Sony's crowdfunded smartwatch packs all its tech in the wristband, not the watch face

Wena Wrist is one Sony' latest innovative crowd funded projects. Its major difference from its competitors is that it has all its technology in the wristband, not on the watch face.

The Wena Wrist looks like an analog watch that can serve as a digital wallet or an activity tracker. It also delivers notifications to the user by vibrating or creating a beam of discrete LED light. It uses Japan's FeliCa technology for its digital wallet functions. FeliCa is an RFID payment system that is convenient and contactless. It will have an iOS app that can monitor your steps and calories burned to track your activities.

Its crowdfunding projects can be found on their First Flight website. Sony has also gathered funds for their Internet of Things sensors, smart locks, and an e-paper watch.

Sony spokesperson Yo Kikuchi said that Wena's project team leader came up with the idea for the device after uncomfort5able and cluttered with wearing traditional analog watch and other gadgets like smartwatches. He wanted to come up with a device that has the beauty of a traditional analog watch and the convenience of a digital device.

It looks more like a conventional wristwatch than a high-tech device. This means Wena looks simple with a silver and black metallic finish. Its metal clasp has near field communication (NFC) module that allows the wearer to use the FeliCa system. Its battery goes for a week before recharging.

One of the major competitors of Wena is LG's Urbane Luxe, which also looks like a traditional watch with almost identical features as Wena.

By not putting the tech features on the face of the watch, it makes its smartwatch identity less obtrusive. But no matter how much technology is contained in the watch, one of its major features is, of course, tell you the time.


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