Samsung unveils Gear IconX wireless earbuds with health tracking functions
As part of continued efforts to break into the health and fitness market, Samsung on Thursday added two new products to its wearable device lineup, including a pair of wireless earbuds capable of monitoring a user's heart rate.
Borrowing more than a little inspiration from a device marketed by audio startup Bragi, Samsung's Gear IconX are being touted as the first truly wireless headphone offering from major manufacturer, reports The Verge. Whereas products like Beats' Powerbeats 2 often have a cable connecting left and right driver units, ferrying power and audio signals between the two, IconX is totally wire free.
With a wireless communications suite and 4GB of flash memory, users have the option of streaming music from their smartphone or playing preloaded tunes saved to onboard storage.
Battery life is an obvious compromise for IconX, which can stream music for only about 1.5 hours before needing a recharge from the included pill-shaped case. Samsung claims users can eke out 3.5 hours listening to tracks stored on-device, a far cry from competing products able to last upwards of six hours per charge.
Of course the IconX does much more than current offerings. Not content with creating a simple wireless listening device, Samsung stuffed in a wealth of health monitoring hardware to keep track of user heart rate, steps taken, distance traveled, speed and calories burned.
Notably, IconX acts as a standalone fitness device, meaning it can process and store fitness data internally without need for a tethered smartphone. The information is later offloaded to Samsung's S Health app, a data repository similar in function to Apple's Health app for iOS.
Like the Bragi Dash, IconX boasts a touchpad for controlling system settings via swipe and tap gestures. Instead of visual cues, Samsung relies on a so-called "Voice Guide" to provide feedback on workout progress, as well as confirmations for user actions like music playback, volume adjustment and mode selection.
Samsung expects IconX to ship in the third quarter for $199. Initial compatibility will be limited to devices running Android.
In other news, Samsung today released an updated version of its Gear Fit2 smartwatch featuring a 1.5-inch curved AMOLED display, 4GB of storage, embedded GPS module and heart rate monitor. The usual assortment of motion sensors are also included for fitness tracking. Gear Fit2 launches in stores on June 10.
Borrowing more than a little inspiration from a device marketed by audio startup Bragi, Samsung's Gear IconX are being touted as the first truly wireless headphone offering from major manufacturer, reports The Verge. Whereas products like Beats' Powerbeats 2 often have a cable connecting left and right driver units, ferrying power and audio signals between the two, IconX is totally wire free.
With a wireless communications suite and 4GB of flash memory, users have the option of streaming music from their smartphone or playing preloaded tunes saved to onboard storage.
Battery life is an obvious compromise for IconX, which can stream music for only about 1.5 hours before needing a recharge from the included pill-shaped case. Samsung claims users can eke out 3.5 hours listening to tracks stored on-device, a far cry from competing products able to last upwards of six hours per charge.
Of course the IconX does much more than current offerings. Not content with creating a simple wireless listening device, Samsung stuffed in a wealth of health monitoring hardware to keep track of user heart rate, steps taken, distance traveled, speed and calories burned.
Notably, IconX acts as a standalone fitness device, meaning it can process and store fitness data internally without need for a tethered smartphone. The information is later offloaded to Samsung's S Health app, a data repository similar in function to Apple's Health app for iOS.
Like the Bragi Dash, IconX boasts a touchpad for controlling system settings via swipe and tap gestures. Instead of visual cues, Samsung relies on a so-called "Voice Guide" to provide feedback on workout progress, as well as confirmations for user actions like music playback, volume adjustment and mode selection.
Samsung expects IconX to ship in the third quarter for $199. Initial compatibility will be limited to devices running Android.
In other news, Samsung today released an updated version of its Gear Fit2 smartwatch featuring a 1.5-inch curved AMOLED display, 4GB of storage, embedded GPS module and heart rate monitor. The usual assortment of motion sensors are also included for fitness tracking. Gear Fit2 launches in stores on June 10.
Comments
I own 7 pairs of PowerBeats 2 Bluetooth (I know... don't start. I get enough grief from all my friends for color matching to what I wear. LOL)
My concern is not even so much about popping out as it is about that battery life. Jeez-Zu 1.5 hours? My morning 26 mile bike ride follows by my 4 mile walk these would just barely do the bike portion.
I guess if the sounded like PowerBeats 2 Bluetooth it would be tempting, but they need to work on that battery charge.
2. You can actual criticise Apple. Life will continue on. Just because Apple does something or is about to doesn't mean it's not fair game.
3. Killing off the headphone jack in the iPhone doesn't kill off wires. The idea is there still is a port for wired listening—the Lightning port. Wireless is an option and has been for several years now. Wired earbuds/phones are here to stay for a long, long time. Some people prefer wired, sound quality is still superior, they don't need to be charged, never lose their charge, they cost less, they are harder to lose, zero lag—the list goes on. Some people such as Marco Arment use both depending on the situation. Wired are here to stay.
I hated the thought of losing the headphone jack until I realized adapters will be developed and sold.
You're right, nothing compares to wired headphones and I have yet to see studio grade wireless headphones.
I thought that was a Beats Pill at the end.
If only Bragi had enough money to properly sue Samsung- I'd pay good money to see that battle.
Battery life on Bragi is great.
They haven't popped out once during intense triathlon training.
Good audio products cost money. Good electronics cost money...
Not sure about Samsung but Bragi uses a dual armature design which delivers good sound (for a non-audiophile grade Bluetooth headphone).
Based on the patents has been filing since 2010 they're definitely loosing the cord. Sorry.
I think when people see the sturdiness of the "in ear -no cord" and the advantage of the "computer in the ear" possibilities, they will find this is an natural evolutionary process that works.
The only issue with the Bragi (the German company's version of the ear buds) is the Bluetooth mess (losing signal, etc). The good news is solved that problem even with PowerBeats. When BEATS made them, all movies had a 1.2 second "visual to audio" delay. After bought them 3 weeks later? Fixed!
Cant wait for 's version. Think they'll have a trade in program for me (like they do on used iPhones)? LOL
Yet again, execution is lacking. Come up with a cool concept, but fumble at execution to get the privilege of saying "first!".
It says 1.5 hours if you stream music from your phone, or 3.5 hours if you copy music onto its RAM. So that begs the question, what happens when the health/ fitness functionality is turned on? Will it last 30 minutes?
Suddenly, for a heart-rate monitor, step and calorie counter that plays music, with the added bonus of notifications, the Apple Watch's 16 hours is not too shabby, right?
I can't with Samesung sometimes.
Apple and Samsung are two totally different companies with different business strategies, goals and customer bases. They only happen to overlap in a few product lines because Samsung tries to enter almost every area in consumer electronics and appliances, even if it isn't "high tech". Samsung was no more thinking about Apple when they made this device than they do when they make their next streaming DVD player or smart TV.