It seems that LG is poised to release a new smartwatch after a Federal Communications Commission certification leak. The information is quite sketchy as the full documentation has not been made available but LG fans should be pleased to know that it revealed at least two new things.
LG Smartwatch Surfaces At FCC
The document contains several screenshots of the actual display of the wearable referred to only as a portable wrist device. The very obvious takeaway from the images is that it is likely going to be round. Glimpses of the interface also depict LG's use of rounded icons.
Secondly, the new LG smartwatch will be shipping Android Wear 2.0 right out of the box. This is indicated in the screen grab of the Settings panel.
Other sources were able to parse the available documentation so far with help from previous rumors and leaks. For instance, DroidLife has cited that the leaked FCC document identified three different devices being tested: LG-W280, LG-W280A, and LG-W280V. The report noted that these are mere variants rather than three different models.
The differences in the naming convention could only indicate what carrier a device is headed to. The LG-W280A might be headed to AT&T while the LG-W280V will be for Verizon. The LG-W280 is purportedly a Wi-Fi only device.
The inclusion of these carriers as depicted in the smartwatches' names should mean that it will really support LTE connectivity.
LG And Smartwatch Growth
The recent LG smartwatch leak is also aligned with a previous Google announcement that two Android Wear 2.0 devices will be released in the early part of 2017. These have been identified only as Swordfish and Angelfish. If this is really the case, then we have already seen it based on the image posted by noted mobile tipster Evan Blass on his Twitter account.
Google's two smartwatches will be released with Android Wear 2.0 in Q1 2017 [image courtesy of: https://t.co/so8uJyEZCy] pic.twitter.com/ruejqXSNSy
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) October 13, 2016
According to 9to5Google, it appears that LG's wearable is Angelfish on account of its cellular capabilities. It also noted that the ZNFW280, which is FCC's label for the smartwatch, is related to the LG Watch Urbane range. The smartwatch's latest iteration is called ZNFW200V, a second-generation LTE capable device.
Aside from the LG smartwatch getting tested at FCC, there are also rumors that three other wearable devices are being developed by the South Korean company. Whatever the case is, LG seems fully supportive of Google's attempt to revive the fledgling smartwatch industry, which analysts predict to sustain sluggish and even declining growth this year.
