Sony’s Reon Pocket Pro Plus Offers Personalized Climate Control for Your Neck

Sony Electronics has unveiled the Reon Pocket Pro Plus, an updated version of its personal climate control device designed to be worn around the neck. This compact gadget aims to provide localized cooling and heating, offering a solution for personal comfort during commutes, warm afternoons, or in environments with fluctuating temperatures.

Personalized Climate Control

The Reon Pocket Pro Plus distinguishes itself from traditional fans by utilizing a direct-contact cooling and heating plate positioned against the upper back. This method aims to alter the body’s perceived temperature through direct thermal transfer rather than circulating air. The device is engineered to address common discomforts associated with temperature variations, offering a portable and discreet way to manage personal comfort.

Enhanced Design and Functionality

Building on the original Reon Pocket series launched in Japan in 2019, the Pro Plus model introduces refinements for improved performance and wearability. Key upgrades include a more robust thermal system, a more secure neckband designed for stability during movement, and a slimmer profile for everyday use. Sony describes the device as a fusion of gadget, wearable accessory, and personal environmental tool, emphasizing the concept of adjusting comfort locally.

The device is worn around the neck, resting between the shoulders, with a curved plate making contact with the skin. Sony states that it incorporates dual thermo modules for both cooling and warming functions. Integrated sensors monitor skin temperature and environmental conditions in real-time. In its “Smart Cool” or “Smart Warm” modes, the Reon Pocket Pro Plus can automatically adjust its temperature settings based on the user’s preferences and the ambient environment, controlled via a companion app.

Adaptive Hold Design

A notable design feature is the “Adaptive Hold Design” of the neckband. This new configuration aims to keep the unit more steadily positioned against the body, minimizing the small movements that can disrupt thermal transfer. This focus on fit and friction is crucial for a wearable device intended for active use.

The Reon Pocket Pro Plus operates using a chilled metal plate, with warm exhaust directed away from the wearer. Sony has also redesigned the airflow vent, allowing it to extend and change angle. This feature enhances the device’s discretion by making it easier to conceal beneath various collar types while still enabling efficient heat dissipation.

External Sensing Capabilities

The Pro Plus model includes a separate wearable sensing tag. This tag can be clipped to a bag, strap, or belt loop to measure ambient temperature and humidity away from the body. This external data provides the device with a more comprehensive understanding of the surrounding climate, enabling it to respond more effectively to environmental conditions beyond just the wearer’s skin temperature.

Battery Life and Operation

Sony reports that the new model offers up to fifteen hours of battery life in “Smart Cool” mode. The device is equipped with on-device buttons for quick access to cooling and warming functions, useful when a smartphone is not readily available. The companion app provides more granular control, including personalized temperature settings and automatic mode adjustments. A key advantage highlighted is that the device is fanless, contributing to its quiet operation and making it suitable for use in shared spaces like offices, trains, and cafes without causing disturbance.

Broader Implications for Comfort

The introduction of the Reon Pocket Pro Plus arrives at a time when issues of personal comfort in diverse and unevenly conditioned environments are becoming more prominent. As heat waves increase in frequency, and indoor climate control remains inconsistent, the device suggests a shift towards more individualized and mobile solutions for managing personal temperature, moving beyond the limitations of room-wide climate adjustments.

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| Característica | Detalle |
|—|—|
| Nombre del producto | REON POCKET PRO Plus |
| Marca | Sony Electronics |
| Batería | Hasta 15 horas en modo SMART COOL |
| Precio | £199 / €229 |
| Disponibilidad | Reino Unido y Europa |

Fuente: Designboom, https://www.designboom.com/technology/sony-wearable-air-conditioner-cold-neck-reon-pocket-pro-plus/

Datos clave