X

A deeper dive with the LG G Watch (pictures)

We take a closer look at the LG G Watch, which Google showcased yesterday at its annual developer's conference in San Francisco.

Jason Parker
Jason Parker has been at CNET for nearly 15 years. He is the senior editor in charge of iOS software and has become an expert reviewer of the software that runs on each new Apple device. He now spends most of his time covering Apple iOS releases and third-party apps.
Lynn La Senior Editor / Reviews - Phones
Lynn La covers mobile reviews and news. She previously wrote for The Sacramento Bee, Macworld and The Global Post.
Jason Parker
Lynn La
lg-g-watch-nda-0993-004.jpg
1 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

LG gets into Android Wear with the G Watch

Announced at Google I/O 2014 and available for preorder today, the LG G Watch is one of the first smartwatches to run on Google's new Android-based smartwatch OS, Android Wear.

lg-g-watch-nda-0997-005.jpg
2 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Charging up for juice

Five pins on the back of the G Watch line up with the pins in its charging base, which connects to a Micro-USB cable.

lg-g-watch-android-wear-1.jpg
3 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Sizing it up

The G Watch weighs a slight 0.13 pounds (63 grams) and is 38mm long, 47mm wide, and a sliver under 10mm thick.

lg-g-watch-nda-0961-003.jpg
4 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Additional features inside

The watch is also equipped with Bluetooth 4.0, a gyrometer, accelerometer, and a built-in compass.

lg-g-watch-android-wear-1.jpg
5 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

A few millimeters thick

Here you can get a better view of the thickness of the G Watch: just 9.95mm, to be precise.

lg-g-watch-android-wear-1.jpg
6 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Switching bands for style

The G Watch comes in two colors (white gold and black), but its bands can be interchanged with standard watch bands.

lg-g-watch-android-wear-1.jpg
7 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Convenient text notifications

Just like your phone vibrates in your pocket when you have a text, the LG G Watch will vibrate and show the latest message so you don't need to take out your phone.

lg-g-watch-nda-1010-007.jpg
8 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Follow these steps

For the active user, the smartwatch can also collect data on how many steps you've taken in the day.

lg-g-watch-nda-0934-001.jpg
9 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

In comparison for size

The LG G Watch (far left) next to some typical time pieces.

lg-g-watch-nda-1007-006.jpg
10 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Only with Android 4.3 and later

The device is compatible with handsets running Android 4.3 or later.

lg-g-watch-android-wear-1.jpg
11 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Google Now notifications

The G Watch will also display Google Now cards so you can check things like the weather easily. Another swipe on the weather screen will bring up a weekly forecast.

lg-g-watch-android-wear-1.jpg
12 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

400mAh battery inside

The G Watch is powered by a 400mAh battery, which has a claimed standby time of about 36 hours.

lg-g-watch-android-wear-1.jpg
13 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

"OK, Google"

When you want to perform a search, find nearby locations, or get directions, just say, "OK, Google" to your G Watch and speak your query. As you can see in this screen, if it doesn't register, you can try again.

lg-g-watch-android-wear-1.jpg
14 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

No buttons whatsoever

The G Watch has no external buttons, instead relying on touch and voice to activate this wearable gadget's many features.

lg-g-watch-nda-0939-002.jpg
15 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Old meets new

Another look at the G Watch (right) next to an analog watch.

lg-g-watch-nda-1020-009.jpg
16 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Where are we?

As mentioned before, the device has a built-in compass for navigation.

lg-g-watch-android-wear-1.jpg
17 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Powering its internals

The powerhouse of the smartwatch is a Snapdragon 400 processor from Qualcomm. You charge its 400mAh battery by clipping it into a stand -- the juice flows over those five pins on the back.

lg-g-watch-android-wear-1.jpg
18 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

A fashion accessory?

Some people worry smartwatches will be too bulky for everyday use. Here, an LG representative wears the G Watch. Those with smaller wrists will certainly have a different experience.

lg-g-watch-android-wear-1.jpg
19 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

1.5-inch screen

The 1.5-inch LCD touchscreen has a 280x280-pixel resolution.

lg-g-watch-nda-1026-010.jpg
20 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Voice command included too

Because it supports voice command, you can also record voice memos or activate commands. Simply say, "OK, Google, set an alarm for 7 a.m.," and your watch's alarm will start blaring at the appropriate time the following day.

lg-g-watch-nda-1018-008.jpg
21 of 21 Josh Miller/CNET

Availability and pricing

The G Watch is available for $229 in the US, £159 in the UK and AU$249 in Australia. You can preorder now from the Google Play Store in all three countries and it ships out July 3.

Other Android Wear watches shown off at I/O include the Samsung Gear Live, and the Moto 360 by Motorola.

Click here for more of CNET's coverage of Google I/O 2014.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos