Sony Fitness Bracelet

Every year, new technologies are increasingly being introduced into our lives in order to simplify and facilitate it. No trip or walk is complete without a smartphone, and a working day without a tablet or computer. Humanity is trying to learn the secret of life without the hassle, seeking to fully automate not only production, but also life. Various accessories for sports, including well-known fitness bracelets, will help you keep fit.

New from the Japanese company Sony - SmartBand fitness bracelet - in general, did not bring anything innovative to the world of technology. Sports lovers have long been familiar with these things that control the heartbeat. However, for Sony this is the first experience in the production of sports accessories.

At first glance, the novelty of Japanese developers seems rather primitive - the bracelet does not even have a display. But this allowed the company not to suffer with the processor (Sony SmartBand SWR10 is equipped with the smallest - Cortex-M0).

Like any other tracker, the Sony fitness bracelet calculates the distance you traveled, summing up the steps, and also determines the approximate amount of calories expended. In combination with the programs that will be discussed below, this device receives more information about the activity of its owner than other models of such accessories for sports. In addition, the built-in heart rate sensor operates autonomously.

In the "brain" of the bracelet, SmartCore, there are sensors, chip and memory, and on the side of the gadget is a multifunction key and LEDs. An interchangeable bracelet strap is inserted into it, made of pleasant hypoallergenic material. Its inner side is smooth - for comfortable wearing, and the front - relief. Included are two straps: small and large. They also come with one neatly machined aluminum cufflink and a circular milling clasp on which the company logo is engraved.

Models in white and black are now available, but soon the developers promise to release pink bracelets, as well as indigo-colored gadgets.

Without further ado: the novelty from Sony looks stylish and concise, appropriate to the smart line.

Like all Sony mobile devices, the device is protected from dust and water by the category IP58 (Ingress Protection Rating - penetration protection). Manufacturers claim that with a bracelet you can take a shower, swim in the pool.

However, there is a snag: when immersed in water, a liquid enters the cavity of the gadget, which is then quite difficult to remove. So after bathing, the water will slowly flow out of the case, and the hand will be constantly wet.

Comparing SmartBand with models from other companies, it is impossible not to notice that Sony does not place much emphasis on the sports orientation of its device. Rather, on the contrary, the company is a stylish gadget with a huge range of functions in addition to counting steps and calories. SmartBand is first and foremost a useful accessory with many features.

The advanced model, Smartband 2, boasts an integrated pulse control sensor, which can measure stress levels and body stress during exercise or track how heart rate is restored after exercise. Double clicking on “start” sets up a continuous HRM (human resources management) mode, so that the battery can work more than 10 hours.

• ARM Cortex-M0 processor, single core;
• 16 Kbytes of RAM and 256 Kbytes of flash memory;
• Bluetooth 4.0 LE; NFC (Near field communication - wireless);
• gyroscope, accelerometer (sensor for determining the position in space, pedometer);
• connector for micro-USB charging cable;
• battery 0.133 Wh `h.

The case of the bracelet contains a vibration motor for notifications and an alarm clock, a small battery with a capacity of 0.133 Wh `h, a motion sensor, 16 Kbytes of RAM and 256 Kbytes of flash memory. Despite the minimum capacity, the battery lasts up to five days, which means it will only have to be charged once a week.

WITH Using NFC, the bracelet easily connects to the phone: you only need to turn on the miniature gadget and bring it to the back of the smartphone. After a few seconds, the SmartBand will already be paired with the mobile. There will also be a connection of two applications at once: Smart Connect (it is responsible for managing the bracelet, setting it up) and Lifelog (monitors vital activity).

When you first start the device, you are invited to download the Lifelog application, which records daily activity, and not only physical. The program collects data about what kind of music you listen to, how much time you spend on watching movies and chatting in social networks. All information is taken from the launch frequency of certain applications.

In the daytime mode of the bracelet, all your actions on the phone are recorded on the Lifelog, and during the night mode, any notifications are disabled and the sleep information is recorded. The application determines the duration of sleep and its phases; in the categories into which all the data are divided, you can see when the sleep was most deep and healthy. The program also has a function of compiling routes of movement, however, it requires constant operation of the GPS sensor, which pretty much puts the battery.

Some users complain that the program often “slows down” and hangs, slowing down the work of the smartphone itself, and after long use in combination with the bracelet you can face serious interruptions in work.

And although SmartBand is associated by most consumers with fitness, this device has a much more extensive range of options.

Sony's smart bracelet supports calls and notifications - when a message or call arrives, the device notifies you of this by vibration. Moreover, using a gadget, you can take a call and use it as a wireless headset. Unfortunately, this scheme does not work with notifications - they will have to be answered directly via a smartphone.

Another useful feature that the bracelet offers is an alarm clock. Setting it up is done through the Smart Connect application, where the desired rise time, the number of repetitions and the interval — the time interval before waking up — during which the device tracks the phase of shallow sleep is selected. This is necessary in order for SmartBand to wake you in this phase, as it is much easier to wake up in it than in deep sleep. The vibration of the alarm is strong enough to wake up the most avid sleepyhead.

With the help of a smart bracelet, you can control music: turn on, rewind songs. One knock on the bracelet stops or resumes playback, two knocks include the next track, three - the previous one.

The device is very soft to the touch, and with the right choice of strap (of the two proposed - sizes S or L) does not interfere and does not irritate. After a few days of wearing it becomes completely invisible on the arm. It performs its duty well and frivolously-looking cufflink - it firmly holds the bracelet on her hand. The accessory does not require particularly gentle treatment, does not rub the wrist during everyday wear.

So, to get a more complete picture, it is necessary to compare all the pros and cons of the gadget.

Benefits:

1. Thanks to the Bluetooth and NFC adapter it is possible to pair with a smartphone.
2. Long battery life, ergonomics.
3. Protection against water and dust.
4. Padded strap.
5. Reasonable price (Smartband SWR10 - an average of 3990 rubles, Smartband 2 SWR12 - about 6990 rubles).
6. Stylish design. Japanese manufacturers continue to maintain in their gadgets the main characteristics: simplicity and minimalism.

Disadvantages:

1. The bracelet does not display the time, and this affects its functionality, since to control the time, in addition to the device, you will also need to wear a wrist watch. (Refers to the Smartband SWR10 black / white model).
2. A very approximate calculation of steps and daily activity.
3. Compatible with Android only. However, this is understandable, because all Sony products work exclusively with her.

Well, the Sony smart bracelet is positioned as a very useful gadget for active people. However, it is not without flaws, so the final decision on the purchase to take only you.

Consumers disagree about the bracelet from Japanese manufacturers. Most users note the excellent design and versatility of the bracelet. Girls praise the minimalistic style of the gadget and its presentable appearance, and men - ergonomics. Fitness lovers say that this device is an indispensable accessory for anyone who leads an active lifestyle or wants to organize their day.

No less frequent and negative reviews. For example, some are outraged by the lack of water resistance of a fitness bracelet, as well as the fact that dust is collected on the strap, especially black, which is difficult to clean due to the embossed design. For someone, the management of the bracelet seemed inconvenient.

Here, everything is purely individual, since the reviews about this development from Sony are very contradictory.