With the wearables revolution firmly underway, Sony has unveiled its third-generation smartwatch, the aptly named Sony SmartWatch 3.
The company’s first device to come running Google’s new wearable OS, the SmartWatch 3 lands as a direct rival to the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live.
“This will be our first smartwatch which will run on Android Wear,” Calum MacDougall, Sony’s Director of Xperia Marketing said in unveiling the device. “We are moving into the Android Wear ecosystem.”
Looking at the benefits of the new Google OS, he added: “
“Here we bring the Sony experiences and Sony applications that bring new types of experiences.”
Sony SmartWatch 3 Features
One of these Sony themed Android Wear experiences, is the inclusion of a dedicated Walkman application. Unlike the Gear Live and G Watch, the Sony SmartWatch 3 features its own internal storage.
With a 4GB capacity, the timepiece is able to store thousands of music tracks, connecting to compatible headphones using Bluetooth.
Further Android Wear enhancing features include the ability to connect to compatible cameras to act as a remote shutter, and Sony’s ‘TV Side View’ service.
“For the SmartWatch 3 we will have a remote control application so you can change channels and remotely control your TV using the smartwatch,” MacDougall told us.
“You can also use the watch to remotely take pictures from a Sony smartphone or QX10 lens camera.”
Lining up with a 1.6-inch transflective display, the SmartWatch 3 screen features a Gear Live-echoing 320 x 320 pixel resolution.
Boasting a 420mAh rechargeable battery, Sony has claimed the new SmartWatch features two days’ staying power on a single charge. NFC, Bluetooth and GPS are also incorporated.
Although, unlike the Sony SmartBand Talk, it is unable to take calls, the SmartWatch 3 is mic enabled so as to allow for Android’s Google Now voice assistant features.
Set to be available with black, white, pink and green attachments from launch, the SmartWatch 3’s screen can be popped out of the Polyurethane strap and switched to a new strap with consummate ease.
Sony SmartWatch 3 Release Date and Price
The Sony SmartWatch 3 release date is not too far away. The Japanese manufacturer has confirmed the wearable will share the same ‘early October’ launch window as the Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone.
UK pricing for the LG G Watch rival has yet to be confirmed, although Sony has revealed the wearable will set wannabe owners back €229 (£183) on the continent.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
