LG G Watch R rolls into Australia today

LG G Watch R
A well rounded offer?

The smartwatch revolution in Australia is coming full circle, with LG announcing that the G Watch R originally announced at IFA 2014 is available from today.

The smartwatch, which boasts a circular screen like the Moto 360 – but without the black bar across the bottom of the screen – will be available on both the Google Play store, as well as through traditional retailers Harvey Norman and JB HiFi.

And from the telco perspective, Optus is also offering the G Watch R, although not via any bundles like we saw when LG launched the original G Watch.

Almost a dollar a degree

The price, for anyone looking to rock the 1.3-inch circular P-OLED display with a 320 x 320 resolution, comes in at just under a dollar per degree, at $359.

The device will be ever so slightly cheaper via the Play store at $349, but you'll need to add shipping to the cost, which will likely make it a tad more expensive.

Packed full of additional sensors compared to the original G Watch – including a heart rate monitor, a compass and a barometer – it will be interesting to see whether the G Watch R will push the Android Wear platform towards a mainstream customer base.

Having spent the past decade editing some of Australia's leading technology publications, Nick's passion for the latest gadgetry is matched only by his love of watching Australia beat England in the rugby.