It’s been years since I’ve worn a wristwatch. If I need to tell the time and a clock isn’t handy, I just pull my phone out of my pocket and glance at the screen. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who has swapped a phone for a watch… but Sony is hoping that by adding some phone-like capabilities to its new $150 SmartWatch, it can tempt you back.
In fact, the SmartWatch is as much a phone accessory as it is a timepiece. You can use it to read your email, social network updates, and even text messages — but you’ll need to pair the Sony SmartWatch with an Android phone via Bluetooth to do that.
You can think of the SmartWatch as a sort of remote control for an Android phone that can be worn on your wrist. If you have a Sony smartphone the pairing software comes preloaded. Anyone else can download the Android app from the Google Play Store.
The SmartWatch lets you control music playback without removing your phone from your pocket, view Google Maps, or view your contacts and initiate a phone call (assuming you also have a Bluetooth headset).
There are about 60 different apps that can run on the SmartWatch, including SMS, email, calendar, music, and social apps.
Sony’s SmartWatch features a 1.3 inch, 128 x 128 pixel OLED display, offers 3-4 days of battery life and 14 days of standby time, and works with phones running Android 2.1 or later.
The display measures 1.42″ x 1.42″ x 0.5″ (including the clip) and weighs about half an ounce. It comes standard with a black rubber strap, but white, pink, blue, grey, and green options are also available for $20 extra.
I have one.  Sadly it cannot do what a 30 dollar Bluetooth can do.  That is, answer the phone via the watch.  It only has that capability on “certain” phones.  I have the Razr Maxx.  It is a fairly new and good android phone so you would think the watch could make it answer.Â
This is totally unnecessary. Why would you need another device that functions similar to a smartphone when you already have one. It’s just a waste of money.
If it ran Android, that’d be cool.
Reminds me…the current gen iPod Nano should really have a few more features, like the weather forecast, or a calendar.
Well, this should satisfy everyone saying that the Samsung Galaxy Note was too big…