Sony is officially bringing one of its stranger gadgets to the United States, and it might either become the next big wearable trend or something folks laugh at on the subway. The company just announced the REON POCKET PRO Plus, a neck-worn device designed to cool or warm your body throughout the day.
At first glance, it sounds ridiculous. Then you remember how miserable summer commuting can be, especially packed into a train car with broken air conditioning while wearing work clothes. Suddenly, the idea does not seem quite so crazy anymore. It was previously released in other countries, so I suppose it has been at least mildly popular to make its way to the USA. But who really knows.
Sony says the REON POCKET PRO Plus automatically adjusts temperature levels based on both your body and the surrounding environment. Using built-in sensors, the device monitors skin temperature in real time and changes cooling or heating intensity without requiring constant manual tweaking. Users can also set a preferred temperature range through the companion app.
The company is pitching this as something people can actually wear daily without drawing too much attention. The redesigned neckband is supposed to keep the cooling surface firmly against the body while still remaining comfortable enough for extended use. Sony also redesigned the airflow system so it works with different clothing styles and collar types.
Thankfully, the company says the device runs quietly too. Nobody wants to wear a miniature jet engine around their neck all day. Sony claims the REON POCKET PRO Plus is fan-less and can deliver up to 15 hours of battery life in SMART COOL mode, which should be enough for a full day away from home.
There is also an optional wearable sensing tag that tracks humidity and surrounding temperatures. That data feeds back into the main device so it can supposedly react more intelligently to changing conditions during the day.
Part of me still wonders whether this is solving a real problem or creating a fancy gadget category that nobody asked for. At the same time, portable personal climate control has been a science fiction fantasy forever. We already wear smartwatches, earbuds, fitness trackers, and AI pins. A wearable cooler honestly does not feel that far removed from where tech is heading anyway.
Sony says the REON POCKET PRO Plus will launch in the United States sometime this summer through its online store. Pricing has not yet been announced.
