Sony has taken a step forward in the battle to gain dominance in the wearable technology sector with the unveiling of its latest SmartWatch 3 at the IFA tradeshow in Berlin, Germany.

The latest smartwatch offering from the brand sees Sony adopt Google's Android Wear operating system, giving users access to a more standardised way of operating their watch.

Featuring a 1.6-inch screen with a 320x320 resolution, the device looks to rival other models in the market by offering 4GB storage to hold music and also includes Sony’s Lifelog system, which allows users to store health metrics recorded through GPS without having to use a smartphone in conjunction with the watch.

The smartwatch also includes its own set of unique apps, including Sony’s Walkman, with a Bluetooth function also meaning that users can listen with wireless headphones.

The device comes IP68 rated for waterproofing, making it suitable for all weather conditions, while its makers claim to have given the watch a two-day battery life.

Away from helpful exercise features, the SmartWatch 3 can be connected with a phone to make and take calls, while there is a remote control feature to operate camera lenses on certain Sony phones and control panels of televisions.

The SmartWatch 3 is expected to ship in Q3 or Q4 of this year at a cost of £200 (US$325, €251), with Sony possibly looking to take on Apple as it prepares to launch its iWatch.

Speculation has been growing as to the release date for Apple’s wearable, with some sections of the technology press suggesting that the device could be launched as early as next week (9 September).

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