The Sony campaign has been releasing gadgets for a long time, but it would be wrong to call the smartwatches of this developer a popular product in comparison with the Samsung Gear or the most popular Apple Watch. The Sony development team produces devices that can interest the user with interesting solutions. For example, smart bracelets SmartBand and SmartBand Talk are very different in functionality from competitors’ products. In addition to bracelets, Sony also offers smartwatches of the second generation – sony smartwatch 2.
Design
Gadgets produced by Sony are known for their special design. The manufacturer has developed a unique, memorable design. And Sony smart watch 2 was no exception to the rule. The appearance of the watch repeats the main features of the Xperia Z, Z1 and Z Ultra smartphones. Clear, precise edges, an elegant metal body, and most importantly, a central button copied from the power button of the Xperia Z line of smartphones.
Protective glass occupies the entire upper plane. But the glass does not protrude above the body, like Samsung gadgets. At the bottom of the screen there are three touch buttons, like on most Android-based smartphones: Back, Home and Menu. The size of the buttons is an important disadvantage of the device. The buttons are small, so you can’t hit them every time.
The gadget is presented in black color. The device has a stylish and strict design. The Sony smartwatch 2 is suitable for both the stronger and the weaker sex. Of course, the Sony smartwatch 2 sw2 is larger than the usual ladies' watches, but the size is not too noticeable. Also offered is a design option for the Sony smartwatch 2 fifa, made in a football style.
One of the main design details was the strap. It is easily removable; there are 2 options available in the official Sony Store: a silicone strap in black or a metal one. Silicone straps are also available in turquoise, yellow, pink, and purple colors. In addition, leather straps are available for purchase, made from light or dark leather.
The gadget is charged using an ordinary Micro-USB. And this is a step forward when compared to the previous generation of watches from the Sony corporation.
What can smartwatch 2 do?
In our review of the Sony smartwatch 2, we must not forget about the software in which the gadget is not limited. It is important that the second-generation device is designed to be compatible with first-generation applications. But there is one important detail - the Sony smartwatch 2 offers a selection of applications from small developers, although most programs for sports, such as Nike, Endomondo, miCoach, are not supported by Sony watches.
When purchasing a smart watch, a minimum of applications are installed - settings and a flashlight, a clock and an activity monitoring program, a calculator and remote multimedia control. The user can easily install the rest of the necessary applications himself.
From the list of built-in programs, you can easily understand that the Sony Smart Watch 2 is not suitable for those who are going to use the gadget for sports activities. First of all, this is a stylish accessory that counts the steps you take, wakes you up at the right time, entertains you, and transmits important notifications from your smartphone. To perform these functions, there is support for applications that are installed on a mobile phone or smartphone (Gmail, SMS, call and contact log, calendar), but they are also installed depending on the user’s needs. That is, if the consumer does not want the smart watch to respond to a call received on a smartphone, then this will not happen. There is no desire for SMS to be sent to the watch (and shown to others) - this will also not happen, because such functionality can simply not be enabled.
Sony's pre-installed SmartConnect software allows you to reposition apps on your displays for greater comfort.
Sony SmartWatch 2 Review
This post prompted me to write the little-known nature of this wonderful watch from Sony on Habré. I collected it from the records of my standalone blog, with the processing and updating of information as of July 2014.
I received the watch for my birthday (October 2013) as a gift. The first impression you get about the item is from the box - it is made of very high quality and beautifully, the watch is already there with a strap fastened, in the manner of an expensive watch. In general, the box and the watch itself immediately gave the impression of an expensive thing - at least $1000, which is very nice.
There is a version on sale with a rubber strap and a metal bracelet, and the Sotmarket store (the watch was bought there) does not allow you to choose what to bring. I got the version with a strap, but it’s better to try to get one with a metal bracelet. Low quality rubber, similar to silicone, wears off. In the first watches, rubber straps were of much better quality. And the rubber strap doesn't look good.
My strap broke after 3 months:
Very, very bad strap! I also had something like a mild allergy to it. So I advise you to take it with a metal bracelet right away.
