Dubai
LG’s G Watch, which was unveiled at the developer conference, running on the latest Android Wear will be available in the UAE before September, said a top official.
G Watch is the first device to adopt Google’s new software designed specially for wearables.
“The G Watch is so simple to learn and operate, even for non-tech people. It features a buttonless display with minimalist design,” Duk Young Kim, president of LG Electronics Gulf, told Gulf News.
He said the device will not be available for pre-orders but instead available at all retail outlets before September.
“LG and Google worked very closely to create a truly integrated experience,” Kim said.
LG has not fixed the price for the UAE market, but Kim said that it will only be known just before the launch.
The device is available for pre-order on the Google Play Store starting from June 25 in 12 countries for $229 including key markets such as the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, South Korea and Japan. It will also be available soon in 27 markets such as Australia, Brazil, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Russia.
“Watches powered by the new software aim to show you the right information and suggestions you need, right when you need them,” Sundar Pichai, senior vice-president, Android, Chrome and Apps, said at the developer conference on Wednesday. “It’s been great to work with LG on the launch of the G Watch ― especially given its simple, easy-to-use design,” he said.
According to market researcher Strategic Analytics, global smartwatch sales are expected to grow more than 500 per cent this year from 1.9 million units last year.
Samsung, which also unveiled its Gear Live smartwatch running on Android Wear, is also available for pre-order from June 26.
Both LG and Samsung watches will have square faces compared to Motorola 360’s classic round design. Motorola 360 will be available by end of the year.
Apple has been working on its smartwatch — iWatch — for quite some time but the US company has not revealed more about the watch or its design.
Kim said that the always-on screen makes it easy to tell the time, display messages, controls music playback and displays who are calling via Bluetooth, without taking the phone out from the bag.
LG, which was supposed to launch its Life Band Touch and Heart Rate earphones in the UAE in early second quarter of this year, has delayed the launch.
When asked, Kim said that the delay was due to regulatory issues. The devices are likely to be launched before September.
