Motorola's 'iWatch'-competing Moto 360 smart watch launches today
Beating Apple to the smart watch finish line, Motorola is today launching its Moto 360 smart watch: a 1.65-inch Android Wear-powered device that promises users a number of impressive features.
Retailing for $249 from Motorola’s website, the Google Play store, and Best Buy later today, the Moto 360 features a Gorilla Glass-equipped scratch resistant display, “all day” battery life, a built-in pedometer and heart monitor, a leather watch strap, and support for wireless charging.
It also promises water resistance and can connect up to any Android 4.3-powered smartphone. Once hooked up, users can enjoy all the benefits Android Wear has to offer: these include at-the-wrist notifications, Google Now, “Okay Google” support, and more.
Of course, for iOS fans like ourselves, the launch of Motorola’s Moto 360 is significant since it comes a mere few days ahead of Apple’s upcoming Sept. 9 event. Here, Cupertino is expected to unveil a new iPhone handset, although the once-anticipated 2014 “iWatch” launch has reportedly been pushed back to 2015, according to multiple sources.
Apple nevertheless has something “extraordinary” planned for next week, however whether a smart watch is among Cupertino’s upcoming product releases remains to be seen – for now, at least.
As mentioned, the Moto 360 goes on sale today for $250. An all-metal version is also set to launch “this fall,” and once available it’ll retail for $300.
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