After months of delay, Android Wear 2.0 is finally official.
One of the key features of Android Wear 2.0 is the integration of Google Assistant. With Google Assistant on the wrist, you can reply to a message, set reminders or ask for directions by holding the power button or saying "Ok Google". Android Wear apps can also be downloaded directly via the on-watch Google Play Store. Other new features include a new system UI and design, and watch face complications.
The first two smartwatches to be powered by the new OS are the LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style. Both smartwatches are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processors, come with 4GB internal storage space and support wireless charging.
Image source: LG
As the name suggests, the Watch Sport is for consumers who lead athletic lifestyles. Compared to the Watch Style, it comes with more powerful features such as IP68 water/dust resistance, built-in GPS, a photoplethsmogram (PPG) sensor for measuring heart rate, a 1.38-inch P-OLED display (480 x 480 pixels), a 430mAh battery, 768MB RAM, 4G LTE connectivity, NFC, the ability too run apps without being paired to a phone, and a barometer. The Watch Sport is available in titanium and dark blue variants.
Image source: LG
Consumers who are more fashion conscious will prefer the Watch Style. It comes in three different colors (silver, titanium and rose gold) with interchangeable snap-and-swap bands. The Watch Style has a smaller 1.2-inch P-OLED display (360 x 360 pixels), 512MB RAM, a 240mAh battery, IP67 water/dust resistance. As it lacks NFC, the Watch Style does not support Android Pay.
The Watch Sport and Watch Style will be available in the U.S from 10 February with gradual rollout to key markets in Europe and Asia later this month. The Watch Sport is priced at US$349 while the Watch Style is more affordable at US$249.
Source: Android Developer, LG via TechCrunch
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