The limited smartwatch selection available on the Google Store just got even more limited, as the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) was just bumped off the store.
Smartwatch sales have been on the decline and as the novelty is starting to wear off, it seems that Google is trying to adjust. The company's smartwatch platform, Android Wear, has fared particularly bad in the past few months, so Google is trimming the lineup of smartwatches it sells on the Google Store.
The number of smartwatches available through the Google Store has gradually been shrinking and the latest gadget to get the boot is the second-generation Moto 360, which has been quietly removed.
Google Store Smartwatches
With the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) now out of the picture, the Google Store is left with only four smartwatch models still on sale: the sports-focused Polar M600, the Michael Kors Access Dylan, the Michael Kors Access Bradshaw, and the Nixon Mission.
While it may be disappointing for some to see the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) off the Google Store, that doesn't mean the smartwatch is off the market altogether. Interested customers can still purchase the second-generation Moto 360 smartwatch from retailers such as Amazon, albeit available stock might not last for very long.
For those unfamiliar with the smartwatch, the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) launched back in 2015 as an attractive and high-end wearable, sporting the same sleek and classic design that made its predecessor stand out from the crowd. At a time when smartwatches were just starting to gain ground and most of them were bulky and rectangular, Motorola launched its original Moto 360 (1st Gen) with a classic circular design that made it to the second generation as well.
However, Motorola announced last month that it was taking a break from wearables for now, which means that the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) won't be getting a successor anytime soon.
On the bright side, the second-generation Moto 360, unlike the original model, is set to get an update to the upcoming Android Wear 2.0. Google is expected to release the new version of its wearable OS next month and it should pack a number of exciting new features and functionality.
Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Features And Perks
The second-generation Moto 360 plays nice with Android smartphones running Android 4.3 or higher, or iPhone 5 or later models running iOS 8.2 or higher. The smartwatch features an optical heart rate monitor, an ambient light sensor, Wi-Fi connectivity, IP67 dust and water resistance, and lasts for up to 1.5 days of mixed use. The smartwatch also sports wireless charging support.
Other specs include a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor clocked at 1.2 GHz, 512 MB of RAM, and 4 GB of native storage. The smaller model has a 1.37-inch display and a 300 mAh battery, while the larger version has a 1.56-inch display and a 400 mAh battery.
Google has yet to offer any comment regarding its decision to remove the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) from its store, but it's safe to assume it won't be re-adding it.
