Sony is updating its line of wearable fitness trackers with a new model that features a heart rate sensor so you can track your pulse in addition to your steps.
The Sony SmartBand 2 pairs with your smartphone and saves data to the Sony Lifelog app. The wristband also features 3 LED lights and a vibration motor, allowing the wristband to provide notifications about incoming phone calls, text messages, email, or other communications.
You can also tap the SmartBand 2 to play, pause, or skip tracks when listening to music on your phone.
The SmartBand 2Â features Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, an accelerometer, and supports phones running Android 4.4 or later or iOS 8.2 and up. Sony says it should run for up to 2 days on a charge, and it’s waterproof up to 3 meters, even though there’s no cap covering the micro USB charging port.
It’s worth pointing out that the original Sony SmartBand was able to get up to 4 days of battery life. But that model lacked a heart rate monitor… and the sensor in the SmartBand 2 offers continuous pulse tracking so you can see how your heart rate changes when you’re working out or resting.
If you enable “Stamina Mode,” the new model can actually get up to 5 days of battery life, but it won’t provide as much detail about your daily activities.
Sony says the SmartBand 2 will be available in 60 countries in September for about 119 Euros ($133). Or you can just buy last year’s model today for less than $50.
It seems pretty capable and advanced with so many functions. However, even though you wear it on your wrist like a watch, it cannot even give you the time. That’s a deal breaker for me.
wrist based heart rate measurement is not very accurate. accuracy goes out the window when exercising.
https://www.wareable.com/fitness-trackers/heart-rate-monitor-accurate-comparison-wrist