LG Wristwatch Phone Launching Next Month

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3:41 PM - June 4, 2009 by Jane McEntegart

Everyone went completely nuts over LG’s wristwatch phone at CES and soon, everyone who was marveling at the idea back in January can get their hands on one of these 3G watches.

We weren’t so sure about this idea when we saw it at CES 2008. It was just a concept back then and we thought it was sort of lame. Sure, it would be all Dick Tracy and awesome but there’s a reason some of those gadgets don’t exist in real life--they’re so impractical. Then CES 2009 rolled around and Woo Paik from LG made a call live on stage (on speaker phone so we could all listen) and revealed that the phone/watch would be available in the second half of 2009.

We have to say, at second time around the idea was a lot more appealing. Voice recognition and a Bluetooth headset is on hand to make it easier to place calls/dial numbers/not talk into your wrist. There’s also a Text to Speech feature that reads your text messages back to you so you don’t have to worry about straining your eyes on that tiny screen. That said, there’s nothing to help with the composing of SMS messages, so you’re kind of screwed on that one.

LG today announced that the wristwatch phone will be available in Europe starting next month, with global availability to follow soon after. Nothing official on price but according to PCPro, rumors are putting it at £1,000 off-contract with Orange UK. No word regarding on-contract pricing.

Anybody actually waiting to buy one of these things or does it fall under the “cool but too expensive” category?

Source : Tom's Hardware US

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Hellbound 06/04/2009 10:02 PM
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Cool, but to expensive..

Kill@dor 06/04/2009 10:10 PM
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Wouldn't buy it myself...very cool concept. I think with little time they can evolve to touch screens with speaker, or even bluetooth capabilities in competition. I actually though one of these would have been made years ago, but oh well...

Grims 06/04/2009 10:14 PM
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-11+

Already being a computer person, I can't afford coming across any nerdier.

unlicensedhitman 06/04/2009 10:26 PM
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OMG just like the Mighty Morphin Power Ranger!

grieve 06/04/2009 10:27 PM
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Grims :
Already being a computer person, I can't afford coming across any nerdier.


hehe

Im a tech myself (geek) and this seems pretty cheesy to me even!

Doesnt this bring back memories of the kid you used to beat up who wore the calculator watch in the 80's?

ssddx 06/04/2009 10:27 PM
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This would be a very handy place to store a cell phone, however, it will have to be pretty rugged as you could easily bang it against objects accidentally. Calls would almost certainly have to be made using bluetooth as the idea of speaking to your wrist or having a wrist act as a speakerphone are a tad strange. Since it is a "watch" the battery life would have to be good since most people would expect it to be a phone AND a watch. Most touchscreen phones drain batteries like mad if the screen is left active at all times. Seems to me that this product has the cool factor, but is not very realistic in its application.

batkerson 06/04/2009 10:30 PM
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Despite the "convenience" of a pda/cellphone, it's a real pain to keep track of. So this new "gadget" sounds pretty good to me. . .even so, I won't be an early adopter at that price. How's the battery life? I have a solar powered wristwatch. . .hmmmmmm.

topgun505 06/04/2009 10:51 PM
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--2+

topgun505 06/04/2009 10:51 PM
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If you don't mind carrying it around in your pocket you could carry one of those bluetooth laser-projection keyboards which would solve your SMS-input issue (at least when you are seated somewhere). Obviously that won't help if your on the go, but it's a partial solution.

cadder 06/04/2009 11:13 PM
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You can only text one-handed with it since your other hand can't reach it.

It could have a monochrome LCD screen like contemporary wristwatches which would help with the battery drain.

I look at my Samsung Epix and compare it with the Seiko analog watch I'm wearing right now. The Samsung has a 320x320 display, shrink it down a bit to more closely match the watch and it would be maybe 240x240, which is doable. Rather than touch-screen buttons you could use the tiny little buttons like the Epix has and put just the number buttons beside the screen. It wouldn't quite look like that LG in the photo, but it could fit on your wrist.

But the wrist is not a good place for a phone since you need it at your ear for talking/listening. If you are going to use bluetooth then just put the phone that you have now in your pocket.

anamaniac 06/05/2009 1:05 AM
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I see no reason for this to be so expensive.

I think this would make better for a $50 cheap phone that anyone could afford but lacks any and all features.
I view it as a bottom of the line cheapo, not worth much.

bigjuliefromchicago 06/05/2009 1:10 AM
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Dick Tracy to Go-Go Gomez! Dick Tracy to Go-Go Gomez! Flattop is headed North on Elm!!

Gin Fushicho 06/05/2009 1:57 AM
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I'm buying one ASAP those look awesome and i've always wanted a small phone that doesnt clog my pockets.

jkflipflop98 06/05/2009 3:30 AM
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grieve :
heheIm a tech myself (geek) and this seems pretty cheesy to me even!Doesnt this bring back memories of the kid you used to beat up who wore the calculator watch in the 80's?




Yeah, but I'm all grown up now. I dare you to try to take my watch again. Go for it.

ProDigit80 06/05/2009 6:04 AM
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wouldn't wanna know how to charge it every day!

okibrian 06/05/2009 6:22 AM
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I hate speaker phone and I don't really want to have to hunt for my misplaced headset all the time, so I would say this idea only belongs in the movies. The battery life must suck as well.

TheZander 06/05/2009 8:54 AM
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You know those charging mats they're working on making for portable electronics? They just need to make one of those for this watch. You just set the little mat on your nightstand. Since it's fairly flat, you won't lose much usable space. When you go to bed, take the watch off, set it right there on your nightstand where the charging pad is, and in the morning you're good to go. It would be pretty slick. They're working on making regular phones and PDA's work with these charging pads. Why not this watch/phone?

doomtomb 06/05/2009 10:43 AM
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I don't think people want their phone on their watch. I think this was tried before.

Cryogenic 06/05/2009 12:33 PM
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I'd definitely buy a wrist watch phone, but considering the lack of features I'll wait until it enters the 200$ price range, don't want to pay more for such a device.

cablechewer 06/05/2009 3:56 PM
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I have a habit of forgetting to take my cell phone with me so this would actually be a good device for me (assuming I remember to carry the bluetooth headset :) ). When it comes down to

cablechewer 06/05/2009 3:58 PM
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less than $100 or comes free with a contract I'll consider it.

bin1127 06/06/2009 6:51 AM
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the 1 line lcd would be really hard on the eyes. i'd like to see her search the addressbook. a 1-2" touchscreen would be nice.

Phoghat 06/08/2009 11:43 PM
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These are available on several China and Korea web sites for 1/3 the price

funkjunky 06/09/2009 12:16 PM
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UnlicensedHitman :
OMG just like the Mighty Morphin Power Ranger!


They say Star Trek predicted a lot of technologies that eventually came out... so expect giant robotic dinosaurs called through magical flutes... I'm thinking 2012.

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