Rumor: Sony is developing a watch that is entirely made of electronic paper

Sony is developing a watch made entirely of electronic paper and plans to release the wearable next year, claims financial news agency Bloomberg. The watch wouldn’t be cluttered with functionality, but it should have its design.

Both the clock and the strap are made from an e-paper that Sony has patents on, Bloomberg said, citing a source within Sony. The use of the material ensures that the entire watch serves as a screen.

Yet it is not about a wearable that has to compete with smartwatches in terms of functionality. Bloomberg cites research from the Nomura Research Institute, which suggests that consumers view the appearance of wearables as the third most important barrier to purchase, after price and weight. Sony already has a fitness bracelet with an e-paper screen: the SmartBand.

The watch is set to be the first product to come out of Sony’s new innovation division. That division was established this year and is under the direct leadership of CEO Kazuo Hirai. The branch aims to accelerate the market introduction of promising prototypes. Not only internal products need a boost, but also projects from third parties. In addition, there is the Seed Acceleration Program that stimulates ideas from employees themselves.