Motorola debuts second-gen Moto 360 smartwatch, first-gen Moto 360 Sport
Motorola on Wednesday introduced two new versions of its Moto 360 smartwatch, including a second-generation flagship device and separate edition specifically for fitness, the Moto 360 Sport.
Unlike its predecessor, the updated flagship 360 will come in two different sizes, 42 and 46 millimeters. The first has a 1.37-inch, 360-by-325-pixel display, while the second scales to 1.56 inches and 360-by-330 pixels. Both Watches are equipped with 1.2-gigahertz quad-core processors, 512 megabytes of RAM, and 4 gigabytes of onboard storage.
The 42-millimeter model should last up to one and a half days on a single charge, while the 46-millimeter one can last up to two days.
Image Credit: Engadget
The watch is also launching with a wide variety of case, bezel, and band options for men and women. Men's cases are available in silver, black, or gold, for instance, with chamfered or "micro-knurl" bezels, and bands in one of three metal colors or two leather ones.
Though still based on Google's Android Wear -- which now has limited iPhone compatibility -- one unique Motorola software feature is "Live Dial" faces, allowing people to open apps or use their features without scrolling through menus.
The new Moto 360 should ship later in September, starting at a cost of $299, and can be preordered today.
Still partly shrouded in secrecy is the Moto 360 Sport. The device uses a 42-millimeter display, but features silicone exterior materials in order to make it more resilient against heat and sweat. It also has built-in GPS for tracking running and walking without a smartphone.
New screen illumination technology dubbed AnyLight should make the device easier to use outdoors. Although in many cases the watch relies on regular LCD backlighting, under intense conditions, the Sport can automatically flip to natural front lighting to make text more legible.
Pricing and a release date for the Sport have yet to be announced.
Unlike its predecessor, the updated flagship 360 will come in two different sizes, 42 and 46 millimeters. The first has a 1.37-inch, 360-by-325-pixel display, while the second scales to 1.56 inches and 360-by-330 pixels. Both Watches are equipped with 1.2-gigahertz quad-core processors, 512 megabytes of RAM, and 4 gigabytes of onboard storage.
The 42-millimeter model should last up to one and a half days on a single charge, while the 46-millimeter one can last up to two days.
Image Credit: Engadget
The watch is also launching with a wide variety of case, bezel, and band options for men and women. Men's cases are available in silver, black, or gold, for instance, with chamfered or "micro-knurl" bezels, and bands in one of three metal colors or two leather ones.
Though still based on Google's Android Wear -- which now has limited iPhone compatibility -- one unique Motorola software feature is "Live Dial" faces, allowing people to open apps or use their features without scrolling through menus.
The new Moto 360 should ship later in September, starting at a cost of $299, and can be preordered today.
Still partly shrouded in secrecy is the Moto 360 Sport. The device uses a 42-millimeter display, but features silicone exterior materials in order to make it more resilient against heat and sweat. It also has built-in GPS for tracking running and walking without a smartphone.
New screen illumination technology dubbed AnyLight should make the device easier to use outdoors. Although in many cases the watch relies on regular LCD backlighting, under intense conditions, the Sport can automatically flip to natural front lighting to make text more legible.
Pricing and a release date for the Sport have yet to be announced.
Comments
"Flagship" is the new "bespoke"
Quad core processor in a watch? Once again proving that Android devices are all about the spec race.
I don't know about that. I think it looks quite nice. Too thick, but overall a good effort. Round face is timeless. The Apple Watch's rounded corner chicklet form factor already feels dated to me. That said, I'm still not seeing anything in the smart watch space that compels me to buy.
And who is Motorola copying? I mean, they did have a smart watch on the market long before Apple...
They hide the flat tire extremely well in those deliberate product shots.
Like Apple invented that.
I don't know about that. I think it looks quite nice. Too thick, but overall a good effort. Round face is timeless. The Apple Watch's rounded corner chicklet form factor already feels dated to me. That said, I'm still not seeing anything in the smart watch space that compels me to buy.
And who is Motorola copying? I mean, they did have a smart watch on the market long before Apple...
Loving your round computer screen? TV?
Timeless indeed.
