Japanese consumer electronics titan Sony and venture-backed Italian
startup i’m Watch were each sporting spins on timepieces that use the
Google software to connect wearers with email, music, websites or other
online content.
Sony’s SmartWatch was promised by the end of March while i’m Watch was released at CES.
“This is the right period for the watch,” i’m Watch chief executive
and co-founder Massimiliano Bertolini told AFP at the company’s booth on
the show floor.
“Everybody wants to have technology that is also fashion,” he continued.
“That is the Apple secret; making devices that people fall in love
with.”For some time now California-based Apple has been letting iPod
Nano owners turn the small, square devices into Internet-connected
watches complete with wrist straps.
I’m Watch ranges in price from $350 for colorful models with silicon
wrist bands and aluminum-cased touchscreens to $15,000 for one made of
pink gold and adorned with diamonds, according to company designer
Gianluca Negrello.
Wearers are alerted to new Gmail messages or fresh posts at online
communities Facebook or Twitter and can access digital photo albums or
free Google Web-based services such as Calendar.
Messages can’t be sent from touch-screen i’m Watch, which can connect
to their own online shop for applications or music. People can make
phone calls using i’m Watch, which links wirelessly to smartphones.
Sony said at CES that by the end of March it will release a
touch-display SmartWatch capable of connecting to mobile phones
wirelessly using Bluetooth capabilities.
Applications will be tailored for SmartWatch, which will be priced at $149.
SmartWatch devices being sported by workers at the Sony booth were
tethered wirelessly to Android-powered Xperia smartphone models the
company unveiled at the show.
