Motorola's Moto 360 smartwatch just had its price slashed by $100 for good this time. It has also received the Android Wear 5.1.1 update at last. These developments surely make the smartwatch a more appealing purchase but a report says the Moto 360 2 may be introduced soon.
"As can be seen on both Motorola and Google's websites, the smartwatch is now starting at $100 less than it was yesterday - as low as $150," 9to5 Google said.
The original Moto 360 can be purchased at the said price point at the Google Store. Additionally, a souped up version can also be bought from Moto Maker for a premium. Online retail giant Amazon is also selling the smartwatch at a similar price point.
According to the website, the reduced price makes the Moto 360 more affordable than the LG watch Urbane, considered as the flagship Android Wear device.
The price drop may also be a hint that the Moto 360 2 release date is looming.
"The fact that Motorola, Google and Amazon are now shifting the device at the new lower price point suggests that an upgraded model [might not] be too far away," Phone Arena said.
Rumors suggest the second-gen Motorola smartwatch, codenamed Smelt, is being updated with a higher resolution display.
But that's no reason to write off the original Moto 360 just yet. Apart from a price drop, the smartwatch has reportedly received the Android 5.1.1 update at last.
Google Developer Advocate Wayne Piekarski said that the latest Android Wear version will roll out via an OTA (over-the-air) update via his Google+ account.
"This update brings a handful of new features, such as Always-on apps, media browsing, Wi-Fi connectivity, emoji input and gesture support for UI navigation," according to Tech Times.
Always-on allows apps to display updated information while drawing as little power as possible. Media browsing allows users to browse songs directly on the smartwatch while emoji input brings up the appropriate emoji after users draw it on the watch's face.
Android Wear 5.1.1 allows the Moto 360 to automatically connect to a Wi-Fi network after losing its Bluetooth link to a smartphone. Finally, gesture support allows browsing apps and contacts by swiping left or right.
For now though, a Moto 360 2 release date has not been announced.
