Smartphones have come a long way in both style and substance since the nascent days of old Blackberry and Windows Mobile devices. Are watches in for the same evolution?
Sony thinks so. Last winter, they released the Sony SmartWatch, an Android-based wristwatch. While it didn’t garner much positive buzz, it did set the stage for the product’s evolution. Recently, Sony announced the SmartWatch 2. If you’re wondering why we’re talking about this, it’s because Sony decided to go the same route as many smartphone manufacturers and use a lightweight aluminum frame. From MobileSyrup:
The water- and dust-resistant timepiece aims to be an improved version of what many people considered a half-baked product when it was announced in early 2012. The SmartWatch 2, however, is based on much newer Android software, supports newer Bluetooth protocols, and is, frankly, a better, more fully-realized product overall.
It has a 1.6-inch 220×176 pixel display with three Android navigation buttons below its screen — back, home and menu. The SmartWatch 2 is compatible with a range of Android apps, and can function as a second screen for incoming calls and texts, and even be utilized as a camera remote.
The SmartWatch 2 also joins a number of recent Sony products in a consistent design approach; you can see the nicely-crafted aluminum power button on the right hand side, and the entire product has been built with a lot more care than its predecessor. Sony will offer a stainless steel black wristband if the included plastic one isn’t up to scratch, and the SmartWatch 2 is compatible with all 24mm straps.
Will connected watches take off the same way smartphones have? It’s hard to tell, but at the very least, manufacturers like Sony have picked a winning material for their product frames.