Today make a sports bracelet with a pedometer for electronics manufacturers is not too difficult, all the components are known and available. Now on sale, you can find dozens of such devices, and it may even appear that they are all more or less the same. In most cases it is, however, there are also interesting model. One of them – it’s a smart bracelet Sony SmartBand SWR10, which we describe in this review.

In a small box SmartBand SWR10 can find a basis Core, two bracelets of different sizes, as well as charging cable from USB-port.

Design and materials

Smart bracelet Sony SmartBand SWR10 consists of two components: the plastic module Core, which is hidden all the electronics, as well as the strap.

The latter may be of different designs and colors to our review was black, made of hypoallergenic rubber.

In this coloring it looks pretty boring, but Sony also offers a more vibrant colors, such as lime or orange. The very same strap design is absolutely nothing stands out, and it can hardly be regarded as an accessory that can accentuate the style of the owner.

Core module housing has protection standard IP58, which implies its complete protection against dust, as well as the opportunity to dive into the water for a long time.

Ease of use

Bracelet SmartBand SWR10 mounted on the arm with a simple locking system is implemented through holes in which two pins inserted. In this configuration the bracelet is fixed well on the hand, and the user can choose whether he will adhere tightly to the skin.

Control SWR10 is performed by a single mechanical button on the housing. As an indicator uses three LEDs.

On hand Sony SmartBand SWR10 hardly felt, bracelet can be worn around the clock, it does not cause discomfort and is not afraid of water.

Work with your smartphone

By smartphone SmartBand SWR10 connects by using Bluetooth 4.0 (for pairing can use NFC), and for his work required application Lifelog, as well as Smart Connect. Unfortunately, the work can only SWR10 smartphones on Android version 4.4 and higher.

Through the program implemented Smart Connect configuration and management bracelet

A Lifelog displaying data collected device.

They include indicators pedometer, which I discuss below, as well as data on calories burned, steps, running, data on sleep. That is the standard set for sports bracelets. However, the Sony went on, and the application Lifelog also captures how much time users to listen to music on your smartphone, take a picture, read books, use the browser, watched movies, or talk on the phone, through instant messenger or social networking.

At the end of the day all this develops into an interesting picture, which helps to better plan their time.

In conjunction SmartBand SWR10 Lifelog and also has a function to create notes. If you double-click a mechanical button on the bracelet, the application will create a note with the date and time. Then from your smartphone, you can write it tex. So Sony offers to celebrate the important moments for the user. Big advantage of this feature is not present.

Pedometer

The main type of information that captures SmartBand SWR10, are the steps.

This is a very simple function, which is implemented through the accelerometer, but Sony were able to extract from it almost maximum. The fact that the company is able to determine the bracelet when a person goes on foot, running, riding a bike or car / public transport.

At the same time he does it with astonishing accuracy. For each of these parameters can be set purpose, for example, walking an hour a day on foot and 30 minutes ride on the truck.

Alert

From ordinary pedometer or sports bracelet Sony SmartBand SWR10 differs by the fact that the support alerts from your smartphone. To do this, the device is set vibrating motor, which is triggered by an incoming call or, for example, the message of Viber.

All this can be flexibly configured through the program Smart Connect. Vibration for incoming notifications on the bracelet is very convenient, it allows you to completely turn off the sound on your phone, for example, do not wake up a small child or distract colleagues in the office.

Smart Service

As befits a smart bracelet, Sony SmartBand SWR10 able to track the phases of sleep and wake him by at the right time. If, for example, need to wake up at 7 am, you can select the time period for 30, 20 or 10 minutes, when triggered the alarm.

During this time, try SWR10 determine the phase of light sleep. How it works, is hard to say, especially if you wake up is almost always hard. But waking up with a slight vibration in the hand is much nicer than the wake-up call.

Manage your music

With Sony SmartBand SWR10 can control your music on your smartphone. And because the buttons on the smartphone is only one, implemented a very interesting way. To enter the player controls, press the mechanical key and hit your finger across the surface of the bracelet.

