Verizon Wear24 4G LTE connected Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch gets price and release date

Smartwatches haven't taken off as many manufacturers had hoped, and that is probably due to one big issue -- they largely duplicate smartphone functionality while also needing the phone to properly function. In other words, spending money so you don't have to pull your smartphone from your pocket isn't exactly a smart investment. For fitness, however, wearables have definitely found a market.

Luckily, smartwatches with integrated 4G LTE -- so you do not need to carry a smartphone -- may save the day, and Verizon has an attractive model on the way. The previously announced "Wear24" Android 2.0 smartwatch finally has official pricing and a release date, and you won't have to wait too long to buy it. You can use it to make and receive calls or listen to music without needing your phone nearby. How cool is that?

"Wear24 is always connected to your smartphone's phone number, so texts and calls from the watch use that number, even if the smartphone isn't with you. This makes it okay to leave your smartphone in the other room or go out for an errand without it and keep up with all your notifications," says Verizon.

The cellular provider further says, "The Wear24 will come in three stylish colors: Stainless Steel, Gunmetal Black, and Rose Gold. So plan your outfits accordingly. The way we dress for work is typically different than how we dress for the gym, and luckily Wear24 is smart enough to do this on its own. The watch has interactive and unique watch faces that you can customize to fit your needs and automatically change based on your location. Set a modern styled watch face for when you're at the office and a fitness-focused watch face for when you visit the gym."

Keep in mind, Verizon hasn't manufactured the wearable -- it is simply putting its branding on a watch made by a company called "Quanta." Featuring a 1.39-inch AMOLED display and 450 mAh battery it should prove quite useful. It is even IP67-rated, so it won't get ruined if it gets wet.

So, when can you buy this Android 2.0 smartwatch? The Wear24 can be had starting May 11 for $350. You can save $50 by signing a 2-year contact, if you prefer. Best of all, it is compatible with Verizon's new unlimited data scheme, so you can add it to an existing plan for a mere $5 more per month.