Author Archive: Gareth

Alcatel joins the wearable fun

Alcatel continue to pick up traction with a new affordable smartwatch, cunningly titled “The WATCH.” Featuring a 1.22”, 262K round screen and a 210mAh battery Alcatel boasts the Watch can work for 2-5 days on a 1 hour charge. Also packing a IP67 rating for water resistance and compatibility with Android 4.3 or above and iOS 7, this looks like a neat little wearable worth looking at.

It looks like a watch and feels like a watch but it’s much smarter than that. ALCATEL ONETOUCH introduces the WATCH, a smartwatch that puts a premium on elegant design at a very accessible price. In launching the WATCH, ALCATEL ONETOUCH is not content just to make the latest connected technology available to the greatest number of consumers. Offering the WATCH at a fraction of the cost of competitors, the smartphone brand has implemented its design expertise to offer a series of fine finishes that meet the demands of those looking for the same look and feel as a traditional watch.

                                                                                          

“It’s called a wearable, so we wanted to make something that would be a pleasure to wear,” said ALCATEL ONETOUCH’s Chief Marketing Officer Dan Dery. “The watch face and the band are slim, like a regular watch, but it has the multi-functionality of a smartwatch.”

Available in several styles — sporty dark red/volcano black, feminine all-white, classic chrome/dark gray and elegant metal-white — the ALCATEL ONETOUCH WATCH employs materials such as brushed chrome, micro-textured resin bands and white stainless steel. This choice of finishes assures that it will appeal to both men and women, demonstrating ALCATEL ONETOUCH’s dedication to bringing to the market products that fulfill everyone’s needs.

While offering choice and style, the WATCH also offers multiple fitness functions and connects to Android and iOS smartphones via Bluetooth.

Monitors User Activity

The WATCH is packed with sensors: the heart-rate monitor is embedded discretely on the underside of the watch face; there’s also an accelerometer, gyroscope, altimeter and e-compass.

The WATCH also allows users to track their sleep cycle, distance covered, steps taken and calories burned. To monitor their fitness goals, users can access the activity overview that the WATCH offers. You can track your first yoga as a practice session with this.

Multimedia Remote Control and Phone Notifications

When the smartwatch is connected to a smartphone, it sends users call notifications; social media updates and vibrates if users stray too far from their phones.

Touching the WATCH’s screen activates a multimedia remote control. Users can control music, take pictures from their phone from a distance or make their phone ring in order to locate it.

Simplicity of Use Is Built In

The WATCH is compatible with a number of ALCATEL ONETOUCH smartphones in the HERO, IDOL and POP series, as well as with any phone running on Android 4.3 or above and on iOS 7 or above. It is dust and water-resistant, with a long battery life.

                              

Speaking of the battery, the WATCH has a clever USB charger integrated into its band for simplicity of use. With beauty and functionality integrated into one device, ALCATEL ONETOUCH offers a smartwatch at a smart price, fulfilling its mission of making the latest technology available to all.

Sony goes mad for SmartWear

With CES news in full wing Sony have announced a new look, sleek stainless steel SmartWatch 3 to roll out in February 2015. In addition we are to see the introduction of a prototype concept, an all-in-one headset-style device with sensors optimised for running called the Smart B-Trainer. 

 

At CES 2015 Sony introduced new products, partners and experiences to its evolving SmartWear range – a sleek stainless steel edition of SmartWatch 3, new Lifelog collaborations, and concept wearable devices, including a multi-sensor, waterproof headset prototype, from Sony Corporation, designed for optimising performance and providing real time insight on the running track.

“Our approach to smart, wearable technology is based on the fundamentals of building depth and variety in user experiences, and providing choice with beautiful, functional products,” said Kaz Tajima, Senior Vice President, Head of UX Creative Design and Planning at Sony Mobile Communications. “The expansion of Lifelog – both in terms of its open API and our vision for new wearable concepts – will allow creative partners to integrate their apps and services to our platform – giving our users access to the richest, most varied wearable ecosystem.”