Here is what I notice with the 360 I played with at Bestbuy, the watch was extremely warm when on the charging stand. The reason this is an issue is the fact heat is bad for the battery which means they the battery will degrade over time. Android and Motorola have not fixed their issue of running to hot especially when the units are charging. Even when the Apple watch is charging it hardly gets warm, and once it fully charge and still connected to the charge the watch is not even warm to the touch.
I think anyone who buys the Motorola Watch will find their battery dying in a year time. Also you now have to have two version if you happen to be a person who is active. I wear my Apple Watch when I am dressed up as well as when i go to the gym. the watch fits in both places.
Round face is timeless.
..for a watch.
These aren't watches anymore than an iPhone is a "phone". Round works well for a device that's mainly a circular dial - that's why most watches are round.
There's a reason almost all content is presented in a rectangular layout... It's more efficient use of two-dimensional space.
Yes, round watches look nicer, because thats what we're used to seeing... But functionality wise, it's a horrible form factor.
Seriously, that's your defense? Two objects that came into existence long after round watches? Doesn't that reinforce the timelessness of the round watch face and the utter soullessness of an Apple Watch, which, incidentally matches the shape of the front of a CRT? How modern!
Ain't it cool? This really made me smile.
Loving your round computer screen? TV?
Timeless indeed.
Were you trying to make a point? If so, try a little harder next time. There's no connection between computer and TV screen shape and watch shape. That's just silly. The vast majority of watches and clocks have been round for...forever. The square shape has been tried many times by many watch makers and while square watches are available on the market, they aren't particularly popular. How often do you see a square watch on someone's wrist? Round is classic and timeless. Apple's Watch design is not. Sorry. Might be a great product, but it looks quite pedestrian compared to a nice high-end round watch face.
All these Android Wear watches look much better in PR photos than IRL, especially on someone's wrist.
..for a watch.
These aren't watches anymore than an iPhone is a "phone". Round works well for a device that's mainly a circular dial - that's why most watches are round.
There's a reason almost all content is presented in a rectangular layout... It's more efficient use of two-dimensional space.
Yes, round watches look nicer, because thats what we're used to seeing... But functionality wise, it's a horrible form factor.
No argument on the benefit of a square/rectangular screen over round in terms of functionality. That said, these ARE watches. You wear them on your wrist. Sure, they can do a lot more, but you're still wearing a watch. Many watch makers offer square watches, but how often do you see someone wearing a square watch? They just don't look as nice. I'm very impressed by the Apple Watch from a tech standpoint, but I think the design is weak. It looks cheap and part of that is the square chicklet gum form factor.
if you think the 360 looks better than the Watch...damb
We have the judge, jury, and executioner when it comes to style right here, folks!!
Loving your round computer screen? TV?
Timeless indeed.
Your computer and TV are meant for extended viewing of data/images. Traditional wrist watches and smartwatches are meant for quick glances at information. If you're spending more than a 5 or ten seconds interacting with the screen on your Apple Watch at a time, you're doing it wrong.
..for a watch.
These aren't watches anymore than an iPhone is a "phone". Round works well for a device that's mainly a circular dial - that's why most watches are round.
There's a reason almost all content is presented in a rectangular layout... It's more efficient use of two-dimensional space.
Yes, round watches look nicer, because thats what we're used to seeing... But functionality wise, it's a horrible form factor.
Horrible form-factor for quickly glancing at the time or a notification or your heart rates, or the progress on your workout? Hardly. When I get a notification on my watch, I lift my wrist, see what it is, then go about my business. If it's something really important that requires my immediate attention, I pull out my iPhone. I personally don't view a smartwatch as something that I spend a long amount of time looking at during the day. Maybe you're different in your usage patterns.
I see the Apple Watch as 60% fashion and 40% useful tool that lets me keep my iPhone in my pocket more. If some people prefer the more rounded look for their primarily fashion-based device, then more power to 'em. But this constant bashing of something for being "different" is really getting old.
Seriously, that's your defense? Two objects that came into existence long after round watches? Doesn't that reinforce the timelessness of the round watch face and the utter soullessness of an Apple Watch, which, incidentally matches the shape of the front of a CRT? How modern!
Kool Aid drinkers are never particularly good at logic.