Samsung set to unveil smart watch that makes calls without a paired phone - report
Samsung is said to be working on yet another smart watch model expected to be unveiled this summer --?one that would completely replace a smartphone rather than simply being an accessory to one.
In addition to taking calls, the new stand-alone watch from Samsung is expected to capture pictures, send emails, and include integrated GPS, Bluetooth and even a heart-rate monitor, according to The Wall Street Journal. The rumored device would essentially be a wrist-bound smartphone, which is very different from existing smart watches, which offload battery-draining duties to wirelessly connected smartphones that must be in proximity.
Rather than running Android Wear, Samsung's phone-watch is said to feature the company's proprietary mobile operating system named Tizen. It will host a SIM card for independent connectivity, and is expected to be unveiled between June and July.
The new everything-in-one smart watch would be the fifth style the South Korean company would make currently available on the market. Samsung has employed the same "see-what-sticks" approach in the past, most notably in smartphones and tablets, where it has offered screen sizes in an extremely wide range.
Earlier this year, Samsung unveiled its Tizen-powered Gear 2 smart watches, which moved away from Google's Android. It too has a camera, while the Gear 2 Neo is mostly identical but lacks any picture taking capabilities.
Then there's the Gear Fit, a fitness-oriented wrist-worn device with a curved 1.84-innch Super AMOLED display. And finally, Samsung continues to offer the first-generation Galaxy Gear, which runs a customized version of Google Android.
Both the Gear and Gear 2 lineups offer the ability to place calls and participate in video chat, but those functions require connectivity to a limited range of Galaxy S smartphones to enable those functions while on the go. The Gear Fit does not offer those abilities, but does feature a built-in heart rate monitor.
Samsung's fifth smart watch to hit the market may arrive as hype for an anticipated "iWatch" from Apple could continue to build. The iPhone maker is rumored to be working on their own wrist-worn smart device, but it's not expected to be unveiled until later this year, if it arrives at all.
Samsung is also hoping to upstage Apple's upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference with a health-related event next Wednesday. WWDC will kick off five days later, and it's expected that Apple will introduce new health-related features in iOS 8, the anticipated next-generation version of its mobile operating system for iPhone and iPad.
In addition to taking calls, the new stand-alone watch from Samsung is expected to capture pictures, send emails, and include integrated GPS, Bluetooth and even a heart-rate monitor, according to The Wall Street Journal. The rumored device would essentially be a wrist-bound smartphone, which is very different from existing smart watches, which offload battery-draining duties to wirelessly connected smartphones that must be in proximity.
Rather than running Android Wear, Samsung's phone-watch is said to feature the company's proprietary mobile operating system named Tizen. It will host a SIM card for independent connectivity, and is expected to be unveiled between June and July.
The new everything-in-one smart watch would be the fifth style the South Korean company would make currently available on the market. Samsung has employed the same "see-what-sticks" approach in the past, most notably in smartphones and tablets, where it has offered screen sizes in an extremely wide range.
Earlier this year, Samsung unveiled its Tizen-powered Gear 2 smart watches, which moved away from Google's Android. It too has a camera, while the Gear 2 Neo is mostly identical but lacks any picture taking capabilities.
Then there's the Gear Fit, a fitness-oriented wrist-worn device with a curved 1.84-innch Super AMOLED display. And finally, Samsung continues to offer the first-generation Galaxy Gear, which runs a customized version of Google Android.
Both the Gear and Gear 2 lineups offer the ability to place calls and participate in video chat, but those functions require connectivity to a limited range of Galaxy S smartphones to enable those functions while on the go. The Gear Fit does not offer those abilities, but does feature a built-in heart rate monitor.
Samsung's fifth smart watch to hit the market may arrive as hype for an anticipated "iWatch" from Apple could continue to build. The iPhone maker is rumored to be working on their own wrist-worn smart device, but it's not expected to be unveiled until later this year, if it arrives at all.
