SEOUL, KOREA - As the battle continues for Samsung Electronics over patents, innovation, and creativity, the Korean tech giant will introduce a new market battleground for the future. Bloomberg reports that Samsung is set to unveil its Galaxy Gear Smartwatch in two weeks time.
The portable watch has a long history of being in use, yet, it has not been subjected to the same level of innovation as other products. The sole function of telling time had users perfectly content and the device remained the same for centuries. However with mainstream consumers looking for more convenience in both their everyday and digital lifestyles, the wristwatch is now the target for innovation by companies around the world. Samsung has taken its creativity and innovation acquired from developing smartphones and will introduce the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch.
Multiple anonymous sources who are “familiar with Samsung’s plans” claim that the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch will have a camera in the strap, speakers in the clasp, motion sensors, Bluetooth, OLED square display with a 320 x 320p resolution, processor clocked at 1.5GHz, 1GB of RAM, an accelerometer, and more. The screen will support touch, swipe, and select gestures but given the size of the screen, it is hard to imagine it will support any text input.
With the hardware specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch what kind of digital experience can this device bring The Samsung’s smartwatch will probably have similar functions as Nike’s popular Fuel wristband, which monitors distance walked and calories burned during the user’s daily activities. Also, according to Bloomberg, smartwatch will also have touch-screens and may have the ability to make phone calls. But the most interesting operation of the smartwatch will be how it will compliment the Smartphone and how it will integrate with the rest of the consumer’s digital lifestyle.
According to GigaOm, the smartphone and smartwatch connection is said to be very tight, to the point that most actions from the watch will be picked up from the Smartphone. One of the most appealing uses of the smartwatch is likely to be displaying e-mails, text messages, and names of the callers being received by the smartphone without having the need to take the device out of a handbag or pocket.
The availability of applications for the smartwatch might cause some dissatisfaction from its users. In an analysis by Om Malik from GigaOm, he states that applications for this device will not come from the Google Play Store but instead only from the Samsung App Store. This exclusivity might imply that Samsung would like for developers to publish applications from its own platform and it could also imply that a prerequisite in using a Samsung Gear smartwatch would be to own a Samsung Galaxy device.
Samsung Gear smartwatch is not entirely alone in the development of the smartwatch. Bloomberg states that, Samsung’s chief rival, Apple, is also expected to be working on its own version of the smartwatch. However, the Financial Times reports that, Apple is still overcoming some engineering problems and is still hiring staff for the project. This time, instead of Apple making the first strike of innovation, Samsung will jump ahead in the smartwatch game. This could pay dividends for the Korean tech giant if the device is a hit.
Other companies, such as Sony, have been in on the smartwatch market but so far they have not been able to sway mainstream consumers. In 2011, Motorola debuted the MotoACTV sports tracker, which connects to Androids over Bluetooth. It is able to display incoming caller names, text messages and social networking notifications on its screen. Despite Sony and Motorola not being able to reach the majority of the public with their product, Sony will release their second Smart Watch 2 on September 9, reported Mobile & Apps.
The majority of mainstream consumers still remain oblivious to previous smartwatches that have been released. The success of smartwatches might not be measured by its hardware specifications, but whether the device meets a need in our everyday digital lifestyle. How will Samsung differ from companies that have tried to create a new market of smartwatches How will Samsung convince mainstream consumers that their smartwatch is a necessity, even when the majority of consumers seemed to be already content with just their Smartphones
The tech world will closely eye Samsung and Apple as they make their move this September.
<Sources>
1. Jungah Lee (2013, August 17). Samsung Said to Introduce Watch-Like Phone Next Month. Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-16/samsung-said-to-introduce-smartphone-like-wristwatch-next-month.html
2. Om Malik (2013, August 19). What’s inside Samsung’s Galaxy Gear smartwatch Here are some key details. GigaOm.http://gigaom.com/2013/08/19/whats-inside-samsungs-galaxy-gear-smartwatch-here-are-some-key-details/
3. Tim Bradshaw (2013, August 16). Samsung to pip Apple to the post in race to launch a smartwatch. Financial Times. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/36bb5a94-067a-11e3-9bd9-00144feab7de.html
4. Kevin C. Tofel (2012, April 12) I bought a MotoActv for running (but wear it all day). GigaOm. http://gigaom.com/2012/04/12/motoactv-review-health-gadget-tracker/
5. Alexandra Burlacu (2013, July 24) Sony Smartwatch 2 launch confirmed for Sept. 9. Mobile & Apps. http://www.mobilenapps.com/articles/9072/20130724/sony-smartwatch-2-launch-confirmed-sept-9.htm
