Sony had to do some serious changes within the company recently due to the lack of income in the Sony Mobile department. This Japanese manufacturer just can’t seem to get turn profit when it comes to selling their smartphones, despite the fact they make rather appealing devices. That might have something to do with their pricing and advertising, but that’s just my guess. Sony was never able to compete in the low-mid range market as far as pricing goes, or they didn’t want to do so. Either way, Sony decided to concentrate on making high-end devices and leave China altogether it seems. Sony’s other departments are doing great though, so no worries as far as the company is concerned. This Japanese giant also dabbled in wearables, on several occasions actually. Sony already has three smartwatches out on the market, Sony Smartwatch 1, 2 and 3. The third iteration of Sony’s wearable is powered by Android Wear OS and it is available via Google Play Store for $249.
We’re here to talk about the newest report that came our way and sounds rather interesting. According to Bloomberg, Sony is working on a smartwatch which will be constructed using a patented material very similar to e-paper. This material will allegedly let Sony use the whole surface of the watch as a display, which certainly sounds interesting. “The watch’s face and wrist band will be made from a patented material that allows the entire surface area to function as a display and change its appearance, the people said, asking not to be named because it hasn’t been announced. The device will emphasize style, rather than trying to outdo more technological offerings like Apple Inc.’s watch and Sony’s own SmartWatch,” said Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources. Sony’s CEO, Kaz Hirai, actually said earlier that company’s new innovation program is “the driving force for our new Sony,”, and it seems like this e-paper smartwatch might be a part of that program.
I have to say I’m intrigued. Pebble uses an e-paper display, though that’s not a touchscreen panel and it seems like Sony has something completely different in mind, I’m looking forward to hear more. Your thoughts?