Sony Smartwatch 2 World Cup edition revealed
Themed green and yellow wrist strap for football fans and exhibitionists, but a more subtle black strap will also be included in the box
In case it has somehow passed you by, Sony is one of the headline sponsors of the 2014 World Cup. The Brazil 2014 logo can be found all over the company’s products this year, but that isn’t enough for Sony – it revealed it will be launching a special edition of its Smartwatch 2 wearable with matching Brazilian colours to celebrate the tournament at today’s Mobile World Congress press conference.
The green and yellow strap is made from a coarse textile material, with a single notch clasp to secure the watch in place on your wrist. Less ostentatious customers will be happy to hear that Sony is also supplying a more subtle black strap in the box, which can be quickly swapped over for a less attention-grabbing look.
First impressions: Sony Smartwatch 2 Hands-on review
Otherwise, the new World Cup edition watch is functionally identical to the basic Smartwatch 2, with a 1.6in, 220×176 resolution LCD display, IP57 water-resistant seal and an aluminium body. Internally, expect Bluetooth 3.0, NFC for easy pairing, a microUSB recharging port and up to seven days of battery life.
Smartwatch 2 uses plugins to add extra functionality on top of the built-in missed call, SMS, email, Facebook and Twitter notifications, music control, calendar appointments and the ability to reject or mute calls. It works with any Android device, not just Sony handsets, although it isn’t compatible with Apple’s iOS 7.
There will also be a new silver stainless steel version, which replaces the black metal finish of the premium model. The strap will match the body, giving the watch a sleek look that could give the equally attractive Pebble Steel a run for its money.
Sony expects the World Cup edition Smartwatch 2 to go on sale towards the end of March, with prices staying the same as the standard version.
