It turns out that Google did steal a bit of LG’s thunder with that teaser about a new LG smartwatch found in press materials for its own event earlier this week. LG today announced the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition, the first Android Wear device to feature cellular connectivity. With the ability to connect via 4G, 3G, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, it can work both with a paired smartphone or autonomously.
Looking very similar to the original LG Watch Urbane, the 2nd Edition also adds a higher resolution 480 by 480 pixel display and a larger battery. It also features three buttons, two more than the original, to provide quick access to shortcut settings such as contacts, LG Health and apps list.
“The wearable sector continues to evolve and we’re playing an active role in that by bringing to market various devices that appeal to various consumers,” said Juno Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “At LG, we don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all wearable device. This second edition of our Watch Urbane aims to be a must-have smart device for active individuals who want to stay connected to the world, whether they’re at work, at home or on the tennis court.”
LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition specifications:
- Processor: 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400
- Operating system: Google Android Wear (Cell-connected Version)
- Cellular connectivity: 4G/3G
- Other connectivity: GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Display: 1.38-inch (480×480, 348ppi) P-OLED
- RAM: 768MB LPDDR3
- Internal storage: 4GB
- External storage: None
- Rear-facing camera: None
- Front-facing camera: None
- Sensors: 9-Axis gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, barometer, PPG (heart rate sensor)
- Battery: 570mAh
- Dimensions: 44.5 × 44.5 × 14.2 millimeters
- Colours: Space Black / Opal Blue / Luxe White / Signature Brown
- Other: Dust and water resistant (IP67 rating)
https://youtu.be/FdRymDRtPJA
While the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition is indeed the first LTE-connected Android Wear smartwatch, it is far from the first smartwatch to offer such functionality. For example, both the Samsung Gear S and Gear S2 3G offer similar functionality but are powered by Tizen. LG itself already offers the webOS-powered LG Watch Urbane LTE.
The LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition will first launch in the U.S. and Korea. Other global markets will follow later. Pricing and specific availability details were not announced today.
Source : LG