Motorola Moto 360 Release Date Approaches, Watch Not Ready For I/O

If audience participation at Wednesday’s Google I/O keynote is any indication, anticipation for Motorola’s Moto 360 is high. When Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) announced both the LG G Watch and previously unannounced Samsung Gear Live would be released today, but only said that the Moto 360 would be released “later this summer,” the crowd responded with a loud chorus of boos.

Google satiated I/O 2014 attendees by offering a choice of either the Gear Live or G Watch for free today, and the Moto 360 upon its eventual release date. Google was not stingy with showing off the Moto 360 at I/O, it was sported on the wrist of vice president of Chrome and Android, Sundar Pichai.

Motorola is the only Android Wear partner to be working with the round form factor, Pichai said. The Moto 360 was also demoed at the event, its black watch face revealing the familiar Google Search box at a touch.

Earlier rumors that alluded to a possible I/O release date for the Moto 360 were proven false. In an earlier piece, we speculated that Motorola would release the Moto 360 alongside its Moto X+1 during a special event in August. This still may be the case, otherwise Motorola may choose to unveil both products together, or hold a separate event for the Moto 360 in July. Unfortunately, it looks as though June will pass without Motorola announcing an official release date for the highly-anticipated, round smartwatch.

Motorola unintentionally revealed details about the Moto 360 that some sites picked up on this week. An FCC filing shows the Moto 360 will support Qi wireless charging. While the watch itself has not yet appeared in any filings, Motorola did submit a wireless charger last month with the model number SPN5845A.

The Qi-compatible wireless charger was demonstrated as capable of charging smartwatches, with none other than the Moto 360 as its model. Motorola, like many manufacturers, has a history of unofficially, and possibly unintentionally, revealing information about the Moto 360 prior to its release.

The Moto 360, which Motorola will release with both a stainless steel band and leather options, appeared on the company’s site showing off the selection of leather watch bands that would be available. Motorola is also preparing a follow-up to its “Google-centric” Android smartphone, the Moto X. Notorious tipster @evleaks revealed in April that the Moto X+1 will feature leather backs as an option in Moto Maker, to match the Moto 360.

Motorola also announced the winner of its Moto 360 "Face Off Challenge" on Wednesday. The winner, who will receive a Moto 360 (with a retail price likely higher than $250), designed a watch face incorporating blue hands on a mostly-black face.