LG Electronics is already preparing to release an updated version of its Android Gear smartwatch, despite the device only being on the market for a couple of months, according to reports.
The consumer electronics giant officially unveiled its first smartwatch, the LG G-Watch, at the Google I/O developer conference in June as part of the release of Google’s Android Wear wearable device operating system.
Despite the device having been on the market for only a couple of months, the Korea Times reports LG is preparing to launch its successor, the G Watch 2, at the IFA trade show in Berlin next month.
The new device will be built with components sourced from a number of LG Group affiliate companies, including AMOLED display maker LG Display, component and materials maker LG Innotek and battery supplier LG Chem.
The G Watch 2 is designed as a competitor to Apple’s widely rumoured smartwatch, which LG executives believe could be launched along with the iPhone 6 in mid-September.
Beyond the G Watch 2, LG has reportedly approached a number of leading watch brands about “strategic collaborations” in a bid to boost the brand recognition of its smartwatches.
Andrew Sadauskas is a former journalist at SmartCompany and a former editor of TechCompany.
