Along with the new V10 smartphone and its second screen and dual front cameras, LG also unveiled the 2nd generation LG Watch Urbane. This one we honestly didn’t see coming, at least going by the trends in Android Wear. But unsatisfied with the status quo, LG brings two things together in its latest smartwatch: the design and the independence of the Watch Urbane LTE and the wider adoption of Android Wear. Yes folks, you have hear the first Android Wear smartwatch to sport its own 3G and 4G connectivity.
It was only recently that Android Wear actually got Wi-Fi independence, so this will be yet another step up for the smartwatch platform. Provided Google adopts the feature, of course. LG’s aim is to offer a smartwatch that can be used even without a smartphone around. In practice, there might be some limits to that as some Android Wear apps do require some communication with an Android smartphone. Still, there is much to be said about being able to make phone calls on the go, even when you forgot your phone, hopefully at home.
The Watch Urbane 2 also steps up its hardware game. Compared to other Android Wear devices in the market today, it boasts of one of the highest screen resolutions, 480×480 crammed in a 1.38-inch full cicular P-OLED display. No flat tires here. That gives it a 348 ppi pixel density compared to the 245 ppi of its predecessor’s 1.3-inch 320×320 screen. The RAM is also the highest in the group with 768 MB, though storage still remains at 4 GB. In terms of battery, the Watch Urbane 2nd edition boasts of a 570 mAh power source, which LG claims is the world’s first hexagon battery, optimized for a smartwatch. That battery is advertised to last 1 and a half to 2 days before needing a recharge.
In terms of design, the body still bares that fine classy appearance, with a brushed metal look on its back, where the heart rate monitor is also located. The watch straps hide the antennae, which probably doesn’t bode well for customization options. Inheriting from the Watch Urbane LTE, it has three physical buttons on the right side for calling up favorite contacts, turning on or off ambient mode, and triggering health functions. Sadly, those buttons are not yet programmable.
The LG Watch Urbane 2nd edition offers a unique feature that also poses a unique question: do we really need a standalone Android Wear smartwatch? LG strongly believes in that vision that it won’t be offering a Wi-Fi only version of the device. At the moment, availability information is slim as LG irons out the details with networks for supporting its new smartwatch.
