So far to be able to enjoy all the features of Android Wear
smartwatch, the users must be connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth, or at
least connected to Wi-Fi network. It definitely makes smartwatch feel less
flexible for some people, especially when they accidentally forgetting to bring
their smartphones.
However, Google now has an attractive solution; Google
officially introduces cellular connectivity support for Android Wear. This
support comes in conjunction with the launch of LG Watch Urbane 2 which was
introduced about a month ago.
But unfortunately this cellular connectivity feature
requires an appropriate hardware support, or in other words, you need a new
Android Wear smartwatch that can be inserted with SIM card. And so far, there
is only one smartwatch that's equipped with this capability, i.e. the LG Watch
Urbane 2.
With the cellular connectivity, Android Wear smartwatch will
still be able to activate various features, ranging from chatting to monitor
physical activity, although it's not connected to the smartphone. When not
connected to a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, the smartwatch will automatically activate
cellular connectivity. Of course, this also means that you can receive and make
phone calls from the smartwatch directly.
Certainly other Android Wear smartwatch manufacturers later
will present this feature in their latest iterations. LG Watch Urbane 2 itself
is currently marketed only in the US, while the international market will
follow in the next few months.
The cellular connectivity support can't be interpreted that
smartwatch in the future will replace the role of smartphone entirely. The
small screen size is one of the main reasons why users still need a smartphone
to a variety of other activities, primarily for consuming video content. But at
least the smartwatch role can be expanded with this feature.