Too costly for nothing.
Wena-user here. I bought the Wena Active a couple of years ago combined with a mechanical head. As this was the Active version i found myself using it mainly as a smartband without the mechanical head attached.
To answer a few of the questions in the comment section:
- Their app and device supports both English and Japanese. Not sure about other languages.
- The previous generation also had up to 1 week battery life which I found fairly accurate depending on use (5-7 days).
- As a fitness tracker it left a bit to be desired. The app was limited, and it was very conversative when counting steps (although consistent - way more than other brands like Fitbit and Apple). The v1 heart rate sensor was also quite poor.
However, these things seems to have been addressed in this new model.
- as for NFC capability and electronic payment v1 was only limited to a few not-so-common payment solutions in Japan but this new one finally have support for Suica which is the biggest one so that alone will probably make this a megahit here in Japan.
Actually the lack of Suica was the reason why I switched to Garmin Fenix about 6 months ago. As a life and fitness tracker that's a superior watch to Wena ( and any other brand) in almost any way, but it still looks like a smartwatch and is therefore not very "classy ( still 10x better than the awful Apple watch though!)
So although I'm super happy with my Fenix, had I known Wena was coming up with a new one like this with improved fitness/life tracking + Suica payment I would probably have waited.
I really hope Sony would make a Titanium version of this.
I really like this idea. I have a classic watch given to me as a gift. I have no intention of going to a smart watch. This Wena however would be great. I wonder what languages it currently supports.
inSyt, 04 Oct 2020My cellphone shows the time, so lets compare my cellphone to your Bip. Why does your Bip not h... moreThank god it does not have a camera, games or can take pictures.
We are talking a smartwatch not some B$ phone replacement.
Fearghast, 02 Oct 2020It shows the time, it's a watch. My cellphone shows the time, so lets compare my cellphone to your Bip. Why does your Bip not have a camera? Why can it not take calls? Why can it not play games?
Wenas look great, but they're unfortunately an expensive niche product with poor availability.
TeD, 03 Oct 2020Really good idea, i don't know why nobody thought about that before...Still 215 euros as ... moreDepends on it functions and what it can do. It certainly cheaper compare to the full on traditional smart watch, and a fraction of cost for mechanical watches as a band replacement. Going even above some premium watch brand, this 'replacement band' is fraction of the old fashion band cost.
Anonymous, 03 Oct 2020You clearly don't understand the watch market. SmartWatch isn't for everyone. There ... moreSome people just has no taste, that all.
Anonymous, 02 Oct 2020Do the competition even KNOW what the other players in the market are doing?! Look at Amazfit... moreYou clearly don't understand the watch market. SmartWatch isn't for everyone. There are many people who like a traditional watch (all the Swiss and Japanese watchmakers are very much in business). This band is a niche product catered towards those. It is not meant to be competing with 35 Eur Mi band neither with 400 Eur apple watch.
Why do people bashing on this thing?
It's only available in Japan. So it's probably made to cater some niche japanese customer anyway.
Plus, this thing is a watch strap with fitness tracking ability. So that the person using this can use it with their traditional mechanical or quartz watch.
The concept looks really cool for person who still use a traditional watch but wanted to track steps.
Anonymous, 02 Oct 2020Do the competition even KNOW what the other players in the market are doing?! Look at Amazfit... moreNothing special about it. Wena 3 is an ingenious solution.
OMG! This is so perfect!
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B08GLQ4MLL/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_fab_5daEFbB10K0KJ
They seem to ship internationally.
Fearghast, 02 Oct 2020It shows the time, it's a watch. It's both actually, you can use it as a watch strap or just a standalone smartband.
I do wonder how thick this thing actually is though.
Oh, so it's a smart strap for existing watches. That's really brilliant. Need a reviewer who had tried it for months.
Really good idea, i don't know why nobody thought about that before...Still 215 euros as starting price is a bit steep, could have colour display.
inSyt, 02 Oct 2020You obviously not very good at reading. Please read the title of the article again. This is no... moreIt shows the time, it's a watch.
Fearghast, 02 Oct 2020I own such a device - it's Bip and I got the new Bip S - just for giggles. Battery is 60... moreYou obviously not very good at reading. Please read the title of the article again. This is not a watch.
Sony needs 3 perfect devices of this kind and same for tablets and laptops well prices and they will sell like cakes. Sony did it perfect years ago. Sony come back please! I want these!
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