Samsung has reportedly been gearing up for the launch of its first-ever smartwatch, dubbed the Galaxy Gear, on Sept. 4.
A new Bloomberg report now reconfirms the Sept. 4 launch date of the smartwatch. The Galaxy Gear, according to the site's reliable sources, will launch next month alongside the Galaxy Note 3 phablet and be powered by Android. Moreover, the Samsung smartwatch is set to hit the shelves this year, aiming to take on the rumored iWatch from archrival Apple.
"Samsung Electronics Co. will introduce a wristwatch-like device named the Galaxy Gear next month that can make phone calls, surf the Web and handle e-mails, according to two people familiar with the matter," reports Bloomberg. "The Galaxy Gear will be powered by Google Inc.'s Android operating system and go on sale this year to beat a potentially competing product from Apple Inc., the people said. The device will be unveiled Sept. 4, two days before the IFA consumer electronics show begins in Berlin, one of the people said, asking not to be identified because the plans are private."
The Galaxy Gear smartwatch (aka Altius) has been rumored to debut alongside the Galaxy Note 3 phablet for sometime now. However, previous reports have pointed to a Sept.6 rather than a Sept. 4 debut for the Samsung devices.
"Samsung planning to release their new Galaxy Note III on September 6 alongside the debut of their new smart watch which is noted as being a 'Samsung Gear' smartphone accessory," noted a Patently Apple report in July.
Additionally, Bloomberg's sources reportedly claim that the Galaxy Gear will not have a flexible display as previously rumored. However, Samsung is apparently working on developing a bendable screen according to one of the sources.
Sony recently launched its smartwatch and the emerging industry trend seems to be toward wearable devices. The Galaxy Gear is expected to throw the gauntlet to rival Sony's smartwatch, as well as the impending iWatch from Apple.
Moreover, with the smartphone space gradually nearing saturation, market experts believe that smartwatches could be the next big thing.
"It will carve a niche for sure as this is an initial product in the market," said Chung Chang Won, an analyst at Nomura Holdings Inc. in Seoul. "Wearable devices could be one of the trends in the smartphone market, but I'm not sure yet whether watches or glasses will set the trend."
It remains to be seen how the Galaxy Gear will fare in the consumer space and if it can herald a new era for wearable devices, but the concept sounds exciting nonetheless.