Finding a replacement was not so easy: stores usually sell much narrower straps, but one had only a couple of wide ones to choose from. The price was low, so I decided to buy it for a while, but as you know, there is nothing more permanent than temporary - I liked the strap, it got used to it and I don’t want to change it anymore.
Leather, was bought for 400 rubles:
By the way, it looks very similar to the “original” Sony one, which they sell for 1000 rubles!
Design
The watch has become larger but thinner.
Finally, the saga with useless adapters and clasps has ended - now the strap is attached directly to the watch, without any adapters, which is what made it possible to make it thinner. Honestly, after LiveView (this is the very first version, still under the SonyEricsson brand), I had been waiting for this change in the design for a long time; I didn’t understand why someone might need to attach them to a belt through a clip. The device is made of metal, the edges are somewhat reminiscent of the iPhone 5. Apparently the metal is aluminum, painted black. So you have to be careful - there will be scratches, although the paint is noticeably stronger than on the iPhone 5, you can’t remove it with your fingernail. I touched the metal part of the door lock and got a small scratch. Update 2014: Now the watch is made of unpainted aluminum (like the iPhone 5S Gray), so its scratch resistance is much higher. Accordingly, now they are not black, but rather gray. Obviously, scratches are less noticeable on a gray background.
Perception
The watch is most likely suitable only for men, because it is still quite large and does not look good on a woman’s hand. The first version looks better on a woman's hand, but for 2014 they are already so good.
Screen
Here is a noticeable step forward.
And now point by point: We installed a normal TFT screen (the first screen was OLED, similar to the first color STN displays), that is, it became normally visible in the sun, the resolution increased (220 x 176 versus 128 x 128), contrast and color rendition (by It feels like it produces honest 16 bits). The screen is no longer a weak point, it is pleasant to look at, everything can be seen on it in any lighting conditions. And most importantly, the time is now displayed constantly! Now add to this the fact that the screen is an honest TFT with a good reflective layer and you will be able to see the time at any moment (except in absolute darkness). This is a very big step forward and a huge increase in the main functionality - time display. For the screen, we confidently give SW2 6 points out of 5.
Upd 2014: The main screen is now fully customizable with built-in and third-party widgets. You can choose any style of time display, watch face and additional information from plugins (of course, if the developer has implemented it). The control interface looks like this:
Specifications
The clock is based on the STM32 F4 microcontroller, it is based on the ARM Cortex-M4F core, the maximum frequency is 180 Megahertz (at what frequency it actually works is unknown).
The first SmartWatch (MN2) used STM32 F2, based on the ARM Cortex-M3 core, maximum frequency 120 Megahertz. What’s funny is that for Bluetooth communications, chips from Ericsson, a former partner of Sony and also the inventor of Bluetooth, are used. The API can handle up to 3 simultaneous touches.
Compared to MN2, new sensors have been added: a magnetometer and a luxometer (light sensor), as well as two buttons that are fully accessible in the API: back and menu. Sensors can only be used by one active application and only if the watch is not sleeping, so there will be no pedometers (maybe they will be implemented in the future).
Update 2014: the magnetometer was removed in software, even old plugins no longer “see” it. Official reason: poor quality. And he really did a terrible job. The lux meter was used only recently in the new firmware, using it to automatically adjust the brightness.
The firmware is updated automatically via Bluetooth.
I’ll dispel the myth: all Sony watches run on their own OS, not Android, although SW2 is very similar to it in terms of interface.
There is tap activation and you can adjust the sensitivity. But you still can’t unlock it without pressing the main button.
User Interface
One of the main and long-awaited innovations: in the latest firmware versions, the watch can work independently, without connecting to a phone.
The time and date can be set manually, there are also built-in applications: an advanced alarm clock, stopwatch, timer, calculator, an analogue of a “snake” and a flashlight (simply turns on the screen at maximum brightness). The only thing missing is a calendar. From the watch settings you can hide plugin icons and control the notification style separately for each plugin.
