Sony unveils SmartBand 2

The Sony SmartBand 2 looks nearly identical to its predecessor, but the module under the wristband now contains a biometric sensor to read a wearer’s heart rate. For the first time, Sony is opening its fitness tracker for iPhone users.

Sony’s Lifelog app collects and manages the data gathered by the band, and provides “inspiring motivational prompts based on your activity”.

Sure enough just like what the FCC filing revealed, the SmartBand 2 will come with a built-in heart rate sensor, so if tracking your heart rate is important to you, then the SmartBand 2 is an option you can consider. Sony, however, presents it as a “lifelogger” – intending that the device is paired with the company’s Lifelog app to offer “insights about [users’] fitness, well-being, and stress levels”.

Following on from the success of the original SmartBand wearable, the SmartBand 2 packs in even more technology to keep you up to date at all times.

The SmartBand 2 also comes with a set of RGB LEDs that blink differently when you get a call, message, email or a tweet. You can use the SmartBand to control your media on your mobile, and it’ll also prod you if you wander away from your smartphone by accident.

The Sony’s second generation wearable can automatically detect when you are sleeping and will measure your sleep.

In addition to being compatible with Sony Xperia smartphones, the band can also be connected to Android smartphones running on 4.4 KitKat and above and Apple devices running on iOS 8.2 and above. Sony accidentally unveiled the SmartBand 2 back in June via the Google Play store.

Its battery life is claimed to last up to two days and the device can be fully charged in around one hour. The wearable will be available in 60 countries globally (black and white colors initially, pink and indigo later on) in September 2015 for a price of $132 (119 euro).