Sony unveils SmartBand 2, a waterproof wearable with heart rate monitor

Sony has announced its new wearable device, Smartband 2.

According to the Verge, the SmartBand 2 features a heart rate monitor which will augment the device's ability to track the users' fitness. It also functions as a sort of triage system for notifications, connecting to users' Android and iOS smartphones and vibrating to let them know about incoming calls, texts and emails.

The SmartBand 2 has no screen. Instead it relies on vibrations and LEDs to get its messages across. It also functions as music remote and has a smart alarm clock feature that monitors users' sleep and wakes them with vibrations at the best point in their sleep cycle.

Sony says the device is waterproof and has two days of battery life from an hour of charging. The device when paired with the company's Lifelog app offers insights about the user's fitness and stress levels.

Sony has a number of SmartWear products designed to work with the Lifelog app, including the SmartWatch, SmartBand and SmartBand Talk. It will be available in black and white at launch, and pink and indigo versions will be added afterwards. The SmartBand 2 will be available this September for US $132.