If there is no connection with the phone, in applications that use API v.2, you can read saved notifications/messages. Naturally, applications that require interactivity (the so-called Control API), even if they use API v.2, do not work without communication with the phone (their icons are gray).
Another addition: all the icons are stored in the watch, there is no such thing as in MN2, when when activated, the watch still loaded the icons for a couple of moments, here everything is done at once, without delays.
All this is convenient to use, the interface does not slow down at all (praise Sony), although kinetic scrolling stores little energy when pushed strongly (as on iOS compared to Android). It is also possible to protect the watch by entering a PIN if there is no movement for 5 minutes, and globally turn off vibration.
You can turn on vibration when you touch control buttons.
Icons can be sorted alphabetically or by frequency of use. The most convenient way is obviously to sort by frequency of use. You can change background images, but you can only choose from the preset ones.
The notification style can be changed:
Let's summarize the UI - SW2 received a huge innovation; now, even if there is no connection, the clock remains operational. The responsiveness of the interface has been improved to perfection: now there are no brakes or delays anywhere. So once again we boldly give it 6 out of 5. I really admire Sony, in 2013 such a careful approach can only be seen in rare products from Apple.
Connection
The watch works via Bluetooth 3.0 and is equipped with an NFC chip (which is only needed for the first pairing).
During the first pairing, problems arose: the SmartWatch 2 application on the phone itself crashed. I have a Motorola RAZR MAXX HD, and the firmware is installed without the Russian language; for the Russian language to work, I used a locale changer program. As it turned out later, the SmartWatch 2 application is not compatible with such programs, except for one - Locale & Language. After installing it and removing all the others, everything worked immediately. If you are afraid that Bluetooth 3.0 will drain your phone's battery, then don't worry: there is simply no difference (my consumption has not changed). Judge for yourself: the watch has a battery capacity of approximately 50-100 mAh, which is enough for 4 days of operation. The phone has a battery capacity of at least 2000 mAh, so if we assume that the power consumption is equal, then the battery of the communication phone will be discharged in at least 80 days. I think that Sony are not fools and since they didn’t install BT v.4, it means there was no need.
They keep contact just fine, they can get through the walls. No surprises, everything is fine here, no spontaneous dumps. 5 out of 5 here.
Working hours
Honest 4 days, as stated.
MN2 worked honestly for 1-2 days, with the stated 4x, but there is no deception here. Moreover, the operating time is quite stable and for me personally it almost did not depend on how often notifications arrive. We also fixed the charge indicator, now it shows not the weather, but the charge with an accuracy of a percentage. Speaking of charging - again microUSB, covered with a cap, which is also very good - a proprietary cable is no longer needed. After receiving the low battery notification (15 and 10%), you have at least half a day, so don't worry too much.
For some reason, some expect a miracle and a working time of up to a month. Well, there won't be a miracle until they invent a screen with a built-in solar battery or something like that. Perhaps the same principle will work as with self-winding mechanical watches - a handwheel that generates energy from hand movements. Although, for me personally, charging the watch once every 4 days is the same as charging it once a month. The main thing is that they are guaranteed to live more than a day, and the rest is not particularly important.
Upd 2014: Autonomy, after the update, increased significantly, with occasional use it was a WEEK (7 days), with active use I got an average of 4 days. I think this is a great success, now the watch rarely has to be charged.
conclusions
Is it worth buying? - Definitely yes. The device has no significant shortcomings.
You must clearly understand why you need this accessory. This accessory is a phone assistant, a kind of additional wireless screen. It allows you not to miss a single event, while having the ability to always keep your phone in silent mode.
If you make and receive calls a lot using a headset, this watch is indispensable: the number, name and photo of the caller, the ability to reset the call. With SW2 you can even dial a number in several ways (direct input, recent, search by first letter and favorite contacts). Obviously, there are no useless functions such as hands-free communication through the watch, as in the Galaxy Gear - this is not a toy, but a useful tool.
Maybe, of course, I'm not very careful with them, but I still got noticeable scratches on the glass. There’s nothing to say about the bezel - it’s the same as on the black iPhone 5; it received its first injuries at the very beginning of its use.
