Pre-orders for LG’s G Watch with Android Wear go live ahead of Google I/O

We’ve known LG has been working on a smartwatch powered by Google’s Android Wear operating system for some time – the G Watch was announced back in March alongside Android Wear and we got a very early first look at a non-functioning prototype earlier in the year. With Google I/O set to kick off later today we’re expecting to hear a few more details about Android Wear and the devices that will use it, but it seems one retailer has jumped the gun and given us price and availability details before LG could give the go-ahead.

For a few hours earlier today, Mobilefun.co.uk was listing both the Stealth Black and Champagne Gold versions of the G Watch as available for pre-order, hours before Google I/O actually begins. Anyone that managed to put down £180 upfront before the listings were removed could have secured their wearable for delivery on the 7th of July, although as LG has yet to confirm an exact release date we’ll just have to wait and see whether this is indeed the actual day the watch will go on sale. The company’s US website also had listings for both watches, with prices starting at $254.99.

According to the listing, the G Watch has an always-on rectangular display, rather than the circular one being used by Motorola for the Moto 360, and it will indeed be powered by Android Wear. It will be voice-activated, using the “OK Google” key phrase to activate features, pair to a smartphone using Bluetooth, use a water- and dust-resistant chassis and support downloadable apps to customise the watch to suit individual tastes.

Other specifications remain a mystery, with the latest rumours suggesting the watch will be powered by a surprisingly powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor.

Google I/O is due to kick off in just a few hours, and the G Watch is expected to play a major part during the Android Wear portion of the keynote speech. Hopefully we’ll learn official prices and availablility then, as well as those all-important specs.