After that, tapping his fingers on the body, you can start / stop playback and switch tracks. Not the most convenient realization, but it really works.

Autonomy

Despite its small size, built-in Sony SmartBand SWR10 battery allows the bracelet to work on a single charge about 5 days.

This is not the best in the class, but a good indicator, especially for a device with a wireless connection. SWR10 can be recharged from a computer via a USB port or from the microUSB-charging.

In summary

Sony SmartBand SWR10 – one of the most affordable smart bracelets on the Ukrainian market. Despite the relatively simple equipment, Sony managed to squeeze out of the device almost maximum. And except for a featureless design and Marco body, otherwise SmartBand SWR10 is the best smart bracelet for Android-smartphone from those that we had on the test.

We liked:

+ Pluggable

+ Two strap included

+ Protection against water and dust

+ Ability to consider not only the steps but also running, movement of vehicles

+ Smart Service

+ Manage your music

+ Support for alerts

+ Charging via microUSB port

We do not like:

– Design

– Marco body materials

– Support for Android only

The post Review of bracelet Sony SmartBand SWR10 appeared first on Raqwe.

At the time, while most manufacturers are trying to force only in the market of smart bracelets, company Jawbone releases the third generation of this device, called UP24. Accumulations of its experience should be enough to create a good gadget that will leave current and future competitors far behind. Will it have the Jawbone make the perfect bracelet for a healthy lifestyle, and how it differs from the previous version , read the review below.

Design and construction

Externally Jawbone UP24 difficult to distinguish from the previous model, the novelty gives only changed textured pattern on the body. 

But only at first glance, in fact the device was a little thinner previous version, and mainly due to the fact that it uses a 2.5mm plug, not the 3.5 mm as before.

Also, changed the look of the only mechanical control buttons, it has also become less.

In general, the design Jawbone UP24 little changed, and it is somewhat disappointing. Companies should pay more attention to it, because the third year in a row use the same design does not allow even more famous manufacturers.

Follows from the old design and the main problem Jawbone, which the company or can not see or do not want to see. The fact that her bracelets often fail before they even until the end of the warranty period. I know users who had to change three devices in the last year, the benefit of free support change them without any questions. With a certain degree of probability, at Jawbone UP24 may be the same problem. After construction of the bracelet has not changed.

It’s still a thin sheet of bent spring steel, which is attached electronics, coated with a hypoallergenic rubber. The degree of bending of this design is limited, and most statements Jawbone bracelets fail because their users correctly don and remove. For an explanation of how to do it right the company even released a video tutorial.

Perhaps if we use this instruction and problems will not arise, but the design itself, which is the probability of such failure, can not be considered reliable. On hand UP24, certainly played by the fact that the bracelet to sync with your smartphone using Bluetooth, and shoot it with your hands need not as often as before.

Wearing qualities

Almost the entire body is covered with Jawbone UP24 hypoallergenic rubber black or orange. It is kind to the skin, which also does not cause skin irritation. Its only drawback is that its surface is easily overwritten, it occurs in contact with clothing or bracelet of its two parts. But the appearance of the device is not much affected.

Like the previous model, Jawbone UP24 is protected against water, bracelet can be immersed to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. Swim with the bracelet is not recommended, but take it off before the shower is not required.

Ease of use

Follow the instructions Jawbone, donning and doffing UP24 quite easily. But at the very hand bracelet fixed worse than the same Fitbit Force, since design features. Very often UP24 clinging clothes and trying to bend the wrong way. 

As in the previous version, there are three UP24 size depending on the size of the wrist. Choose for themselves the right option is easy, the site has detailed instructions on how to do it. If size is chosen correctly, UP24 wear comfortable, he does not press on hand.

Jawbone UP24 management can be performed either from your smartphone, or using a different sequence of clicks a button on the device. Realized it is also convenient, as in previous versions of the bracelet.

Jawbone UP24 until it can work only with the iPhone and connects to them through the protocol Bluetooth 4.0.

Despite the fact that the communication protocol used successfully huge number of accessories, it works in UP24 with varying success. Application is not always the first time sees the bracelet, as a result it is often necessary to turn off. Perhaps this is a software problem, and fix it soon. 

