Orange watch phone goes on sale August 27

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Orange watch phone goes on sale August 27

20 August 2009 18 views One Comment

Gadget fans will be able to get their hands on the £500 LG watch phone when it goes on sale next Thursday.

The device, which measures just 1.5in square, allows users to tap out text messages using its scratch-resistant touch-screen display, and has a built-in speaker to make and receive calls.

The watch phone, which is made by Korean firm LG, will be available exclusively on the Orange network in the UK, and the handcrafted gadget will cost £500. It will be sold through Orange’s Bond Street shop in London, on a first-come, first-served basis, with further watches available online from the Orange store in mid-September.

The device runs on the 3G mobile phone network, enabling users to brows the web, make video calls and even check their emails on their phone, as well as use it to listen to music.

“The LG touch-screen watch phone is one of several ‘future phones’ we’re bringing to UK consumers this year,” said Francois Mahieu, director of devices for Orange. “Being handmade, the device really is highly original and exclusively limited, so you’ll be the envy of all your friends if you’re fortunate enough to get your hands on one.”

The launch of the watch phone marks a change of focus for Orange, which is seeking to secure exclusive deals on cutting-edge devices in order to compete more closely with Apple’s iPhone and other forthcoming handsets, like the Palm Pre.

Rival phone maker Samsung also plans to launch a mobile phone wrist watch later this year, and its device, the S9110, will cost around €450 (£390) when it goes on sale in France.

“It’s clear that LG has worked really hard on making this watch phone easy to use,” said Kat Hannaford, news editor for gadget magazine T3. “But the high price means it’s unlikely to be in many people’s stockings this Christmas.”

Gadget fans can pre-order the device at www.orange.co.uk/watchphone. (Via Telegraph)