Samsung is working on a smart watch, the company has confirmed, even as speculation mounts that a wrist-based gadget will be Apple's next endeavour.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Samsung mobile's executive vice president Lee Young Hee is quoted as saying, "We've been preparing the watch product for so long."
"We are working very hard to get ready for it," the smart phone big cheese reportedly opined. "We are preparing products for the future, and the watch is definitely one of them."
Samsung's wearable gadget is rumoured to be bear the 'Altius' codename, while leaked screenshots suggest it'll have a squarish interface with Windows Phone-esque tiles showing you different apps and functions.
Big-time rival Apple is reportedly working on a watch as well, though the famously secretive company has kept schtum on the subject. Apple's gadget is rumoured to feature curved glass, though nothing about this mythical device is known for sure.
One problem any fancy watch would face is battery life. Nobody wants to charge a watch up every night, and unless you want to unlock the device every time you use it, the screen will need to be on constantly, which could cause battery drain.
A smart watch could avoid this pitfall by using an e-ink screen, like Kickstarter's Pebble watch. E-ink only uses power when it changes the display, so should last a lot longer than a normal, glowing screen.
Would you buy a Samsung Galaxy Watch? Or are normal watches doing a perfectly good job already?
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Comments 11
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anonymous 19 March, 2013 10:08
What's the big deal? Sony has had a smart watch for over a year.
http://www.sonymobile.com/gb/products/accessories/smartwatch/
anonymous 19 March, 2013 10:11
Would you buy a Samsung Galaxy Watch? Or are normal watches doing a perfectly good job already?
It might tell you the time but its not really a watch is it?
anonymous 19 March, 2013 10:37
People keep mentioning the Sony watch as if it matters. It doesn't. Samsung and Apple will create the market for them to become popular, if they are done right. Hang your head in shame for putting up links to a defunct piece of tech no one wanted.
anonymous 19 March, 2013 10:56
After releasing the so called next big thing S4, I can see Samsung is so desperate to be innovative, lol...
Damien2501 19 March, 2013 11:30
Smart watches are at best feature phone technology put into a watch. The thing Samsung & Apple will do is market it as the next big trend. They will also bring developers to the industry, which will lead to more features & apps for smart watches. Sony will benefit from this because it has a clear presence in the industry.
It’ll be interesting to know whether Samsung’s smart watch will run Android or – Tizen.
anonymous 19 March, 2013 11:33
@anonymous 10:56
So the same as Apple then? You have in one swoop taken a swipe at the S4 and iPhone5, good work!
anonymous 19 March, 2013 12:02
im just bought a new sony smart watch now samsung n apple want to came out a smart watch hurm...
anonymous 19 March, 2013 12:34
Umm, everyone seems to be forgetting that the latest iteration of smartwatch design seems to rely entirely on the phone being attached, thereby limiting it's usefulness. The fitness watches by Nike and Motorole are the best for their purpose, but in no way is a smartwatch from Sony, Apple or Samsung ever going to replace my Kinetic watch on my wrist.
I never want to look at my wrist and wonder how much battery-life I have left or have to turn the screen on to tell the time. Neither do I want to remove it to go swimming or surfing or want to swipe here there and everywhere to use the chronometer where a single press will do it for me.
It's simply my opinion and everyones is different, but a smartwatch is not for me, and I would bet that a few others have the same opinion.
jopov123 19 March, 2013 13:02
The question is Why? Is this a case of a 'gadget too far'?
Damien2501 19 March, 2013 14:10
I agree Anonymous 12:34 and Jopov123 but the same questions were said about the original iPad & Galaxy Note. Apple & Samsung are good at making things more acceptable to use.
anonymous 22 March, 2013 07:25
I love a gadget, but I'll stick with my automatic 14k huginun from the 60's.
I dunno, I just think it'll be a touch classier than a modern Casio calculator watch. (Although as a 12 year old that was an absolute champion of a watch to own!)