By computer Jawbone UP24 can connect port for charging from USB. It is implemented through a special adapter with a 2.5 mm input. Synchronize your device with a computer is not available.

Sleep

With the built-in accelerometer Jawbone UP24 can monitor the quality of sleep a person determining how quickly he falls asleep, how deeply asleep, and on the basis of these data, calculates the phases of sleep.

Based on these data, work smart alarm clock, which must operate in a while, when a person is in the least deep sleep phase. It works as follows, the application gets the user Jawbone alarm for a particular time and specifies the time interval from 10 to 30 minutes, when we need to wake up. In practice, we can not say that the device helps easier to wake up, but it’s easier to follow for the duration of their sleep and force myself to go ahead.

Bracelet for a healthy lifestyle

Jawbone UP24 can count steps, calories burned, as well as the approximate distance. The main purpose of the device – this tracking activity for the user to be able to look at himself and changed habits.

Bracelet by default offers the wearer to perform not less than 10 thousand steps a day and sleep at least 8 hours. Even cope with this task is not quite easy to sacrifice in favor of transport walking and force myself to go to bed earlier. In general, it really helps, especially if there is a motivation to look and feel better. Without it UP24 not help, but will gather dust on the shelf.

Athletics

During physical activity UP24 can activate its tracking. This will capture data on the duration of employment, distance, intensity, average pace and calories burned.

For fixing the base of his training with the subsequent analysis, it will be enough, but not for all types of physical activity. Modern sports watches offer a lot more functions not only to track the activity, but also for planning training. In this regard, UP24 helps to connect to popular applications for sports, including popular MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper and Strava.

Bracelet exchanges data with them that allows you to expand the picture. But you still need to remember that UP24, primarily intended for everyday activity tracking, and not a specialized unit for training, although not ruled out any functionality.

Autonomy

In Jawbone UP24 battery installed 38 mAh, which is enough for 5-7 days of battery life, depending on the intensity of use of wireless synchronization.

In addition to physical activity, another party content myself in good shape, is a healthy diet.

To do this, UP24 have a database of products that for the last year significantly enriched. The user can enter a name products and ready meals manually or scan them as barcodes. In Ukraine, it does not work with all products.

Expert Commentary

Control over the consumption of products in Annex Jawbone UP – a complete picture of the consumption of calories and their consumption. The program lays out all the entered food proteins to carbohydrates, fats, omega-3-fat-salt-cholesterol, etc. Large database includes all known products and dishes – even while living in Thailand, it is not difficult to find the right spring roll or spicy soup. At home in the database easily find several kinds of cheese, including the home, several variations of borscht, rye bread – in general, local specialties in each country presented completely. Yet it is worth remembering, if you decide to enter the fair, about oils and sauces (for the sake of fair picture calorie) – this is also in the database to the maximum – from all kinds of plant to different yogurts. Average system works by reading bar codes – from milk to chocolate.

Eventually

Compared with previous models Jawbone UP24 changed slightly so that the owners of the second-generation UP almost no reason to update, especially given the increased price. At a time when the market goes more competitors, Jawbone continues to stagnate. Minor improvements, will definitely go smart bracelets company benefit, and can not say that they are not important. However, they are insufficient to ensure that the company, which in fact was first to market smart bracelets, it remained the leader. Today Jawbone needs a qualitative step forward. Purchase UP24 background on upcoming competitors makes sense for the need to integrate third-party applications bracelet such as MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper and Strava. In addition, in the arsenal of Jawbone is still a great app, as well as a large base of products, in this regard, the company has no equal. In other cases, worth the wait or the new version of the bracelet or watch from competing solutions.

Liked:

+ Autonomy
+ Pedometer
+ Smart Service
+ Application
+ Waterproof
+ Simple operation
+ Database products

Disliked:

– Bored design
– No information display
– Disruption of synchronization
– Support for iPhone only
– Not very reliable fixation on hand

The post Review Jawbone UP24: just add Bluetooth appeared first on Raqwe.