The first high-end Android Wear device - LG Watch Urbane

[Lloydbm41]

Info, data and full specs to be released next month at MWC. Set to release around the same time as the Apple Watch. Looks nicer than the LG G Watch R. Link is here: http://www.lgnewsroom.com/newsroom/contents/64948

Specs:
Chipset: 1.2GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400
Operating System: Android Wear™
Display: 1.3-inch P-OLED Display (320 x 320, 245ppi)
Size: 45.5 x 52.2 x 10.9mm
Memory: 4GB eMMC/ 512MB LPDDR2
Battery: 410mAh
Sensors: 9-Axis (Gyro / Accelerometer / Compass) / Barometer / PPG (Heart Rate Sensor)
Colors: Gold / Brushed Aluminum Silver
Other: Dust and Water Resistant (IP67)

 

[Lloydbm41]

Another image on a person:

 

[Shanghaichica]

This is a man's watch!

The only ones that have interested me as a female are the gear/gear 2' gear S and of course the Apple watch in terms of asthetics.

 

[Lloydbm41]

This is a man's watch!

The only ones that have interested me as a female are the gear/gear 2' gear S and of course the Apple watch in terms of asthetics.

True. The  Watch has been designed for women and the more feminine slanted type of person. I prefer a man's watch, so the  Watch is not an option.

 

[kdarling]

This is a man's watch!

Supposedly the hot style these days, is for women to wear larger men's watches.

Here's more images of the Urbane, btw:

The only ones that have interested me as a female are the gear/gear 2' gear S and of course the Apple watch in terms of aesthetics.

Also makes sense. We're all individuals. That's why smartwatches need to be available in many choices of size and materials.

--

Now if only the makers would support more than one phone OS.

I can't believe the number of news articles on the web about this watch that end with, "LG is going head to head with Apple", when that would only be true if people actually had a choice between the watches no matter what phone they owned.

Do Apple / Samsung / LG actually believe that any significant number of people will switch phones just to get the watch accessory? I'd say rather that they would be smarter to sell their accessory to more people. Thoughts?

 

[tbayrgs]

Now if only the makers would support more than one phone OS.

I can't believe the number of news articles on the web about this watch that end with, "LG is going head to head with Apple", when that would only be true if people actually had a choice between the watches no matter what phone they owned.

Do Apple / Samsung / LG actually believe that any significant number of people will switch phones just to get the watch accessory? I'd say rather that they would be smarter to sell their accessory to more people. Thoughts?

Apple is already coming from a position of smartphone dominance (notice I said smartphone, not OS). They don't need people to switch platforms for their watch to be a success, just convince enough of their existing customers that the watch is a worthwhile purchase. If 10% of their smartphone customers from last quarter bought Apple Watches, that's approximately 7-8 millions sales.

The problem LG, Samsung, Asus, HTC, etc, all have is not only are they competing with Apple, they are also competing with each other for the same piece of the Android Wear pie. To give these OEMs a fighting chance Google should've made Android Wear cross platform compatible. Unfortunately, I think making devices cross platform compatible also often neuters their functionality due to the differences in each OS. For example, I'm using a Microsoft Band, which is cross platform compatible, and like it for the most part. Once annoyance though is that there is no notification syncing, meaning if I clear notifications on my iPhone, they don't clear on the watch and I then have to manually clear them again on the Band, and vice-versa. I also can't use the voice functionality as it only works with Cortana. It's limitations like these that generally mean cross platform doesn't work as well.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Apple is already coming from a position of smartphone dominance (notice I said smartphone, not OS). They don't need people to switch platforms for their watch to be a success, just convince enough of their existing customers that the watch is a worthwhile purchase. If 10% of their smartphone customers from last quarter bought Apple Watches, that's approximately 7-8 millions sales.

The problem LG, Samsung, Asus, HTC, etc, all have is not only are they competing with Apple, they are also competing with each other for the same piece of the Android Wear pie. To give these OEMs a fighting chance Google should've made Android Wear cross platform compatible. Unfortunately, I think making devices cross platform compatible also often neuters their functionality due to the differences in each OS. For example, I'm using a Microsoft Band, which is cross platform compatible, and like it for the most part. Once annoyance though is that there is no notification syncing, meaning if I clear notifications on my iPhone, they don't clear on the watch and I then have to manually clear them again on the Band, and vice-versa. I also can't use the voice functionality as it only works with Cortana. It's limitations like these that generally mean cross platform doesn't work as well.

Having lusted after a pebble, and been underwhelmed with it, I'm not too sure I'll be jumping into any 'smart watch' again for a while.

Right now, there are too many, and to many have idiosyncrasies that will be deal killers.

I *can* see having a 'watch' that also shows texts/etc from my 6+, because sometimes it's hard to 'quick draw' the thing out of whatever piece of couture I'm flogging at the moment.

