IFA: Samsung SA Gears up for October

At this year’s IFA conference in Berlin, Samsung unveiled the Gear S and the Gear Circle. Both wearable devices are an extension of a smartphone and allow users to make phone calls, read messages and, with the Gear S, get turn-by-turn navigation instructions.

Samsung Electronics South Africa will release the Samsung Gear S, the next generation smart wearable device that expands the smartphone experience to the wrist, in South Africa next month. The new Gear S, unveiled ahead of the IFA 2014 expo in Berlin last week, includes 3G connectivity and wearable-optimised features.

Samsung is leading this exciting and rapidly developing wearable category through progressive innovation,” said Craige Fleischer, Director of Mobile Communications at Samsung Electronics SA. “The Samsung Gear S redefines the idea of the smart wearable and the culture of mobile communication. It will let users live a truly connected life anywhere and anytime.

Designed with an elegant, curved Super AMOLED display and flexible band, the Gear S fits comfortably on the wrist. It features a 2-inch curved Super AMOLED display, providing a richer view with an easy-to-use interface. It allows users to read messages and notifications at a single glance, with features such as conversation view and condensed font. It’s chic, curved design fits comfortably around the contours of the wrist, while its customisable screen options and changeable straps empower individuals to express their own taste and style.

The Gear S allows customers to control how they want to connect by extending its communication capabilities to include 3G as well as Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. It also automatically synchronises information when paired with a smartphone, allowing for seamless connectivity to social networking sites, and access to calendar and applications even when users are away from their phones. It allows users to reply to incoming messages using the onscreen keyboard, or utilise enhanced S voice functionality to ensure tasks can be completed immediately. Finally, with the Samsung Gear S, people can seamlessly make and receive calls directly from their wrist, or get calls forwarded from their smartphones. Samsung Gear S

The Gear S provides easy access to relevant information through widgets and combined notification boards. Its features include turn-by-turn pedestrian navigation provided by Here for Gear. Here is powering an application called Navigator, which offers turn-by-turn walk navigation and public transit routing. The app provides a complete stand-alone experience, including the ability to store map data locally on the device and use it offline for navigation, directions and search.

A 24-hour news and views service from The Financial Times, fastFT, works together with advanced-reading technology from Spritz, and the ability to see and respond to important social notifications instantly with Facebook.

The Gear S also features enhanced multi-sensors, built-in GPS and robust S Health features. In addition, applications such as Nike+ Running allow one to track their fitness activities and stay motivated while on the move, without a smartphone.

The new Samsung Gear Circle also made an appearance at the IFA. When paired with a smartphone, it can receive calls, play music and make voice commands through a Bluetooth connection. It can function as earphones, and features a magnetic lock which clasps around the neck when not in use. It includes a vibrate and LED indicator function to signal incoming calls and notifications.

Samsung Gear Circle

Both the Samsung Gear S and Gear Circle will be available through Samsung Experience Stores, leading retailers and local operators, from October.

Samsung Gear S suggested retail price: R 4999

Samsung Gear Circle – suggested retail price: R 1199

Samsung Gear S Product Specifications:

Network

900/2100 or 850/1900 (3G)

Display

2.0″ Super AMOLED (360 x 480)

AP

Dual core 1.0 GHz

OS

Tizen based wearable platform

Audio

Codec: MP3/AAC/AAC+/eAAC+

Features

Communications:

– Contacts, Notifications, Messages, Emails, QWERTY Keyboard

Health & Fitness:

Information:

Media:

Others:

IP67 Certified Dust and Water Resistant

Samsung Services

Samsung Gear Apps

Connectivity

WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n, A-GPS/Glonass

USB: USB 2.0

Sensor

Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Heart Rate, Ambient Light, UV, Barometer

Memory

RAM: 512MB

Dimension

39.8 x 58.3 x 12.5T

Battery

300mAh Li-ion

Samsung Gear Circle Specifications

Speaker

12ϕ Dynamic

Microphone

Single MEMS

Codec

SBC, apt-X, Samsung HD

Value-Added Features

Smart Magnetic Clasp Control, Voice Notification, Sound Alive

Connectivity

Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth 3.0

Multi Point Connection : Up to 8 BT connections, 2 BT devices at the same time

Connector: Micro USB (Charging only)

Sensor

Magnetic Sensor, Touch Sensor

Battery

180mAh Li-ion (Standby 300h / Talk 11h / Play Time 9h)

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