Sony have stepped up their game in trying to compete with Fitbit in the fitness wearable game, unveiling their SmartBand 2 activity tracker.
The SmartBand 2 adds a heart rate monitor but subtracts a screen, with it boasting a minimalist design that, if we are to be critical, looks a little bit like one of those bracelets that charities hand out. With that being said fitness wearables aren’t exactly known for their stylish aesthetics, with it being more preferable that they can slip onto a user’s wrist and remain as discreet as possible.
Similar to the SmartBand Talk, the Smartband 2 will be able to pair to iOS and Android smartphones, vibrating when they receive calls, texts, emails and other such notifications. This is handy for those out on the move who may have their smartphone tucked away in a bag, allowing them to answer calls and messages without having to carry their device in their pocket. It won’t do much other than simply alert you that you have missed calls/messages, though, given its lack of a screen.
Unfortunately the commercial advertising the device is something of a trainwreck, (“tonight was FUN. Everybody was there! Oh, and this guy – he really made my heart beat faster!”) but when isn’t that the case with technology ads?
Sony is branding the device a “lifelogger,” with the company clearly intending for it be something you wear on your wrist throughout the day in order to monitor your stress levels, heart rate and other such data. This is achieved by the device being paired with Sony’s Lifelog app, which will collate your fitness data in order to give you an overview of what you’ve achieved during the day.
The Sony SmartBand 2 will go on sale in September for $132, and will be available in black and white. Pink and indigo (see: blue) options will be available following its launch. It’ll support iOS 8.2 and Android 4.4 at launch, and here’s hoping Sony manages to couple if with some great software if they want to stand any chance of making a dent in a Fitbit-dominated market.
