Galaxy Gear:
During a recent interview with The Korea Times, Samsung Electronics confirmed that the Galaxy Gear – the tech giant’s first shot at a “smartwatch”– will be officially unveiled on Sept. 4, in Berlin, Germany. The executive vice president of Samsung’s mobile division, Lee Young-Hee, revealed the date of the Galaxy Gear’s official release, which happens to be two days before the 2013 IFA consumer electronics convention.A “wearable concept device” smartwatch aimed at younger buyers
Calling the Galaxy Gear a “wearable concept device”, Lee believes that the device will “enhance and enrich” the way we use and perceive smartphones. Saying that it will pioneer “a new trend in smart mobile communications,” Lee strongly affirms that the smartwatch “will add meaningful momentum to the mobile industry.” Lee also states that the smartwatch won’t have a flexible display.
According to Lee, the product has been in the works for a very long time, and that the Galaxy Gear is aimed primarily at “young trendsetters”. With all of this information, it’s beginning to sound more and more like the Galaxy Gear might be marketed as a fashion accessory for trendy young techies.
Lee also promises that the company has “intellectual properties for patents related to the next wearable devices,” which hints that the Galaxy Gear is only the first in a series of future products from Samsung that are intended to take wearable devices to the next level.
Early reports claim that the the Galaxy Gear is expected to feature a 2.5-inch display, 320 x 320 resolution, a dual core processor, a built-in camera located in the strap, and speakers in the watch’s clasp. In addition to this, the watch will connect with smartphones via Bluetooth 4.0 LE, and will be bundled with an accelerometer that’ll let you switch it on when you move it closer to your eyes.
All this information has resulted in speculation over the Galaxy Gear acting as more of an auxiliary or companion piece for Samsung smartphones and tablets than a standalone unit with the same communication capabilities as other mobile devices. The Samsung executive’s description of the smartwatch seems to lend credence to that theory.
The device is also expected to operate in a manner similar to Apple’s line of gadgets. Sources say that apps for the Galaxy Gear might come exclusively from the Samsung App store. This would most likely encourage people interested in owning the smartwatch to purchase a Samsung tablet or smartphone as well.
Considering that a smartwatch currently isn’t regarded with the same level of must-have urgency or importance as a business phone, laptop, or tablet, this new product might initially prove to be a hard sell. However, the Galaxy Gear’s expected role as an auxiliary device for Galaxy smartphones might be crucial in heightening consumer interest for this product. With the threat of the iWatch looming in the horizon, Samsung seems intent on seizing this market before Apple does.
The Galaxy Tab 3 Kids gives children an early headstart on the tablet bandwagon
Samsung has also announced a kid-friendly version of its popular Galaxy Tab. The Galaxy Tab 3 Kids, a tablet manufactured specifically with children in mind, is scheduled to launch in Korea next month. The tablet will be bundled with a Kid’s store, as well as apps, games, and features oriented towards the younger set.
The Galaxy Tab 3 Kids will also come with features that’ll enable parents to configure the tablet accordingly. Some of these safety controls include a Time Management feature to regulate tablet usage and a password protected lock screen.
A Kids Case for the tablet, featuring a kid-friendly grip and a stand that can be configured in a variety of ways, will also be available for purchase. The case includes an easy-to-grip C Pen, which would function as the equivalent of a stylus for a regular tablet.
The announced specs for the Galaxy Tab 3 Kids are as follows: a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, a 7-inch 1024 x 600 display, a 3.0 megapixel front-facing camera, a 1.3 megapixel rear-facing camera, and 8GB of internal storage, which can be increased to 32GB with a microSD card. Just like the current samples of the Galaxy Gear, the Galaxy Tab 3 Kids will feature the Jelly Bean (4.1) version of the Android OS. The tablet will have WiFi connectivity, as well as Bluetooth 3.0.
After hitting Korea, the tablet is expected to ship to China, Europe, the U.S., Africa, South America and Southeast Asia.
So far, the only color shown for the tablet is yellow. Samsung has yet to reveal how much the Galaxy Tab 3 Kids will retail for, although the price is expected to be below the usual range of $150 – $200 for ordinary tablets. (For more information on product specifications, see the official announcement here.) Expect the tablet to ship to China, Europe, the U.S., Africa, South America and Southeast Asia after its Korean launch.
Author’s Bio:
Michelle Simpson is a professional editor that focuses in the field of technology like RingCentral phone service , business and current trends in the industry.