Samsung Officially Unveils Galaxy Gear Smartwatch

[dgstorm]

Just as previously rumored, Samsung launched the Galaxy Gear smartwatch at their IFA Unpacked press event. Here's what we know:

• Receive and make calls on the Galaxy Gear without ever taking phone out of pocket - Can call with S Voice "voice commands"
• 1.63-inch OLED touch display (320 x 320 pixels)
• 800MHz processor
• 4GB of storage
• 512MB of RAM
• Accelerometer
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Android 4.3
• Smart Delay - allows you to connect to your other Galaxy devices
• 1.9 megapixel camera - Memographer - outward facing camera to quick swipe a picture - Also works with Augmented Reality
• Runs specifically designed apps that can be find on the Gear App Store
• 315mAh battery - more than a day on one charge

The Galaxy Gear will only be compatible with the Galaxy Note 3 and the new Galaxy Note 10.1 Tablet at launch, but support or the SGS3 and SGS4 and other Galaxy Note devices will come later. It comes in six different colors, and will launch on September 25th globally. It will initially sell in the United States for $299.

For more discussions regarding the Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch, we have created a section in the forums. You can find it here: Galaxy Gear

Here's the full press release,

Samsung Introduces GALAXY Gear, a Wearable Device to Enhance the Freedom of Mobile Communications

Samsung GALAXY experience is now extended through GALAXY Gear

Berlin, Germany – September 4, 2013 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today introduced the GALAXY Gear, a perfect companion device that further integrates the Samsung GALAXY experience into everyday life. Samsung GALAXY Gear combines smart device connectivity, tailored technological features, and stylish design as a single premium accessory.

“Samsung’s ongoing smart device innovation leadership reflects our commitment to listen to our consumers, who want their daily lives to be easier and more enjoyable. Samsung GALAXY Gear benefits consumers by integrating smart device technology even deeper into their everyday lives, and bridges the gap between the mobile device and fashion worlds to create truly wearable technology,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. “Samsung GALAXY Gear frees users from the need to constantly check their smart devices while maintaining connections. It provides what we call ‘smart freedom,’ by allowing users to choose how, why, when and where they are connected.”Experience new mobile communications freedoms

Samsung GALAXY Gear lets users to live in the moment while staying connected to their Samsung GALAXY devices. It notifies users of incoming messages, such as calls, texts, emails and alerts, delivers a preview of those messages and creates the opportunity for users to accept or discreetly ignore those messages. When an incoming message requires more than a quick glance, users can simply pick up their Samsung GALAXY devices and the Smart Relay feature will instantly reveal the full content on the screen.

Voice operation

The built-in speaker allows users to conduct hands-free calls directly from the Gear, maintaining connections to their mobile communications without disrupting their daily routines. For example, a user leaving the grocery store, whose hands are full with shopping bags, could still make a call by speaking into the GALAXY Gear without touching the screen. Users can also draft messages, create new calendar entries, set alarms, and check the weather on the GALAXY Gear with S Voice.

Capture daily life from your wrist

In addition to enabling smart device controls, Samsung GALAXY Gear introduces several features that help users easily capture life’s meaningful moments which otherwise might be missed. With the Memographer feature, a 1.9 Megapixel camera, users who are on the move or participating in physical activities can record both photos and video to create quick, visual records of important information or events from their daily lives, as well as share them on their social networks. Extending the quick-record concept, Voice Memo lets users capture important thoughts or conversations from their wrists and save those voice recordings into texts on their Samsung GALAXY devices.

A growing list of controls for favorite features

With the GALAXY Gear, users gain a wide range of favorite features that further increase the benefits of this new accessory. New security enhancement Auto Lock automatically secures the companion smartphone screen any time that GALAXY Gear is more than 1.5 meters away from the smartphone, and then unlocks the smartphone when the companion devices are near each other again. Find My Device helps users find the location of their smart devices when they have been misplaced by making them beep, illuminate and vibrate. With Samsung GALAXY Gear, users can also control the music played on their Samsung GALAXY devices. As with traditional music players, it helps users browse, play and pause songs even when their smart device is not within reach. Finally, the GALAXY Gear also works like a Pedometer to track physical activity via enhanced, built-in sensor technology. This feature systematically and automatically monitors users so they can track key personal data such as calories burned, steps taken and distance covered.

Standalone Watch and Iconic Fashion Accessory

Samsung GALAXY Gear embodies understated elegance. Its refined design, executed in, high-quality finishes, conjures images of luxury jewelry while still being understated enough to go well with any outfit. A rounded and simple flowing form wraps around the body, integrating with the user’s personal environment, and maintaining comfort at all times. The GALAXY Gear also serves as a wristwatch and includes several face options that create the opportunity for users to personalize their watch face. It will come preloaded with 10 different clock options and more choices will be downloadable via Samsung Apps. The GALAXY Gear experience can be further personalized by selecting from six colors that will be available at launch: Jet Black, Mocha Gray, Wild Orange, Oatmeal Beige, Rose Gold, and Lime Green.

