Sony has expanded its wearable offerings with the all-new Smartwatch 3 based on the same platform as Samsung Gear, LG G Watch and Moto 360. This is the company's first Android Wear-powered smartwatch, with a sportier look than the classic design adopted by other brands.
In terms of design, the smartwatch comes with bright colored bands attached to a 1.6-inch display. It is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB storage, 420 mAh battery and IP68 certification for water and dust resistance. Since Sony handed the software front to Google, it wanted to add a personal touch with a Walkman app for music playback via Bluetooth headset and Lifelog app to track wearer's physical activity. These two functions can be carried out independently without a smartphone, thanks to a built-in Bluetooth and a GPS tracker.
"Life is a journey, and journeys are made up of stories and experiences that define you - this is the underlying principle for Lifelog, the Android app at the heart of our SmartWear Experience," Kunimasa Suzuki, CEO and President of Sony Mobile Communications, said in a press statement, Wednesday. "We're going beyond mere fitness tracking and number crunching, to help you log and preserve those emotional moments that matter."
According to The Verge, the smartwatch features interchangeable silicon straps with a steel-backed case.
The Smartwatch 3 is a premium priced watch that retails for $230, with black, white, yellow and pink color straps, which can be bought separately for $33. With this price range, the smartwatch competes against the likes of Moto 360, LG G Watch and Samsung Gear smartwatches. Apple is expected to launch its coveted iWatch next Tuesday, which may prevent the iFans from going after the pricey wearable.
