It’s not a tech party until Google jumps into it. Google will innovate and fragment this budding industry just like they did with the smartphone industry. The smartwatch has been all the talk for awhile. Pebble was the first to show that there is a market for the wrist technology. Samsung was the first major tech company to release but its device was expensive and clunky. It has since done a better job with its 2nd offering. Everyone is of course waiting to see what Apple will do with its own smartwatch called wait for it, wait for it…. the iWatch. Until that happens Google is laying the ground work for its Android based Android Wear to dominate the new market. The first product to test the waters with this software will be LG G Watch. The Android Wear watch goes on preorder today in 12 countries. The G Watch will be the first of what Google hopes to be a long line of Android Wear devices. The watch packs a big punch for such a small guy. The watch has a 1.65-inch (280 x 280) IPS display. The LG G Watch has a Snapdragon 400 chip under the hood. That is the same chip found in the Galaxy S4 Mini.
LG made a very big deal about the smart watch’s ability to use voice recognition. The LG G Watch does this thanks to some very tight Google Now integration. Fitness apps will get a boost on the watch thanks to the multitude of sensors installed. There is a nine-axis gyro, accelerometer and compass.There’s a 400mAh battery somewhere under the hood. That battery is a lot bigger than Samsung’s Android Wear device. However, that still only gives the watch a reported 1 day battery. You will be able to run through any Iron Man or Ninja Worrier course thanks to being the watch thanks to it being IP67 dust and water resistant. You have a few choices for the color of the wrist strap and any 22mm strap will work. LG will also be launching its own collection of bands in the near soon. The color of the watch face itself will are Black or White . Full specs, video and press release are below.
SPECS
| OS | Android Wear (Compatible with Android 4.3+) |
|---|---|
| STRAP | 22mm (0.86inch) Changeable Watch Strap |
| SCREEN | 1.65” IPS LCD |
| DIMENSIONS | 37.9×46.5×9.95 mm |
| BATTERY | 400 mAh |
| PROCESSING | Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400 processor with 1.2GHz CPU |
| WIRELESS | BT 4.0 |
| MEMORY | 512 MB / 4 GB |
| PORTS & CONNECTORS | Micro USB on Charging Cradle |
| SENSORS | 9 Axis (Accelerometer/Compass/Gyro) |
[youtube=http://youtu.be/0k3KLjVUzF4]
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)
