The Moto 360 is an excellent smartwatch, even though it’s close to its one-year anniversary. Although when it was first launched, reviews were only mixed, Google and Motorola quickly improved things with software updates and thus made the Moto 360 a must have for any tech enthusiast and early adopter out there. Word about a successor, the Moto 360 2015 got out a few months ago when a Lenovo exec was spotted with a suitcase filled with round watch faces and bands. Since then, rumors have been piling up and expectations have been rising about the Moto 360 and a new version of Android Wear launching alongside it.

According to insiders, rumors, sources and leaks, the Motorola Moto 360 2015 release date is set for IFA Berlin 2015, which is going to be held at the beginning of September, between 4 and 9. That’s the release window that we assume for the new wearable, as well as for new Nexus devices from Google, LG and Huawei. Wearables haven’t yet taken off as much, but Motorola’s device was quite the hit in the genre, especially with Android fans. The design of the Moto 360 was the most impressive part of the entire gadget, and that’s what’s going to be brought over to the new generation of the device.

The Apple Watch pretty much flopped and while the Moto 360 got mixed reviews at first, the cooperation between Motorola and Google for software updates resulted in a greatly improved device that is definitely not a flop this year. The Moto 360 was the device that launched wearables into the limelight, and as such, fans have high expectations of the successor. Whether these expectations will be met or not we will find out at IFA Berlin next month.

With less than a month until the Moto 360 2015 release date left, Motorola and co. are probably rushing to get the device ready for mainstream launch. Our sources tell us that while the design of the device won’t change that much, its features will be greatly improved and its price point will stay largely the same. People familiar with the engineering and manufacturing process of the Moto 360 2015 say that the new device will rival with the likes of the Sony Smart Watch 3 and Samsung Gear S. which means we’re in for quite a few neat features.

First off, insiders say that the Moto 360 2015 will be waterproof, with an IP67 rating, which places it at the top of the wishlist of many people who haven’t gotten into the wearable game just yet. The watch face will stay round and while some expect a fully round face, our sources tell us that we should still see the black bar at the bottom. That bar is a trade-off for the ergonomic and thin design of the device, and those are design elements that the Moto 360 2015 will keep this year.

A new version of Android Wear, possibly one tailored after Android M, will be the power for the whole shabang. According to an analyst who tipped us, the Moto 360 2015 will take advantage of quite a few new features in Android M to offer users a user experience that has never before been seen on a wearable device. While we don’t know which features they mean, we’re definitely interested in what the end result will be.

Besides waterproof certification, the Moto 360 2015 might also come with an extra slot inside, made for a SIM card, which would be magnificent. Having 3G on a watch would be excellent for many wearable enthusiasts who see wearables as a replacement for bulky smartphones that they don’t really use. 3G would also mean that users wouldn’t have to rely on their smartphones to get notifications and access to internet, but Google’s own internet service has also been mentioned with regard to the new Moto 360. How much of these rumors are true remains to be seen, so I would suggest taking them with a grain of salt until official information is released by Motorola and co.

Until the IFA Moto 360 2015 launch, we do hope that some leaks or some official information come to light so that we can get an idea of what to expect from the new device. Although leaks are scarce, insiders seem to be keen on releasing info about what’s to come, so they are what we can rely on for now. We will know for sure what Motorola has prepared for us this year at the IFA convention, where we will hopefully get a some neat Moto 360 2015 hands-on time, too.

Besides these new features, it is said that the Moto 360 battery life will be upgraded, the companies involved trying to outdo Pebble and others whose devices boast with week-long battery lives. The Apple Watch will surely be dethroned (once again), as long as the Moto 360 2015 has a battery life that lasts for a couple of days instead of just one. Wireless charging will stay on the feature list, that’s for sure, but it is said that a new, more powerful pad will also be released. Also, previous wireless charging pads will naturally be compatible with the new Moto 360, which is good news. No elitism here!

The display will also get a small upgrade, with higher resolution and better adaptive brightness controls, but there are also rumors about the Moto 360 2015 replacing its standard panel with an e-ink one, to promote power-saving technology and to appease those who want prolonged battery life and good performance. An e-ink Moto 360 is an interesting concept, and while some might dismiss it, it’s not an entirely stupid idea. What would you like to see in the new Moto 360 2015?