TECH TALK: Sony Releases the new ‘SmartBand’: Bad News for Apple?

This April, Sony will launch the “SmartBand” – their offering to the growing personal fitness market – in the UK. Believe it or not, this innovative product threatens to revolutionise the mobile phone industry with unprecedented features and connectivity far beyond the wildest dreams of the most ardent fitness fanatic.

Much like the Sony SmartWatch, the SmartBand is one of several devices currently on the market which can synchronize with a Sony smartphone to track and summarise daily activities ranging from physical exertion to messaging habits. Early reports suggest that the new SmartBand will go a step further; besides linking with Sony smartphones, the SmartBand will also be compatible with Android platforms. This move could mark a shift in the rivalry between Google and Apple, and an upturn in fortunes for the Japanese conglomerate.

As consumers, we are no strangers to integrative connectivity systems which encourage consumers to buy sister products produced by a single brand. This concept – perfectly exemplified by the intrinsic links between Apple or Nintendo products – has previously led many other companies to hitch a ride on a significant market share by pledging their exclusive allegiance to technological giants. In the context of the fitness sector, Nike’s Nike+ feature, made exclusive to Apple in the early days of the latter’s meteoric rise to power within the mobile phone industry, has paved the way for companies looking to establish links with major players, and has demonstrated real demand for everyday “trackers”.

As Android has risen as a serious competitor to Apple and its iOS, products such as the SmartBand prove that the synchronization of multiple devices is no mere short-lived gimmick. Perhaps here Android will finally display a hand with which to trump Apple – much like Microsoft Windows, their OS is not limited to a single company with fixed price bands. For the person looking to integrate their everyday life to umpteenth second, flexibility of choice could be Android’s growing strength.