LG launches first 4G smartwatch running WebOS

This Thursday, the LG presented the awaited SmartWatch, LG Watch Urbane LTE, its first smart watch to feature a high-speed 4G connection. What stands out most about this wearable is the fact that it does not contain Google's well-known operating system, Android Wear OS. The system to be launched is the LG Wearable Platform, which is a new version of the almost extinct, WebOS. The company also includes this system in its new line of Smart TV's announced for this year.

Who doesn't know or doesn't remember, the WebOS was initially developed by the company Palm, former manufacturer of PDAs (or personal digital assistants), and sold to HP. In 2013, the system was purchased by the Korean LG, in order to create a proprietary system to be used in its line of smart products. The WebOS, like Samsung's Tizen, is part of a move by some manufacturers to gain independence from Google's operating system.

The system has come a curious path so far. Its creation took place, originally, to work in the products of the Palm, just before the first smartphones began to appear and the company closed its activities. In 2010, the company was sold to HP for the sum of 1.2 billion dollars (approximately 3.42 billion reais at today's price).

After being abandoned by Hewlett-Packard, the system was transformed into a platform open source (or open software, from English). when the LG took over the project, initially the company planned to insert it only in its Smart TV's. Now we see that plans are changing.

The intention of LG is not necessarily a break with Google, an example of this was the launch of LG Watch Urbane, version without 4G mobile connection, which still makes use of the A.

Not enough information has yet been released about the WebOS, so that it could be compared against Android Wear. For this, the system is expected to be launched during the Mobile World Congress (MWC), which will take place in Barcelona from the 2nd to the 5th of March in Spain. Showmetech will be present at the event to cover.

With the launch of the Apple Watch, it remains unclear which system will predominate in this platform war.

As much as Urbane and G Watch R, Urban LTE will own Plastic-OLED of 1.3 inches, which will always be on in “ambient mode”. Will use the same Qualcomm processor Snapdragon 400 1.2GHz e 4 GB from memory. The battery will have 700 mAh, offering autonomy of several days in standby.

a sensor NFC, included in the watch, can be used to make payments and perform other special functions. The watch will be available in gold and silver colors.

Source: Cnet