Google has introduced cellular connectivity to its Android Wear platform.
The update means Android Wear-based smartwatches can now send and receive calls and messages without needing to have a paired smartphone nearby.
Compatible devices will be able to automatically switch to a mobile data connection when out of range of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, Google said on its official Android blog.
Wi-Fi support was integrated into Android Wear in April this year.
Google also introduced iOS compatibility to the platform in September in an attempt to win iPhone users put off by the Apple Watch’s high asking price.
The first Android Wear watch with cellular support is the LG Watch Urbane LTE Second Edition.
LG’s new device features a 480 x 480 P-OLED display and built-in heart rate monitor and is the successor to the LG G Watch Urbane, introduced at this year’s Mobile World Congress.
Peter Ludwig, Product Manager of Android Wear, said: “As long as your watch and phone are connected to a cellular network, you’ll be able to use your watch to send and receive messages, track fitness, get answers from Google, and run your favourite apps.”