#IFA18 – Several years ago, Sony launched a watch on its crowdfunding platform dubbed the FES Watch. What made the watch interesting was that it used an e-paper display, similar to the displays used by e-readers like the Kindle. However its availability was limited to Japan, but at IFA 2018, the company has announced that the FES Watch U will now be launched in more markets.
The FES Watch U is a unique device in that not only does its display use e-paper technology, but also the strap around the watch. This means that users can not only customize the face of the watch, but also its band, which will save users from having to swap out and buy new bands just to get a new look.
However the downside is that with the version of e-paper display that Sony is using, your designs are limited to monochromatic designs, but there will be 100 preloaded designs which means that you should find something that you will like, but you can always make your own if you want.
Unfortunately that’s pretty much where the watch’s “smarts” ends. This is not a smartwatch nor is it a fitness tracker, but rather a hi-tech watch with a digitally customizable face and band, not to mention it does not come cheap. Sony has announced that the watch will be available in either silver or black and will be priced at £529 and £699 respectively, and is expected to be available mid-September in UK, Italy, France, Germany and Spain.
Filed in . Read more about IFA, IFA 2018, Sony and Wearable Tech.