All the big names from the show in one place
IFA 2015 is a chance for the big tech makers of the world to show off their wearable wares, and where would we be if weren’t there in Berlin to pass on judgement upon those we consider the very best? Down the pub? Maybe. Let’s not dwell on it.
Essential reading: Check out our full IFA 2015 news hub
The point is that the team has been scouring the show floor like some kind giant Brillo pad. If it’s a smartwatch, a sports watch, something to do with VR or AR, any kind of headset, a tracker, a device for the smart home or anything that connects with the self at all, then we’ve found, photographed and had a good feel of it too. And, of those that we’ve touched up, these are the wearables from IFA 2015 that got us most excited.
Sony Wena
It’s analogue and it’s smart. The Sony Wena is not the only smartwatch with hands that go tick but it might just be the one that make those afraid of looking like a geek take up the mantle. Designed in conjunction with fellow Japanese company Citizen, these are a selection of chunky watch heads with assorted dials and buttons plus some strap technology which includes an NFC chip, tracking sensors and an LED and vibrations motor which you can personalise to any alert or notification you like.
Sadly, it’s a Japanese exclusive launching in March 2016 but, doubtless, it’ll go global if it’s the kind of smash hit to get really excited about. Take a closer look at the Sony Wena here.
Essential reading: Sony Wena review
Samsung Gear S2
Has Samsung finally struck gold with its latest smartwatch? Well, just maybe. It’s now round, tick; it looks fun, tick; and it’ll even work with non-Samsung phones, double tick. What’s more, the interface has been overhauled with an Apple-like touch. It’s not so much the Digital Crown as a digital bezel where you can use the outer frame of the device to scroll through your options instead of trying to get your finger on the right place of that 1.2-inch Super AMOLED screen.
Smartwatch showdown: Samsung Gear S2 vs Moto 360 2
There’s 4G connectivity, there’s Wi-Fi, heart-rate monitoring, sports modes plus the promise of over 1,000 customisable faces ready for launch in…well, Samsung hasn’t said. And we don’t know the price yet either. In the mean time, do take a closer look on our hands-on Samsung Gear S2 review.
Moto 360 (2nd generation)
The second generation of the Moto 360 still has that mind-bendingly stupid black segment at the bottom of its face. Just don’t ask. Instead, focus on the rest of it which is actually very promising indeed. In terms of design and straps, it’s still right up there for us. It now comes in two sizes – 42mm and 46mm – there’s a mysterious Sports version and it’ll work with both Android and iPhone. Good news.
According to Wareable’s Sophie Charara , it’s the only Android Wear smartwatch that looks good on women, and I’m not going to disagree with her because she’s much more female than I am and also because she’s been known to hit other staff members in the face. It’s out later in September and available for £229, although, if you’re reading this Motorola, we suggest you send one out to Sophie. Before she comes looking for you.
Take a look at our first look Moto 360 review here.
TomTom Spark Cardio + Music GPS Fitness
It’s been quiet on the sports watch front at IFA 2015 but, fortunately, TomTom has been carrying the torch by launching a rather confusing range of four devices. You can get the full breakdown of what they’re all called and which models they’re replacing at our TomTom Spark preview but the one we’re most excited about is the mouthful that is the TomTom Spark Cardio + Music GPS Fitness.
Why? Well, it’s one of the few sports watches that combines GPS, wrist-based heart-rate monitoring, activity and sleep tracking plus music playback too, and that makes for a very healthy all-rounder. Sadly, there’s no Spotify involved but you do get some bespoke foot-stomping playlists from Ministry of Sound pre-loaded.
Samsung SmartThings
SmartThings – the Kickstarter smart home hub project that was bought by Samsung in 2014 – is now in generation two and, better still, will finally be coming to the UK on 10 September. While SmartThings itself will not lock your door, make your toast or brush your teeth, etc, it can orchestrate all your other smart devices to do just that as it sees fit. It’ll also tell you about everything that’s going on in your house by sending you messages throughout the day. Ignore them as you will.
In the box is a motion sensor, think comings and goings through the door; a temperature monitor, think checking for fire; a power outlet controller, think switch timers; a moisture sensor, think leak detection and a multi-purpose sensor, think everything else you haven’t thought of. Best of all, though, it’s fully compatible with all the most popular smart home kit of the moment with Yale, Honeywell, Philips and Bose all on the books. Take a closer look at our Samsung SmartThings preview here.
DJI Phantom 3 Standard
A leftfield entry into our list but bear with us, the DJI Phantom 3 Standard drone is not entirely new – it hit the shelves a few months back in April – but it’s just become something Wareable at IFA 2015.
It’s a drone that you might actually be able to afford, if not fly, at £650 and it even comes with a 2.7k-quality video camera for that money too.
What makes it Wareable is that DJI has announced some rather exciting features which are getting rolled out from 7 September, and one of these is that it will now lock onto its owner and follow you around, therefore connecting to your good self. Technically speaking, it’s actually your smartphone that it’ll connect to which could make for an interesting way of catching a crook that runs off with your mobile.
Follow Me, as it’s known, works at a set altitude and distance away from the user and is designed for all extreme sports enthusiasts out there – and for people who’d just like a little company when they’re off down to the shops.