Just as it was rumored Wednesday that Apple will introduce the iWatch on September 9 along with the iPhone 6 (instead of later in the fall, as originally thought), Samsung and LG quickly responded with announcements of their own. Samsung showed the first smartwatch that can make calls directly from the watch, without linking to a separate smartphone.
Its new Gear S includes a built-in 3G modem for direct calls, but it can also link to a faster phone when in range. Due for release in October, it has a 2-inch AMOLED screen, dual core 1GHz processor and heart rate and motion sensors plus GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth with a 2-day battery life. It pairs with a phone for music and you can listen through earbuds connected to the watch. No pricing was announced.
LG revealed its next G Watch, called the G Watch R, which will have a round face and run Google’s OS for smart watches, Android Wear (think Google Now on your wrist). It will be water and dust resistant with fitness features and sensors including motion sensors, barometer for temperature sensing and heart rate monitor. It’s due in the fourth quarter at a price to be announced.
Source: Reuters, Engadget, BusinessInsider
Top photo: Samsung Gear S via Engadget
