Wearable devices, stars of the 2014 Mobile World Congress

Barcelona (CNA).- The Mobile World Congress (MWC) has been held in Barcelona from the 24^th to the 27^th of February. All the halls were filled with excitement as international competitive exhibitors showed their latest products and growing trends in the mobile phone industry. This year, ‘wearable devices’ received world-wide attention. Samsung showcased the newest smartwatches called ‘Gear 2’ and ‘Gear 2 Neo’, and also its cutting-edge smartband called ‘Gear Fit’. Sony also released its latest smart device called ‘Core’. Other companies such as Motorola, which announced at the MWC it was going to launch a new smartwatch, are about to join this emergent flow in the industry. Moreover, this remarkable series of innovation in mobile devices is leading to changes in ‘traditional’ sectors like healthcare. mHealth, health-related services using mobile devices, also has become a key trend at the MWC and is set to settle into our daily lives in the very near future.

Samsung’s eye-catching wearable devices

The recently released smartwatches, Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, which will be available from April, introduce heart-rate sensor and the company's own FDA-cleared S health app for the first time in its ‘Gear’ model. ‘Gear Fit’, freshly released on Monday, is simpler than the other two but it also has an inbuilt heart rate sensor. Besides, it has the primary function mainly focused on fitness: tracking function for walking, hiking, cycling, and fitness coaching system suitable for different kinds of sports. Also, ‘Gear Fit’ is prominent given that it has adopted an OLED screen, which makes it possible for the device to have a groundbreaking 1.84 inch curved screen.

Sony’s ‘Core’ - a wide variety of colors

Sony’s newest wearable device ‘Core’, which will start being on sale in March, stands out in the exhibition in that it offers interchangeable wristbands in various colors. ‘Core’ is the small device with a sensor and users can choose how to wear it by changing its holder: wristband or necklace. “We separately offer Core and wristbands, because this device is something you wear. So we hope that customers choose their favorite one that fits the most their lifestyle from various options in color and style”, said Mr. Nakata from Sony Mobile Communications. Users can accumulate personal information such as health or sports activity record like running or even user’s feeling in daily life by connecting the device and smartphone which introduced an app called ‘Lifelog’, which is also offered by Sony. “This device is unique in that it records people’s everyday life. Also as users, we ourselves are looking forward to further innovation”, said Mr. Nataka.

The never-ending possibility of ‘mHealth’

There is an emerging demand and opportunities in the mobile phone industry regarding the health sector. mHealth, which stands for the provision of health-related services using mobile devices, was one of the key topics at the MWC this year. “Nowadays we are more worried about our health. By using wearable devices you can record your diet, hear-rate or even how you sleep at night. The device surely will help us solve the heath-related problems and lead a better life. It empowers you”, said Luis de la Peña, Samsung’s IM marketing manager. The latest devices will be available “soon” and more and more people will be able to get better control over their own health by using wearable devices.