Samsung is also hoping to upstage Apple's upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference with a health-related event next Wednesday. WWDC will kick off five days later, and it's expected that Apple will introduce new health-related features in iOS 8, the anticipated next-generation version of its mobile operating system for iPhone and iPad.
Comments
The only question is if the device will be practical, as I suppose you will need a bluetooth headset to actually be able to make calls on the thing.
Their using Tizen in this case is a good idea too. The main reason why most smartphone manufacturers (pretty much all that did not precede Android actually) stick with Android is because smart devices now need app stores to be viable. Since this is a watch, it isn't going to be app-driven ... no word processing productivity apps, not much in the way of social networking apps, and no gaming apps except very simple stuff that works on tiny screens (Candy Crush maybe)?
The only downside: if you get a smart watch, why do you need a smart phone? Even better: if you get a smart watch, you might as well skip the phablet thing and get a 7 inch tablet. But you would sort of want the phone to still work with the tablet even if it doesn't require it.
Puh-leez. Anything to keep their name in the news. BTW, I have a a Superfriends lunchbox / time machine.
And it has a whopping ten minute talk time.
But, the only thing Sammy does well is copying
The iPhone maker is rumored to be working on their own wrist-worn smart device, but it's not expected to be unveiled until later this year, if it arrives at all.
I’m thinking Apple is sitting back watching Samsung flail away at the wearable market and wondering if it’s really worth it. Unless the rumored iWatch is really something revolutionary I don’t see this category taking off.
maybe they see carrier sub as only way to move these units.
I can see the ad now.
"buy SmartGear watch for $0.01* and get another one for free*. For a limited time, we will throw in a free* Galaxy S5 too"
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* - with 2 year contract.
Wrist-bound will be excellent for this smartphonewatch, because you can hold the batteries in your hand. /s.
I'm still not convinced that smart watches are the next big thing. Wasn't it the analysts that decided smart watches were the next big thing? Seriously? Analysts can't even manage their own business let alone dictating what the "next big thing in tech" should be and then punishing any company that doesn't jump on board.
I for one am not sold on a smart watch, I honestly don't think that I want one – at least nothing like we've seen so far anyway.
I'd agree that wearable tech is in our future, I just hope it's nothing like this crap.
I’m thinking Apple is sitting back watching Samsung flail away at the wearable market and wondering if it’s really worth it. Unless the rumored iWatch is really something revolutionary I don’t see this category taking off.
I don't think that's what Apple is doing. I think they know what they want it to do and they're incorporating what's needed into the next version of iOS and MacOS. My guess is the iWatch will be more of a partner to the phone than anything Samsung has offered. Perhaps the watch will be another factor for unlocking the phone. I expect it will be bundle of sensors to feed additional data to the phone and display notifications from the phone. I don't think the primary functions will be things people don't want or need to do. Suppose the watch will also seamlessly interface with MacOS as well and bring cool new functions to the computer? We should get a good idea at the developers conference.
Why would someone buy an expensive watch made out from plastic
1. My arm is sore after 15 seconds of holding my wrist up and torsioning it toward my face. So forget about using this as a phone. 2. My fingers are large, so forget about a touchscreen keyboard on the face of the watch. 3. No voice control because of (1). So this will be an ugly wristwatch masquerading as a phone/txt device. Forget it.
www.zakjob.com
Apple brought in the current mobile computing paradigm - this is what people want. A device that can pretty much replace most of the functions these people thought they needed a full blown computer for. The trend according to all the analysts is that people are moving to larger screened devices specifically because of that.
Where would a watch-phone fit in? No where.
I can just picture people walking around talking to their wrists. Great idea Samsung, not!
I don't see why you would need a watch that is able to make calls or even take pictures. That just sounds a little ridiculous. Plus, how much would service be on a watch like that? I can just see the phone carriers doing something like pay $20 a month and add your Samsung watch to your plan. Stupid idea.