Samsung is reportedly answering the Apple Watch with its own ground-breaking wearable.
In a report by Samsung fan and observer Sam Mobile, the new smartwatch, codenamed Project Orbis, will have a more classic, round watch face. However, this will not be a normal, run-of-the-mill watch – the Samsung wearable will have new, exciting features.
In the SDK kit released recently to developers, Samsung detailed a comprehensive package for those wishing to develop apps for the next Samsung smartwatch. Dubbed as "The Next Gear" in the SDK documentation, the kit comes complete with images and sample apps that can run on the smartwatch.
According to the developer materials seen by Sam Mobile, the Next Gear will have a slew of features considered standard for today's wearables. The device will have GPS, different sensors such as a gyroscope, a pressure sensor, accelerometer, and others. The Next Gear will also have a heartbeat monitor, although it is unclear if Samsung will use the same optical sensor technology Apple uses for its Watch.
Perhaps the most notable feature gleaned on the released SDK notes is the wearable's bezel. According to the SDK materials, the new Samsung watch will have a rotating bezel that wearers can use to navigate and interact with the device. Different spins and rotations of the bezel can zoom images in and out, change the interface, navigate screens, and control options such as audio volume.
Since the New Gear will also feature Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, observers note that the device can be paired with other Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices, such as headsets for hands-free calls and smartphones to link devices. When paired with the phone, the wearable can display messages and notifications, and users can make basic commands like answering calls or text messages using the smartwatch.
No details yet on when the new Samsung smartwatch will make its debut, but it is expected to be unveiled alongside the next Galaxy Note at the IFA 2015.