 

Designing for modular technology, with SmartBand SWR10

 

At CES last year, Sony first showcased SmartBand SWR10 – a 24/7 wearable device; fully waterproof¹ (rated IP58) despite its exposed microUSB port. A light, unobtrusive wearable that first featured Sony’s modular approach – the independent “core concept” – it allowed the technology to be worn in different colours and styles, to suit individual taste and personality.

Over the past year, Sony Mobile has worked with creatives and brands from across the lifestyle, fashion, and design spectrum to explore custom apparel, establishing collections for Sony SmartWear from the likes of Jack Vartanian, ALTEWAISOME, and Ted Baker – and most recently, the popular women’s lifestyle brand, ROXY.

An elegant creative approach – SmartWatch 3, now in stainless steel

After launching in partnership this past Autumn with Google, SmartWatch 3 is Sony’s latest generation “SmartWatch”.

Sony unveiled the new stainless steel edition of SmartWatch 3, rolling out globally from next month.

SmartWatch 3 in beautiful stainless steel matches contemporary with timeless aestheticism for a premium look and feel. It features a 1.6” 320×320 TFT LCD Transflective display for visibility in bright sunlight, and is of course water protected², rated IP68 – it charges via a standard microUSB port.

To further broaden the range of wearing styles available, Sony also unveiled a new SmartWatch 3 holder, allowing users and partners alike to customise SmartWatch 3 with any standard 24mm watch strap; available from the early part of 2015.

Even without your Android smartphone, SmartWatch 3 is a fun and useful accessory with impressive standalone functionality – featuring native music playback, intelligent sensor technology and a unique inbuilt GPS sensor.

Golfshot and iFit are two developers already creating Android Wear experiences with SmartWatch 3’s standalone capability, for both performance on the course and track respectively – from January, every SmartWatch 3 user will have exclusive access to the premium Golfshot and iFit apps out of the box³.

Sony also announced a new collaboration with Virgin Atlantic – to explore SmartWear initiatives together, to develop unique solutions using Sony’s SmartWear products to support operational activities and enhance the customer service experience for Virgin Atlantic customers. More news will follow over the coming months.

Lifelog – inspiration through insight, for any Android user

 

Downloadable from the Google Play Store, Lifelog is the popular Android app built to help you set personal goals, monitor progress, get to know yourself better and make smarter choices about your health, entertainment, and more.

A new web interface, lifelog.sonymobile.com, is launching during CES 2015. It uses open API functionality and latest HTML5 technologies, for a more visual experience. The site will work with any screen size, from your smartphone to your tablet to your TV – all you’ll have to do is log in using your Sony Entertainment Network⁴ account.

The new feature reflects Sony’s strategy to regularly bring new functionality and features to Lifelog, to keep the experiences as current as they possibly can be.

Creating new experiences, with open principles

Sony is teaming up with a variety of lifestyle and health apps, so you can get the most out of the services you already love and discover new ones, to complement your SmartWear and Lifelog experience. Starting soon, Lifelog will enable you to:

• Access IFTTT recipes for intuitive connections between Lifelog and your favourite apps

• Develop healthy habits with Habit Monster, so you can learn more about yourself within Lifelog

• Use Withingsconnected health devices to integrate your weight and BMI into Lifelog to see how you sleep, eat and move

 

“Lifelog is inspiration through insight, and our first partners are helping us bring this to life in new ways” said Yasuharu Nomura, Director of Experience Planning at Sony Mobile Communications. “We specifically designed the Lifelog platform on open principles, with capability that will help developers to build new experiences and access the Sony ecosystem like never before – it’s going to be an exciting year ahead.”

 

Exploring new wearable concepts and contextual sensor technology

 

Off the back of launching the software development kit, Sony Corporation is also sharing new applications for current prototype, SmartEyeglass Developer Edition, along with a new conceptual style, SmartEyeglass Attach! – a single lens display module for attaching to regular glasses, allowing developers to create applications for sport and performance.

Sony Corporation’s Smart B-Trainer prototype was also introduced – a waterproof all-in-one headset style device with multi-sensor capability specifically designed for runners. The current prototype features inbuilt memory – and will provide voice coaching, as well as music playback, intelligently suggesting the most suitable soundtrack to accompany a runner during a workout.

Follow @SonyMobileNews and #SonyCESfor all the latest news, views and information.