Samsung have finally launched their long awaited 'Galaxy Gear' smartwatch.
The first real attempt at wearable computing and this is the first generation watch - so it will improve in time.
Bigger than most watches, it's seen as a bit 'chunky' with a flat, rather than curved, screen. Doesn't look too bad though, although it's not a replacement for your phone but an addition to it. You won't have to use your phone so much, but you will need it.
Connected via bluetooth, it has a camera on the wristband and touchscreen. There's a Pedometer which allows you to track your running and it costs 300 us dollars. And it comes with nice colour choices (6) making it 'fashion technology'. Or so they say.
So we'll see. Apple are due to launch theirs, next week.
Samsung have gained first-mover advantage here and it shows they can deliver innovation, quickly and affordably. It will be 'in the shops' at the end of September.
What they can't deliver however, is a name.
Galaxy Gear? Catchy.
The new generation of wearable computing kicks off on September 4th with Samsung's launch of its smartwatch believed to be called 'Galaxy Gear'.
It will make calls, receive calls, email, text, access the web and wait for it, tell the time. It's believed to have a camera integrated into the strap.
Google, Apple and Microsoft are working on versions of their own but the Korean company is first to market - a big first mover advantage and sure to steal the PR inches. It beats Google Glasses to a full launch, another long awaited wearable concept, although out there amongst a select few. The Sony Smartwatch is already out there but hey, who knows about it.
It will run on Android with a small key pad but brings mobile into a new space and will further the growth in mobile applications. It's much easier to wear a watch than carry a phone. Rumoured cost about 250 usd and it'll come in 5 colours.
Interesting times as we move into the wearable generation.
