Galaxy Gear: Samsung unveils smartwatch with color screen

Samsung has unveiled Galaxy Gear, a smartwatch with color screen that can show alerts and can be used for voice calls and run apps.

The Galaxy Gear had been highly anticipated since the firm is currently the world’s bestselling smartphone maker and has beaten Microsoft, Apple and Google to unveil such a device.

Samsung called it a “fashion icon”.

However, analysts warned that a decision to limit the watch to working as an accessory to other Galaxy Android devices might limit its appeal.

Samsung has previously said growth in the sales of its handsets was slowing, so investors are eager to see if it can find another successful product.

The company unveiled the watch – which will go on sale from September 25 – at the IFA consumer tech show in Berlin.

“The introduction of the Galaxy smartwatch comes as no surprise to the industry, which has been expecting Samsung to beat the likes of Apple – as well as watch makers and other consumer electronics companies – to market,” said Chris Green, principal technology analyst at the consultancy Davies Murphy Group.

“Consumers might be a bit disappointed to find that the smartwatch is a partner device reliant on being paired with a Samsung Android smartphone or tablet, rather than being the completely autonomous device media and communications device many consumers were expecting and hoping for.”

The South Korean firm’s approach contrasts with that of Sony whose forthcoming Smartwatch 2 can be paired with any device running Android 4.0 or higher.

But one industry watcher said Samsung’s decision should not be a surprise.

“Samsung is trying to build its own ecosystem, so why do something that brings value to somebody else?” asked Carolina Milanesi, an analyst at tech advisors Gartner.

“Although the price of the Galaxy watch is high there’s not going to be great margins as there’s lots of technology going into it.”

The Galaxy watch will cost about $300 making it more expensive than Sony’s device which costs $185.

Start-up Omate is planning to release a watch in October that matches Samsung’s in price, but its device is set to feature a 3G chip meaning it can make calls and work as a standalone device.

Qualcomm has also unveiled Toq, a watch using the firm’s Mirasol color display technology which should mean better battery life than its rivals. It also links up to a range of Android smartphones, will go on sale next month at a suggested retail price of $300.

The Galaxy Gear features a 1.6 in (4cm) LED display, a 1.9 megapixel camera, a speaker and microphone, has four gigabytes of internal storage and a non-removable battery.

Samsung said the watch could be used as a way to make voice calls without having to take the phone it was linked to out of the owner’s bag or pocket.

Galaxy Gear comes preloaded with 10 different clock options and there will be about 70 apps available at launch including Evernote’s note-taking software, auction service eBay, the social network Path and several fitness programs.

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