As expected, Google just took the wraps off Android Wear, and, along with it, the LG G Watch.
The G Watch was first unveiled in April, with LG as one of the initial partners announced to be manufacturing an Android Wear device, along with Motorola. While we had several notable leaks since then, Google and LG have kept the key details under wraps until today, when the device was announced on the stage of Google I/O 2014.
In terms of specifications, the LG G Watch comes with a Snapdragon 400 processor, a 1.65-inch LCD display with a 280×280 resolution, 4GB of storage, 512MB of RAM, and a 400 mAh battery that should offer 36 hours of standby time. The device weighs 63 grams and is 37.9 x 46.5 x 9.95mm in size. Fabricated out of stainless steel and silicone, the LG G Watch will be available in two colors at launch, Black Titan and White Gold, and will feature IP67 water and dust resistance. Other features include Bluetooth 4.0, gyroscope, accelerometer and compass. Users will be able to change the straps with any standard 22 mm strap on the market.
In terms of software functionality, the LG G Watch will let you see notifications from your device thanks to Android Wear, as well as interact with the device with voice commands, for stuff like interrogating Google Now, responding to messages, and setting reminders.
“Watches powered by Android Wear aim to show you the right information and suggestions you need, right when you need them,” said Sundar Pichai, SVP, Android, Chrome & Apps. “It’s been great to work with LG on the launch of the G Watch — especially given its simple, easy-to-use design.”
The LG G Watch will become available for pre-order in the Play Store today, in 12 countries including United States, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, South Korea and Japan.
“Soon after” retailers in 27 additional countries will have it for sale, including markets like Australia, Brazil, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Russia.
Stay tuned for more coverage on the G Watch and all the Google I/O 2014 announcements.
LG EYES MAINSTREAM ADOPTION OF WEARABLES WITH FIRST DEVICE POWERED BY ANDROID WEAR
SEOUL, June 26, 2014 — With an eye on transforming wearable devices into more than just a conversation piece, LG Electronics (LG) today introduced the highly anticipated LG G Watch (http://goo.gl/Ie8TB0), one of the first devices powered by Android Wear™, Google’s new operating system which extends the Android platform to wearables. As a wrist wearable device featuring a button-less design, the G Watch will appeal to a mass audience with its simple minimalist design, quick and “glance-able” access to useful information and seamless connectivity with other Android devices, keeping users connected wherever, whenever.
“As one of the first to market with Android Wear, LG wanted to develop a product that functions as an essential companion device but most importantly, was simple to use,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “We wanted a device that would be simple to learn and so intuitive that users wouldn’t even have to think about how to use its features. That’s what the LG G Watch is all about.”
“Watches powered by Android Wear aim to show you the right information and suggestions you need, right when you need them,” said Sundar Pichai, SVP, Android, Chrome & Apps. “It’s been great to work with LG on the launch of the G Watch — especially given its simple, easy-to-use design.”
At the core of the LG G Watch is a powerful and energy-efficient Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400 processor clocking in at 1.2GHz. Paired with a low power consuming Always-On 1.65-inch IPS display with true-to-life color reproduction, the LG G Watch enhances the functionality of Android smartphones by providing quick access to useful information. The Always-On screen makes it easy to tell the time with a quick glance. Connected via Bluetooth, the LG G Watch displays messages, shows who’s calling, controls music play-back and more without the smartphone ever having to be removed from a pocket or bag.
Integral to the LG G Watch and Android Wear is a simple new user experience designed around cards, which provides useful information when it’s needed, and voice recognition which allows one to ask questions and get things done easily. With voice recognition, LG was free to design the LG G Watch without any buttons or keys. Users can send text messages and search for useful information just by saying, “Ok Google”. LG and Google worked closely together from the outset to design a truly integrated experience.
The LG G Watch combines form and function in a subtle, minimalist design with an intuitive touch-based user interface. And with an Ingress Protection rating of IP67, the LG G Watch is designed to be protected from dust and water resistant for up to 30 minutes to a depth of one meter. The LG G Watch will be available in two colors — Black Titan and White Gold — and is constructed of PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coated stainless steel with a rugged silicone wristband in matching color. The LG G Watch can be personalized with any standard 22mm strap available in the market.
The LG G Watch will be available for pre-order on the Google Play Store starting June 25 in 12 countries including key markets such as the United States, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, South Korea and Japan. The LG G Watch will also be available soon after at retailers in 27 markets such as Australia, Brazil, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Russia. Additional details will be announced locally at the time of availability.
Key Specifications:
￭Chipset: Qualcomm®Snapdragon™ 400 processor
￭Display: 1.65-inch LCD IPS (280 x 280)
￭Memory: 4GB eMMC / 512MB RAM
￭Battery: 400mAh
￭Operating System: Android Wear
(compatible with smartphones running Android 4.3 and above)
￭Size: 37.9 x 46.5 x 9.95mm
￭Weight: 63g
￭Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0
￭Sensors: 9-Axis (Gyro / Accelerometer / Compass)
￭Color: White Gold/ Black Titan
￭Others: Dust and Water Resistant (IP67)
So, what do you think of the LG G Watch? Buy or pass?
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