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Hands-on: Motorola’s Moto 360 is a chunky but stylish smartwatch

The flash new Motorola Moto 360 smartwatch is designed to be a looker, not just a smartie. We went hands-on with this Android Wear wearable at IFA 2014, here’s our first-look review. 

Motorola started its Moto 360 presentation at IFA 2014 by remarking on how it was built to be a stylish time piece first and foremost. It reckons the Moto 360 is the best looking, most premium smartwatch out there, and after spending some time with this Android Wear wearable, we’re thinking it might be right.

There’s no denying it’s a chunky chappy, with a typically thick body like most other smartwatches. However, the Moto 360’s rounded design is a refreshing change compared with other smartwatches such as the LG G Watch and Sony SmartWatch 3. It’s light too, so you barely feel it on your wrist.

Motorola Moto 360 hands on review and specs at IFA 2014

You get a choice of two models: one with a black face and a black leather strap, or a silver metallic face with a lighter strap. Both models are water and dust resistant, so you can get the watch damp or dusty.

The Moto 360’s screen is edge-to-edge, filling the entire front, and it’s sharp enough to produce clear, good-looking images. While some watches constantly display the time, the Moto 360 turns on when you glance at it, just like Samsung’s Gear 2 – although thankfully theres a wake-up button on the side too, in case the watch is not playing ball. In our brief play, the screen seemed to turn on more often than not when we shifted our wrist to glance at the display.

You get six different watch faces to choose between, including digital and analogue efforts, and the Android Wear OS means that plenty more will be available soon.

Hands-on review with the Motorola Moto 360 smartwatch at IFA 2014 plus UK release date and price

You get the usual Android Wear OS which pops up notifications and Google Now cards when you need them. There’s also pletny of apps supported including turn-by-turn navigation via Google Maps, so you don’t have to glance down at your smartphone when you’re wandering through an unfamiliar city.

Motorola reckons the Moto 360 give a full day of battery life, which to be honest is disappointing. We’d hope for at least two days of use between charges, as we’re already sick of charging our phone every damn day. At night, you’ll need to stick the watch on the bundled charging dock and it’ll charge in two hours. Good luck remembering to take this dock away with you when you head on your holidays.

On the back of the Moto 360 you’ll find a heart rate sensor to support the usual exercise apps, and you can even track your heartbeat over a period of time to get an idea of your general health. Not great news if you love chugging fried chicken and sitting on your arse all day like us.

Hands-on review with the Motorola Moto 360 smartwatch at IFA 2014 plus UK release date and price

But Motorola was keen to point out that the 360 isn’t designed to be an exercise device like the Samsung Gear Fit, but rather a lifestyle device that looks good and gives you all the info you need, when you need it.

The Motorola Moto 360 will set you back 249 euros, or £199 in the UK. It’s available in Blighty on September 14th from Phones4U, Tesco and Amazon. 

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