Android-powered watches get Internet savvy

Japanese consumer electronics titan Sony and venture-backed Italian startup i’m Watch were each sporting spins on timepieces that use the Google software to connect wearers with email, music, websites or other online content.

I’m Watch ranges in price from $350 for colorful models with silicon wrist bands and aluminum-cased touchscreens to $15,000 for one made of pink gold and adorned with diamonds, according to company designer Gianluca Negrello.

Wearers are alerted to new Gmail messages or fresh posts at online communities Facebook or Twitter and can access digital photo albums or free Google Web-based services such as Calendar.

Sony said at CES that by the end of March it will release a touch-display SmartWatch capable of connecting to mobile phones wirelessly using Bluetooth capabilities.