Google appears set to announce two new flagship smartwatches with LG that'll come with Android Wear 2.0, its most recent smartwatch operating system that's been pushed back to this year.
LG Watch Style Price
Launching next month, Android Wear 2.0 will power up the LG Watch Style, one of two smartwatches Google collaborated with LG. The price point for the former is being passed around as $249, according to a new rumor.
That's from Android Police, who cites a trusted source for the tidbit. If true, then at that price point, the Watch Style is actually fairly cheaper than what smartwatches originally started out with upon release. Conversely, it's still a little steep, and it's not difficult to imagine that the price will shoo potential customers away — it could potentially be a bit higher than what people would be willing to pay, especially for products that are losing steam.
The LG Watch Style's price could shoot up as more add-ons and such are applied, as per the same report. For example, those who prefer to outfit the watch with a different casing or band can do so, and presumably, the price will balloon depending on the quality and material of the customizations to be applied. This is the usual fair with smartwatches, as no single size and configuration is universally appropriate. The Apple Watch, for example, includes many strap options, as most other smartwatches do.
LG Watch Sport Price
There was no word, however, on the price point of the other smartwatch, the LG Watch Sport, although given the fact that it will pack LTE connectivity and NFC technology, it'll most probably retail at a more expensive price. The Watch Sport is expected to cost $100 more than the Watch Style, but this is mere speculation on the report's part.
As always, rumors spawned out of the rumor mill should always be, needless to say, treated with a grain of salt, or two. Until Google itself actually announces it publicly, each rumor, however convincing, should be given ample incredulity.
Purported image leaks of the Watch Style surfaced online recently, showing the smartwatch in question in two colors: Silver and Rose Gold. While the renders are deftly convincing, it's best to simply take Google's or LG's word when they finally give it. The smartwatches are expected to be unveiled at this year's Mobile World Congress, happening late February in Barcelona, Spain.
Android Wear 2.0
Google announced Android Wear 2.0 last year, poised to become a sizable update to its wearable platform. The update was due for launch before 2016 ended, but such a release never happened for unknown reasons. It's speculated that the delay is software-related, although it's also possible that no hardware was ready to support it yet, which defeats the purpose of an official release.
Google promised it'll launch Android Wear 2.0 "next month" upon rolling out the fifth and final Android Wear 2.0 developer preview this week. The LG Watch Style and Watch Sport, as per speculation, should be the first couple of smartwatches to run Google's newest smartwatch OS.
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