I really hope that in the next version Sony will finally understand that they need to release a female and male version, plus, probably, some titanium version with sapphire glass and other exclusive materials that do not wear out over the years. The question of price will no longer be an issue, I would buy one. In general, we need to look at the regular watch market and copy its ideas.
I really like the watch, I don’t have that unpleasant feeling that “it’s not bad, but I would like it to be better, we’re waiting for the next version.” They perform their function, they work as stably as reinforced concrete, and the battery life is more than sufficient.
My expectation level is 146%.
In parting - a photo next to my great-grandfather - SonyEricsson LiveView:
Additional Applications
For Sony smartwatch 2, reviewing applications on Google Play can take a very long time, and understanding each application is quite pointless. We will note only the main categories of the offered software.
- Various decorations. There are so many skins for the SmartWatch 2 interface that it is hardly possible to scroll through the entire list. The designs are completely different, from colorful pictures to black and white minimalism, so even the most picky connoisseur of color harmony will find something of their own among the skins. In addition, the manufacturer itself offers several pre-installed versions of the interface.
- The second direction in the development of applications for Sony SmartWatch 2 was various tools: alarms, various schedulers, ordinary and engineering calculators, programs for reading RSS feeds, flashlights, applications for remote camera control. The latter is a rather useless application, but most smartwatch developers provide the device with similar functionality. You can use it not limited to the Xperia line, but with any device synchronized with the watch.
- Maps and trackers that allow you to establish your location, create and save routes. The watch receives all the necessary information from the connected smartphone. Using the Sony smartwatch 2 is much easier than looking at your smartphone display every time you need to.
- Games. Yes, there really are games that are quite convenient to play on the small watch screen. Snake and various Tamagotchis are a great way to pass the time in transport or at a boring meeting, but the response of the watch’s touch screen still leaves much to be desired.
- Programs for remote control of multimedia. Useful applications, but they are unlikely to be able to properly compete with the pre-installed program from the manufacturer.
- Social networking applications. Extremely necessary programs for those who spend almost all their time on Facebook or Instagram, and this is typical software for smartwatches on any platform; Sony does not offer anything radically new in this area.
conclusions
Looking at the Sony smartwatch 2, it’s quite difficult to say unequivocally whether you need to purchase this device or not, it’s difficult to give specific recommendations. The second generation of watches is significantly superior to the first. The case is made of light metal, the screen and controls are larger, there are significantly fewer software and hardware problems, the smart watch does not break the connection on its own. Instant connection (not without the help of NFS), after downloading the application from the manufacturer, interaction with mini-programs for Sony Smart Watch 2 does not pose any problems - you just need to find what you need, install it on the gadget and use the result.
Sony Smart Watch 2 also performs the function of a watch and allows you to control switching music on your smartphone; a significant advantage will be the absence of the need to regularly look for a smartphone in your pockets. And if the buyer already owns a smartphone from the Sony Xperia Z line, then purchasing a Sony Smart Watch 2 becomes a much higher priority. The display of the smartwatch is quite easy to read messages, use applications for social networks, simply receive incoming calls, and provides an outgoing call function. Also, an important advantage will be the not very high price for a device of this level, because the Sony smartwatch 2 sw2 is head and shoulders above the smartwatch without the number 2 in terms of price-quality ratio.
At the time of writing, the CES exhibition, the world's largest electronics exhibition, had just ended. It became clear that wearable electronics in 2014 will become what netbooks were in 2009, and tablets in 2011. Both in the worst and in the best sense. And so, being at the beginning of this path, we decided to look: what is there now? And my gaze fell on the second incarnation of Sony smartwatches.
The design of SmartWatch 2 (SW2) clearly has something in common with the “shovels” of the Sony Xperia Z series. In particular, with the giant 6.44-inch Xperia Z Ultra, presented in the summer of 2013 simultaneously with SW2. These include strict rectangular shapes, a radical black color, smooth glass combined with a metal frame, and, finally, a well-recognized large round power button. Like all Xperia Z, the SW2 has an increased level of protection from dust and humidity - you can't swim with them, but they can withstand a shower.
