First new smartwatch powered by the latest version of Android Wear
LG Electronics (LG) is to begin the global rollout of its premium LG Watch Urbane this week in South Korea.
LG Watch Urbane is the first new smartwatch powered by the latest version of Android Wear, announced this week, which works seamlessly with smartphones running Android 4.3 and above. Some of the features available for the first time on any Android Wear device include Wi-Fi connectivity, always-on apps to keep the display from going dark when running, navigating or even grocery shopping and an improved UX that makes launching favourite apps and getting in touch with friends easier than ever before.
The latest OS allows users to send emojis by drawing them directly on the LG Watch Urbane. They can draw a smiley face, a clock showing a certain time or any other pictures and Android Wear will match the user’s drawing to the closest Unicode emoji for sending to another Android Wear watch, smartphone, or computer.
Other improvements include the ability to change the font size and see notifications even when looking at another function on the display, such as directions. What is more, the screen on the LG Watch Urbane can now be set to lock automatically when it is removed from the wrist.
Included in LG Watch Urbane are two new and useful features not available on other Android Wear devices: LG Call and LG Pulse. LG Call allows the wearer to access recent calls and the favourite contacts list on the connected smartphone to dial out directly from the watch. When connected to a Bluetooth headset, there is no need to remove the phone from one’s pocket to place a call.
LG Pulse takes health monitoring to a whole new level by measuring the wearer’s heart rate every second during exercise with no maximum time limit. At the end of the activity, LG Pulse will report the average heart rate over the entire duration of the activity and display a heart rate graph on LG Health (coming soon).
Said Juno Cho, president and CEO at LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company: “The LG Watch Urbane is the third Android Wear device introduced by LG in the past year which demonstrates our commitment to this platform. More importantly, LG Watch Urbane is a perfect example that Android Wear watches can be functional and beautiful and a useful accessory that complements any wardrobe. No one would mistake LG Watch Urbane for a computer on your wrist.”
While price and additional purchase details will be announced locally at the time of availability, the rollout will be continued in key markets in North America, Europe and Asia in the weeks to come. However, customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, the UK and US will be able to purchase the LG Watch Urbane on Google Store starting this month.
The LG Watch Urbane has a modern design, with a full circle Plastic OLED (P-OLED) display. Showcased at MWC2015, the LG Watch Urbane carries over the 1.3 inch P-OLED display from the LG G Watch R but features a less prominent and lower profile bezel. Its dimensions are smaller overall and thinner, without reducing the size of the display or the battery.
Responding to consumers’ desire for style as well as function, the LG Watch Urbane has a full metal body with a stitched leather strap. The stainless steel body is available in polished rose gold and silver, accentuated further with a narrow bezel that gives the device the sleek lines of a classic timepiece. Additionally, the band can be exchanged with any replacement 22mm leather, silicone or metal strap for convenience and personalisation.
