Samsung will launch its first smartwatch, the Galaxy Gear, on 4 September at this year’s IFA in Berlin, Germany says Korea Times. This effectively beats Apple to the punch as it (if the rumours pan out) will only release a smartwatch in 2014. Lee Young-hee, exec VP of Samsung’s mobile arm, in an interview with Korea Times, said that the display will be “non-flexible”. This puts to rest the far-flung rumours of bendy screen watches, popularized almost a year ago.
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Lee continues: “We will be introducing a new wearable concept device called Galaxy Gear at our own event in Berlin on Sept. 4. The Gear won’t have a flexible display. The new device will enhance and enrich the current smart mobile experience in many ways. It will lead a new trend in smart mobile communications. We are confident that the Gear will add meaningful momentum to the mobile industry.” We’re not going to warrant a guess as to how the Gear will operate, just as long as it does so flawlessly.
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Lee also drops information on the Galaxy Note III, specifically that it will “make its international debut at IFA”. The Galaxy Note III continues Samsung’s tradition of giving us something that no-one needs: a phone that’s too big to talk on, but too small to call a tablet. Can we ever forgive Samsung for popularising the word “Phablet”? Mouth, bitter taste, you get the idea. Lee says that this “category” of devices will have “enhanced key features.”
Here’s the bad news: according to Lee, the device is aimed at “young trend setters.” So will it be a useless but flashy device, like Sony’s SmartWatch? Let’s pray it doesn’t come to that. Keep your eyes peeled on 4 September. Perhaps Samsung can still surprise us.
Image: Androidspin
