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.

 

[edap]

I guess that the Samsung Galaxy Gear is basically an Android device like every other phone out there, except with weaker hardware and no cellular radios? Yes, it runs basic Android, which means apps should work on this device. And with an 800MHz processor and 512MB of RAM, it should run most apps just fine. In testing, it totally works. I'm wondering though if anyone has actually purchased one.

 

[Tom T]

Since it only works with the Galaxy Note 3 for the time being and since it is not being suggested or marketed as a stand alone device I imagine it's adoption rate will be slow. By December it will have compatibility with the SGS4 and Galaxy Note 2 and I will probably take a closer look at it then. Not sure if enough support could be found, especially at the $300 price point, to develop for this as a stand alone Android device.

 

[idontknow]

Just a toy, if one has 300 to spare and I believe one would get bored fast !

 

[Tom T]

Just a toy, if one has 300 to spare and I believe one would get bored fast !

I think you are right there, although some of its functionality could be compelling the question is why do you need a remote control for a phone?

 

[idontknow]

I'm going to pass on this one! Besides I'm still in love with my big note,I don't want anything smaller!

 

[Tom T]

I'm with you there, I am infatuated with my Note, and you were right I find myself using a tablet far less often.

 

[edap]

Isn't the Note also still considered to be a tablet?

 

[Tom T]

In a sense, the term they use is phablet. I say they because I think it sounds kind of goofy. 5.5 inch screen is big enough for many things you would use a tablet for but certainly not all. And Android installs somewhat differently on phones and tablets. For example even though this has the same quad core Exynos processor as my Note 10.1 (although my Note 2 runs at a higher clock speed) and the display is basically the same resolution app. 1200x800 I own Sketchbook pro and it won't install on my 'phone'. Still it is probably the coolest gadget I have ever owned and if I had to I could probably be satisfied with this device as a tablet.

 

[edap]

I'm with you there, I am infatuated with my Note, and you were right I find myself using a tablet far less often.

From your post, I assumed that you were referring to your Big Note, which I'm sure that you'll agree is by all counts still a tablet. As for the difference between a phone and a tablet, that distinction in terms of screen size is quickly disappearing as more phone devices like the Samsung Mega and Sony Ultra are introduced. Are they 'small tablets' or 'big smart phones'? Ah, forget it...

 

[tpaine]

I guess that the Samsung Galaxy Gear is basically an Android device like every other phone out there, except with weaker hardware and no cellular radios? Yes, it runs basic Android, which means apps should work on this device. And with an 800MHz processor and 512MB of RAM, it should run most apps just fine. In testing, it totally works. I'm wondering though if anyone has actually purchased one.

If this was a google device, people would be buzzing. It would be interesting to see an open android version. Depending on what sensors samsung has or adds to this little device, it could be a big hit in the personal health/fitness area.

Look for open, non smasung/apple/google devices to appear in the next year. apple and google devices are sure to show.

 

[idontknow]

When I bought my 5.3 Galaxy note,I thought I was buying a phone but after a year of use, I think of it as a small Tablet.

 

[tablet1425]

amazing smartwatch but too bad its not bendy!​

 

[Tom T]

I noticed Sony just released version 2 of their smartwatch @ $200. No camera but it looks nice.

 

[edap]

The Sony SmartWatch 2 is an intriguing product. It has a 1.6-inch 220×176 pixel transflective display, 3-4 day battery life, NFC, and a metal, water resistant body. It has over 80 apps optimized for it, full compatibility with any smartphone running Android 4.0 or later, and costs a third less than the Galaxy Gear at $199.95 on the Sony online store.