New Android Wear Smartwatches Can Go Online Without Needing Your Smartphone

Google is finally adding cellular connectivity to Android Wear, its operating software for smartwatches and wearables, in a move that could reduce a user’s dependence on their phone.

Android Wear already supports Bluetooth and Wifi connections, but now wearables will be able to plug right into the mobile grid to take calls, send/receive SMS, get search results and other internet-connected tasks without needing to pair with a smartphone or be connected to Wifi. So, as Google said in its announcement, now you can “try leaving your phone behind” when you head for a run or run errands — though we don’t endorse this if you are doing more complicated tasks on the go.

This update will come into effect with future Android Wear smartwatches, starting with LG’s new Urbane 2nd Edition LTE. The LG watch is on sale in the U.S. right now, via AT&T and Verizon. It’s slated to become available to international customers over “the coming months.”

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