Second time I dropped it was trying to 'quick draw' it out of a suit coat. I nearly needed CPR.

EDIT: For the record, I am currently flogging an Apple Watch Original Series. Love it. Have had some issues, but for the most part, it works well. This is after having a Garmin fenix 3, and not waiting for the fenix 3 HR version, which I can see replacing the Apple Watch, because 'Garmin', but for no other reason. I bike a lot, and exercise like a hamster on speed, so the better integration with the Garmin ecosystem I currently support would be nice. (Hint Tim Cook)

 

[nfl46]

I must have the gold one! Love the design!

 

[Lloydbm41]

Having lusted after a pebble, and been underwhelmed with it, I'm not too sure I'll be jumping into any 'smart watch' again for a while.

Right now, there are too many, and to many have idiosyncrasies that will be deal killers.

I *can* see having a 'watch' that also shows texts/etc from my 6+, because sometimes it's hard to 'quick draw' the thing out of whatever piece of couture I'm flogging at the moment.

Second time I dropped it was trying to 'quick draw' it out of a suit coat. I nearly needed CPR.

Martian Notifier. It is what I use and enjoy the fact that it is a real watch first and adds on smartwatch capability with a small oled screen and 6 days of battery life.

 

[mel823]

Looks good. Well done LG, well done. But I'll be sticking with my Timex.

 

[kdarling]

Apple is already coming from a position of smartphone dominance (notice I said smartphone, not OS).

Android smartphones are being sold at the rate of a billion a year.

Even if 3/4 of those buyers had no spare income for a watch, the other 1/4 would equal Apple's market base.

They don't need people to switch platforms for their watch to be a success, just convince enough of their existing customers that the watch is a worthwhile purchase. If 10% of their smartphone customers from last quarter bought Apple Watches, that's approximately 7-8 millions sales.

People said the same thing before Apple made the iPod work with PCs. They said the same thing before Apple made a larger screen iPhone.

There's ALWAYS room for more buyers.

The problem LG, Samsung, Asus, HTC, etc, all have is not only are they competing with Apple, they are also competing with each other for the same piece of the Android Wear pie.

They're not competing with Apple over watches. Not yet, anyway.

To give these OEMs a fighting chance Google should've made Android Wear cross platform compatible.

Yes, I think that would've been smart.

Unfortunately, I think making devices cross platform compatible also often neuters their functionality due to the differences in each OS.

That, and the way Apple acts like Microsoft used to, and keeps some APIs only for themselves.

Martian Notifier. It is what I use and enjoy the fact that it is a real watch first and adds on smartwatch capability with a small oled screen and 6 days of battery life.

Agreed. I love my Martian Notifier because it's a watch first and multi-day notification platform second. It's been so handy getting alerted to calls in a room separate from my phone, in fact, that I'm getting a Martian Victory as an upgrade. Similar round face, same separate two-year watch, same five day notifications between charges... PLUS the ability to take or make a call via built-in speakerphone.

 

[JackieInCo]

This is a man's watch!

The only ones that have interested me as a female are the gear/gear 2' gear S and of course the Apple watch in terms of asthetics.

Same. I'm about to order a gear s watch from T-Mobile.

 

[tbayrgs]

Android smartphones are being sold at the rate of a billion a year.

Even if 3/4 of those buyers had no spare income for a watch, the other 1/4 would equal Apple's market base

But you and I both know the overwhelming majority of those sales are lower level devices bought for a fraction of the cost of a smart watch. Presently, a smart watch is a luxury item, something very few find as a necessity and even fewer willing to spend hundreds of dollars for. Your estimate of 3/4 is FAR to generous. Android Wear OEMs should hope for 1%. Last year really wasn't the gangbuster year I'm sure Google was hoping for. If my math is correct, that's less than a 1/10 of a percent.

There's a reason why iOS versions of apps usually far outsell their Android counterparts (see Monument Valley)---Apple customers are willing to spend more money. Those same customers are far more likely to splurge for this type of device.

I'm not disagreeing with your point that it would be great if wearables were cross-platform compatible. I just think at this point Apple has a far greater chance of substantial success without going that route, and that if Android Wear wanted to make an serious inroads immediately, being cross-platform compatible would help.

People said the same thing before Apple made the iPod work with PCs. They said the same thing before Apple made a larger screen iPhone.

There's ALWAYS room for more buyers.

Well, the marketshare for Apple customers, especially those using Macs was far less than it is today, so yes, Apple needed a bigger pool of customers back then. The number of iPhone customers now is far less trivial.

They're not competing with Apple over watches. Not yet, anyway.

Sure they are. How many potential smart watch or wearable buyers are holding off until the Apple Watch is available and they can see it and use it first-hand? The previously linked to article concerning Android Wear sales seems to substantiate this.

