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Screenshot by Steven Musil/CNET
LG’s G Watch has only been out for two months, but it appears the smartwatch will soon be getting a face lift.
The South Korean electronics giant is expected to unveil next week a smartwatch refresh called LG G Watch R that features a more elegant round screen, according to a new video hosted on LG’s YouTube channel. The brief video, which was first spotted by Engadget, is light on details but features images of a classic circular watch face and indicates the new smartwatch will be unveiled in Berlin at IFA, Europe’s largest consumer electronics trade show.
In addition to taking its design cues from traditional wrist timepieces, the new LG smartwatch appears to be following the lead of Motorola, which was teased at Google’s I/O developer conference in June. That handset, which is due to be officially launched at an event held in Chicago on September 4, also features a round face and is expected to cost $250 and include a 1.5-inch backlit LCD touch screen.
Launched in June, the original G Watch marked Google’s first foray into the smartwatch arena, a business that has seen a lot of entrants and interest, but few sales. Google is attempting to create a level of consistency with the next wave of smartwatches with its Android Wear operating system — a version of Android customized for wearable products.
CNET has contacted LG for comment and will update this report when we learn more.
