Sony upgraded its wearable AC to be cooler and more comfortable to hug your neck

Sony has announced a new version of the Air conditioner a person wears the company first revealed it in 2019 ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The latest version is an upgrade to last year’s Pro modeland while the new Reon Pocket Pro Plus isn’t a complete hardware upgrade, it does come with performance upgrades and design changes to make it easier to wear discreetly under many types of shirts. It launches in Europe and other markets today for €229/£199, or about $270. Like all previous models, Sony has not mentioned plans to bring it to the US.

Instead of just blowing your breath like Dyson HushJet Mini CoolReon Pocket Pro Plus works like Shark’s ChillPill cold plate supplement. Using two adjustable arms that wrap around your neck to keep it snug against your back, the device relies on cold metal pressing against your skin. Compared to last year’s model, the surface temperature of the plate has been reduced by two additional degrees Celsius, and it works together with an “adaptive cooling algorithm” that Sony says brings a 20 percent improvement in cooling.

Other changes include the new design of the Reon Pocket Pro Plus’ air outlet, allowing you to extend its length and change its angle so that warm air is blown away from your body, even when wearing a top coat. The Pro Plus also works with the new Reon Pocket Tag 2 sensor which is now 18 percent smaller and has a new design that allows it to be hung on a belt or carabiner away from your body to measure temperature and humidity.