 

[aneftp]

I'd avoid paying "full price" for any Smartwatch.

I got the "original" LG G watch back in July 2014 when it was $230 but I got it for $115 with purchase of LG G3 phone.

Tech is changing so fast with these watches. I still wear the G watch and it serves it's function.

But don't pay full price for these android watches.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Sure they are. How many potential smart watch or wearable buyers are holding off until the Apple Watch is available and they can see it and use it first-hand? The previously linked to article concerning Android Wear sales seems to substantiate this.

No 'potential' smartwatch buyers that use Android phones are waiting for the  Watch. It is a useless item to them. How many iPhone users are holding off for an Android Wear watch? None. It is useless to them. How many iPhone 6/6+ users surveyed are planning to buy an  Watch? Roughly 11% of them. 'Assuming' every single one of them hold true to their word, that would be 8 million in sales for the quarter. 'Realistically' probably 1-2% will actually buy the watch and only a very, very small percentage will spend the money on the gold version. I still stick with my estimate of 10 million for the first year. After that, the  market will be saturated and sales will decline like the iPad/iPod and ATV have.

Additionally, your Android Wear comment was only indicative of 1 quarter of sales and supplies of watches like the Moto 360 were hard to come by in the beginning. Let's wait and see how sales look for this year.

 

[NT1440]

Anyone else confused as to why the industry foolishly markets specs for their watches? Talk about missing the point.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Anyone else confused as to why the industry foolishly markets specs for their watches? Talk about missing the point.

and what would you prefer they do?

 

[tbayrgs]

No 'potential' smartwatch buyers that use Android phones are waiting for the  Watch.

More than you think. Of course it's anecdotal but just today I paid for coffee at Starbucks using my Microsoft Band (yes, I'm one of those guys but it's actually handy since I use an 6+ and nice leaving it in my pocket or in the car) and two of the workers thought it cool and immediately commented they can't wait to see the Apple Watch. One stated she was holding off on using her phone upgrade because if she liked the watch she was switching to an iPhone.

How many iPhone users are holding off for an Android Wear watch? None.

Won't disagree with you there.

How many iPhone 6/6+ users surveyed are planning to buy an  Watch? Roughly 11% of them. 'Assuming' every single one of them hold true to their word, that would be 8 million in sales for the quarter. 'Realistically' probably 1-2% will actually buy the watch and only a very, very small percentage will spend the money on the gold version. I still stick with my estimate of 10 million for the first year. After that, the  market will be saturated and sales will decline like the iPad/iPod and ATV have.

So you think that everyone wants an Apple Watch will get one in year one and they'll never sell more than that annually? I seriously doubt it. Yes, the iPad sales plateaued but it took more than a year. And the Apple TV stagnated because it hasn't been updated in 3 years. Care to wager how many more they'd sell this year with a massive update as expected?

Regardless, I'd still wager with anyone that the Apple Watch will outsell all Android Wear devices combined in 2015. I'm not saying that the Apple Watch will necessarily be an unqualified success, just that Android Wear OEMs have greater obstacles to overcome initially. At some point, AW will likely far outsell any Apple wearables as is the case with smartphones. But Apple doesn't need to keep up to be successful.

Additionally, your Android Wear comment was only indicative of 1 quarter of sales and supplies of watches like the Moto 360 were hard to come by in the beginning. Let's wait and see how sales look for this year.

Well, was actually 6 months but yes only roughly 3-4 months for the 360. Regardless, not exactly a huge start but you're right, any judgement should be withheld until we've seen a good solid year of availability.

And as I've derailed this thread entirely, I apologize and will attempt to steer it back on topic.

As I was a fan of the first LG G Watch R design, I find this as a nice upscale evolution of the design--would definitely put this at the top of the list if I was in the market for and Android Wear device.

 

[Sensamic]

To be considered high end it would need GPS and 3G connectivity. Does it have it?

 

[Natzoo]

Was this the one that unbox therapy did? The watch looks nice

 

[tbayrgs]

To be considered high end it would need GPS and 3G connectivity. Does it have it?

No and No. It appears to be basically a G Watch R with an upscale exterior body.

 

[Liquorpuki]

No clue how much this is supposed to cost but I think the market is eventually gonna dictate a cap on the price of smartwatches

A Rolex might be timeless but the electronic guts in smartwatches become outdated quick and their value should drop accordingly

It's like people who goldplate their iPhone. Once that next gen iPhone comes out, all that $$$ spent on the previous gen becomes nothing more than stuntin

 

[mrex]

Looks nice, something i could consider after sw2 (metal).

 

[kdarling]

The first high-end Android Wear device - LG Watch Urban

Note: the name is Urbane, not Urban.

Urban = city, town

Urbane = suave, refined, fashionable, elegant, polished, sophisticated

 

[kdarling]

In case you missed this in the main news forum: