The Smart
Watch 2 remains one of the best looking smart watches in the market. Fans of
Sony Xperia mobile devices will like the design as it inherits the design DNA
from its larger counterparts.
If
your smartphone is an Android™, then this is the watch for you. SmartWatch 2
expands your Android experience and introduces new and exciting ways to live
and communicate.
The Smart
Watch 2 is water resistant with an IP57 rating, allowing you to submerge it up
to 3 feet for up to 30 minutes. Its micro-USB port, used for charging, is
equally protected by a sealed cover.
In terms of
handling, the Smart Watch 2 is more portable than Samsung’s Galaxy Gear. It
weighs just 48.4g, while the Galaxy Gear is almost 30g heavier. Its size should
suit most consumers, but those with smaller wrists may find it a tad bulky.
Now in its
third generation, the Smart Watch 2 disappoints a little with its mediocre
display resolution of 220 x 176 pixels. Because of this, it’s easy to spot
pixels on the screen and app icons do not appear sharp. The Galaxy Gear, as a
first generation device, already sports a 320 x 320 pixel display.
SmartWatch
also comes with a stylish wrist strap. If you want
another wrist strap to suit your style, you can use any standard 24mm wrist
strap.
To pair the
device with your phone (Android 4.0 and above), you need to download the Smart
Connect and Smart Watch 2 apps. The latter enables you to customize the user
experience and download apps. There are more than 300 apps developed for the
Smart Watch 2. To put it to perspective, its major competitors, the Galaxy Gear
has about 70 apps and the Pebble watch has over 2,200 apps.
SmartWatch
2 works with any smartphone or tablet running Android 4.0 or later
The Smart
Watch 2 notifies you of emails, text messages and incoming calls. You also can
access starred contacts, search for contacts and dial numbers. It has no mic
though; calls will be connected to your phone.
Android users
will find operating the device a breeze as it uses the standard capacitive
navigation buttons (back, home and menu). Navigation is intuitive enough,
though sluggish when swiping between screens. It should last two to three days
of moderate usage, and is convenient to charge via standard micro-USB cable.
Priced at
$288 (silicone strap) and $338 (metallic strap), the Sony Smart Watch 2 remains
a luxury as far as tech wearables go. If looks and design are important to you,
go for Sony. Otherwise, other smart watches such as the US$150 Pebble will give
you more bang for buck.
Specifications: ·
Display: Transflective
LCD 1.6", 220x176 pixels ·
Screen color:
262K (16 bits) ·
Operating
system: Android release 4.0 and later ·
Material:
Aluminum body and silicon wristband ·
Power:
Li-Polymer ·
Dimensions: 41.6
x 41.1 x 9 mm ·
Weight: 48.4g ·
Price: $288
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