The “face” of the device is a 1.6-inch LCD touch display with a resolution of 220 × 176 pixels. But the worst thing is that, compared to the gorgeous screens of the flagship Xperia Z series, it is monstrously grainy. The pixel density of 176 ppi is already last century. But the SW2 display is well suited for working in reflected light, so the virtual clock does not look like a painted picture at all.
The SW2 kit includes only a short cable for charging from a USB port - Sony rightly reasoned that there is no need to create an entity, because if desired, the owner of the watch can use a long charge from a smartphone. The device can be purchased complete with either a metal bracelet or a black silicone strap. Silicone and leather straps in other colors are sold separately. Also, any straps with a width of 24 mm are suitable for the watch.
Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Gear, the SW2 turned out to be almost twice as heavy - 123 g versus 74. This is despite the fact that Samsung has a built-in camera, a headphone jack and a processor sufficient for a budget smartphone. But for exactly the same reasons, the Sony model works for two to three days, and the Samsung watch lasts for a day.
By default, the watch comes with five apps: alarm, stopwatch, timer, notifications, and flashlight, which includes a white screen. All other applications, or more precisely, smartphone application agents, must be installed through the Smart Connect phone application.
Sony itself offers for the SW2 an agent for managing phone calls (for headset users), a missed call notifier, Gmail and Google calendar clients, clients for social networks Facebook and Twitter, a universal email client (Xperia only), remote controls for the music player and camera smartphone, SMS/MMS agent and slide show remote control. Any notification may be accompanied by vibration feedback.
There are some useful third-party apps - for example, the watch can show information from the Runtastic Pro running tracker or the Walkmate pedometer. In this way, Sony implements perhaps the only understandable function of wearable technology today, but it will not work without a smartphone.
Now about the restrictions for non-Sony smartphones. First of all, in this case, you will only be able to receive notifications about mail on Gmail - the universal mail application works exclusively with Xperia smartphones, and this is perhaps the most significant disadvantage.
The second drawback is that the settings made automatically with Sony devices have to be done manually with phones from other manufacturers - in particular, pairing via NFC with the Samsung Galaxy S4 did not automatically download the Smart Connect application, so I had to manually find it in Play Market. The same thing happened with the Highscreen Explosion phone when connected via Bluetooth. Of course, this operation will have to be carried out only once, but in order to achieve a result, you need to adhere to a certain sequence of actions, and this is quite confusing.
The process of connecting Smartwatch to a smartphone
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Even if a bunch of companies are trying to make some product, this does not mean that it will become a must-have - we already understood this from netbooks. Therefore, even after studying all the news about new products from CES, it is difficult to understand what a smartwatch should be able to do in order to become a mass product. So far, the answer is this: this is a way to receive information without taking your smartphone out of your pocket. Agree, not a very significant problem. If your phone is so big that you can’t operate it without a remote control, maybe you should choose smaller models?
What do we end up with? The SW2 is half the price of the Galaxy Gear, but doesn't do half of what Samsung's watches can do. The Galaxy Gear doesn't exactly solve any pressing problem either, but it does have a wow factor. The SW2 is also inferior to sports bracelets, although in Russia it is cheaper: Sony watches have fewer features for athletes, are heavier and larger, and have shorter battery life. And not every runner wants to keep a smartphone in his shorts pocket.
Perhaps, to date, only manufacturers of sports bracelets have managed to find a clear scenario for wearable technology. Sony, by the way, also presented the SmartWear bracelet at CES. But when it comes to smartwatches, no one has yet been able to find an unambiguous formula for success - and Sony didn’t do it very convincingly either.
Characteristics
Supported phones: any brand, running Android version 4.0 and higher Interfaces: microUSB, Bluetooth 3.0, NFC Display: 1.6-inch LCD, 220 × 176 dpi Protection standard: IP57 (dust and waterproof) Dimensions: 42 × 9 × 41 mm Weight (with silicone strap): 122.5 g Contents: strap, USB - microUSB cable, instructions Price: about 6,000 rubles