Samsung GALAXY Gear will be launched with the GALAXY Note 3 in more than 140 countries around the world starting from September 25.

Samsung GALAXY Gear will be on display at the Samsung booth # 20 at IFA 2013, September 6 through September 11, 2013. Full details and product images are available at Samsung Mobile Press or m.samsungmobilepress.com.

 

[johnomaz]

Not really sold on it. Maybe I don't have a busy enough life for it to be necessary for me to have one. The nerd in me wants one because it screams "nerd toy", but ya...

 

[bkdodger]

Expensive blue tooth...I'm sure

N2 tap'd HD

 

[delcopa]

Ouch on the price! All the other ones are way before like the kreyos for example.
That is what my note 3 came out as on launch don't think I'll buy a watch for the same price our more then the actual phones being released.

 

[cybertec69]

So what is the purpose of this smartwatch.

 

[bkdodger]

No watch here ..passing ...phone def ..

N2 tap'd HD

 

[bkdodger]

Btw audience was horrible ..lol they need to move locations

N2 tap'd HD

 

[xsylus]

At least we've finally reached the point where they can make the technology and electronics small enough to make the watch a reasonable size instead of looking like a convict's ankle monitor.

 

[Dusty]

I've been using the Sony smartwatch(1) for a few months now, and I like how it's a simple supplement to my phone. A smartwatch to me is useful when it just delivers short pieces of data that require only a glance like, scores, texts, tweets, weather alerts, etc. You feel it vibrate, you look at your wrist, and decide whether to get your phone out or keep doing what you're doing. Using the watch in that way feels completely natural and I'm sold on smartwatches.

Watches have ALWAYS been just for short sips of data. That's the nature of a watch... You glance, digest, move on... that's it. I read the comments online and I just don't know what "magic" feature people are expecting from smartwatches. They're simply a convenience item for your smartphone, and you're either down with that or not. I just don't think their existence is so unreasonable, like some people make them sound.

Personally, I don't need a heart monitor, wifi, camera, personal radar, camera sight, etc. I just need a second unobtrusive complementary screen that tells time and relays discrete pieces of data. Design-wise, all I ask is that they don't look like a cheap toy... the rubber non-replaceable band and proprietary software on the Samsung watch killed it for me. No thanks Sammy.

I'm picking up the Sony SW2 when it comes out in a week or two.

 

[cybertec69]

I've been using the Sony smartwatch(1) for a few months now, and I like how it's a simple supplement to my phone. A smartwatch to me is useful when it just delivers short pieces of data that require only a glance like, scores, texts, tweets, weather alerts, etc. You feel it vibrate, you look at your wrist, and decide whether to get your phone out or keep doing what you're doing. Using the watch in that way feels completely natural and I'm sold on smartwatches.

Watches have ALWAYS been just for short sips of data. That's the nature of a watch... You glance, digest, move on... that's it. I read the comments online and I just don't know what "magic" feature people are expecting from smartwatches. They're simply a convenience item for your smartphone, and you're either down with that or not. I just don't think their existence is so unreasonable, like some people make them sound.

Personally, I don't need a heart monitor, wifi, camera, personal radar, camera sight, etc. I just need a second unobtrusive complementary screen that tells time and relays discrete pieces of data. Design-wise, all I ask is that they don't look like a cheap toy... the rubber non-replaceable band and proprietary software on the Samsung watch killed it for me. No thanks Sammy.

I'm picking up the Sony SW2 when it comes out in a week or two.

In reality you don't need it, you need food, water and shelter, those are the things you need.



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[eryck22]

300 Clams!!! Yikes!, I think they just priced themselves out. I can't see myself spending 300 on the watch and spend another 300 honey on the Note 3, I don't have that kind of scratch, not sure many of the average consumers do. If they want to hit the masses they need to make the watch more affordable to the average consumer.

 

[Dusty]

In reality you don't need it, you need food, water and shelter, those are the things you need.

Geez... Thanks, Maslow.

The "need" depends on the desired goal. I don't need a smartwatch to live, but I do need air, food, and shelter. I don't "need" air, food, or shelter to quickly consume a packet of data the way I'd like to, but I do "need" a smartwatch.

 

[cybertec69]

Geez... Thanks, Maslow.

The "need" depends on the desired goal. I don't need a smartwatch to live, but I do need air, food, and shelter. I don't "need" air, food, or shelter to quickly consume a packet of data the way I'd like to, but I do "need" a smartwatch.

LOL

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[droid_mike]

So what is the purpose of this smartwatch.

When you are home and your phone is in the charger, you can be anywhere in the house and still answer the phone Dick Tracy style. Me likey!!!! I'm in!

Oh, wait... it only works with the new Note? Well, forget it... I'm out. I'm not getting a new phone for awhile... Damn... I was looking forward to a watch like this. Hopefully, google will come up with something good soon.

 

[FoxKat]

When you are home and your phone is in the charger, you can be anywhere in the house and still answer the phone Dick Tracy style. Me likey!!!! I'm in!

Only within the range of Bluetooth (33 feet max), I'm guessing...unless it uses its own wireless protocol.



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