above and will work across mobile platforms on Android and iOS, another feature that the Galaxy Gear lacked. 

Although two major elements (Phone call capability and image capture) are missing from the SmartWatch 2, it offers a more practical solution with a usable setup, the SmartWatch 2 is more flexible, compatible across platforms and durable.

So which one will you pick? The Galaxy Gear for Rs. 22990 or the SmartWatch 2 for Rs. 14990?

Stay tuned for our hands on video.

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