Samsung touts new smart gear ahead of Apple
SAMSUNG yesterday unveiled the first smartwatch capable of making and receiving calls without a smartphone nearby, as the South Korean electronics giant looks to gain a stronghold in the wearable market, which rival Apple is expected to enter in two weeks.
Meanwhile, in the UK, Samsung has increased its smartphone market share from 32 per cent to 36 per cent over the past year, due to the success of its Samsung Galaxy S5, which was the best-selling handset in July with 11.5 per cent of UK smartphone sales, according to Kantar Worldpanel ComTech.
“About 52 per cent of customers who bought a Samsung Galaxy S5 in Britain had previously owned a Samsung model, while 20 per cent were previous Apple owners,” said Kantar Worldpanel ComTech strategic insight director Dominic Sunnebo.
Samsung’s new smartwatch, called the Gear S, differs from its predecessors with a larger two-inch curved display and has WiFi, navigation software and a built-in GPS.
Samsung said the Gear S would be in shops from October. It did not give details on pricing or where it will be available. Despite the S5’s success, Samsung’s push into wearables is seen as a response to slowing growth in its mobile division, leading to weaker-than-expected second quarter results.
Apple sent out invitations last night for a launch event on 9 September, where it is expected to unveil new iPhones as well as its first foray into the wearables space.