LG pulls Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE from stores due to hardware issue
One week after release, a surprise problem is ending its run
The LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE is a pretty significant smartwatch, as it’s the first to bring cellular connectivity to Android Wear, along with a speaker and calling capabilities. Or rather, it should be, except LG just recalled the device.
The second-gen Watch Urbane – which follows only months after the original – released through AT&T last week, and was about to become available through Verizon as well. However, LG has issued a statement saying that a late hardware issue will prevent its release.
“Late in the quality assurance process for the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE, our engineers were made aware of a hardware issue which affects the day-to-day functionality of the device. After further investigation, the decision was made to cancel the rollout of the Urbane 2nd Edition LTE due to the complicated nature of the issue,” reads a statement provided to Android Police.
“Whether the device will be available in the future will be decided at a later time,” it continues. “For now, our top priority is to ensure that only products that meet our very specific quality standards are available for purchase.”
That’s a huge deal: LG has just canned the full release of a watch that had already hit some stores, with surely thousands of them sitting in warehouses and storerooms this very moment. If the undisclosed hardware issue is as significant as LG says, then those units may well be scrapped at this point. According to 9to5Google, anyone who already grabbed the watch can get a refund.
Whether it’s worth it for LG to reengineer the device for a later release or simply move onto the next watch remains to be seen. We’re super curious to hear what the issue is, because this sudden news doesn’t look so great for Android Wear’s move into standalone, LTE-connected watches.
[Sources: Android Police, 9to5Google]
Andrew Hayward
Freelance Writer 
