The Sony Smart Tennis Sensor is obviously a niche device. Do you play tennis? Are you dedicated enough to want to track how fast you swing? Are you willing to pay $200 to do so?
For the person that answers yes to all of these questions, the Smart Tennis Sensor is now available for purchase in parts of North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific.
Sony demoed off a prototype device two CES shows ago, and sometime after that a consumer-ready product launched in Japan. Now it's coming to other parts of the world.
The Smart Tennis Sensor isn't its own racket—it clips onto the bottom of yours. You can use it to track the number of times they've swung, how you did it, and how fast. It can monitor ball speed, spin, and place of impact. All of this shows up on the requisite companion app.
Sony's peculiar device isn't just for tennis players. The company has released the Motion Shot app, which lets you use the Smart Tennis Sensor to create animated gifs. Fortunately, you don't need an Xperia phone to take advantage of any of this functionality.
Folks in the US and Canada can buy the Smart Tennis Sensor through Wilson for $200. All other markets have a separate International link. If you're set on taking one for a swing, come back and grab both apps linked under the press release.
PRESS RELEASE
Game, Set, Match: Turn Your Game On with Sony’s Smart Tennis Sensor
TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tennis fans can now take advantage of recent innovations in smart, mobile technologies to help them reach their sporting goals. Sony’s SSE-TN1W Smart Tennis Sensor will connect with your smart-device to make it easier than ever to track your tennis performance accurately. Analyse, review, share and compare your progress against concrete targets, keeping yourself motivated to continue your way towards your ace play.
Sony partnered with top tennis manufacturer Wilson, as well as HEAD, Prince and YONEX, to ensure a perfect fit of the smart tennis sensor with their sleek yet performance-driven rackets known to generations of players. Thanks to its sensing technologies and newly developed vibration analysis mechanics, it has never been easier to analyse your tennis performance. After charging the sensor, simply remove the racket logo cap, affix the attachment ring onto the grip end of the racket and place the tennis sensor onto the attachment ring. Turn on the sensor and start playing – the device will start recording a vast range of data such as number of shots, ball impact spot, swing type, swing speed, ball speed and ball spin.
At full charge, the SSE-TN1W will last 180 minutes1, allowing you to analyse entire matches without having to recharge the device. You can review your shot data in real time or once your match has been concluded. Simply connect the tennis sensor to your smartphone or tablet2 wirelessly to transfer and access the recorded data via the Smart Tennis Sensor app, which can be downloaded for free from the Google Play / App Store. The app can record rallies and simultaneously display recorded video and shot metrics, allowing you to associate the data to a specific part of your game or practice session. You and your coach can also see your shot data live on a smart watch3 as well as on your smartphone and tablet so you don’t have to leave the court to check it and get advice in real time.
Analyse, review and share your Game
The Smart Tennis Sensor app allows you to review recorded data in many ways. Look through your play overviews, analyse both current and historic data, and set goals to track your progress over extensive periods of time. By visualising the recorded data you will have a much better understanding of your strengths and points of improvement. You can even share your accomplishments with your friends by posting them onto social media services and show how fast you are improving your play!
By using Slow-motion playback and creating Motionshot sequence photos4 you will be able to dissect your every movement into all its parts, allowing you to figure out in detail where you can improve your play.
Marc DiPizzo, Sales and Marketing Europe, said, “The Sony Smart Tennis Sensor is very simple to set up and doesn’t involve any distracting or uncomfortable equipment, so you can focus on what matters most in that moment – your match. After you have finished playing you can use the data and analysis to improve your technique for the next time.”
Sony’s Smart Tennis Sensor will be available through Wilson retailers http://www.smarttennissensor.sony.net/NA/ (US/CANADA) http://www.wilson.com/en-us/international/ (International) starting May 14th, 2015.
Even when switching rackets, the sensor can be conveniently transferred any time, along with all recorded data, to other compatible racket models, making Sony’s Smart Tennis Sensor a long-lasting partner in the player’s sports development.
Sony’s Smart Tennis Sensor is officially approved by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for use in competitions.
1 Without Bluetooth, assuming 500 hits/swings per hour
2 Requirement: Android 4.1 or later; iOS6.1 or later
4 Requires external “MotionShot” app, which can be downloaded for free from the Android GooglePlay Store.
