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| Samsung has unveiled its latest – and best-looking – smartwatch ahead of its IFA press conference |
The South Korean firm has released a number of details on its latest Gear gadget watch.
Unfortunately the technology giant is still withholding some crucial details – like UK price and release date.
However we do now know that the sleek and metallic Gear S2 watch will have a 1.2-inch round display.
It also has a rotating bezel, like a diver’s watch, which can be used to scroll and navigate around the watch’s interface.
There are also some physical home and back buttons, to help you quickly dismiss notifications on your wrist.
The Gear S2 also has an NFC chip built-in, which Samsung claims will be able to be used for mobile payments very soon.
Samsung is also releasing a 3G version which will be able to make voice calls without the need to be paired to a Samsung smartphone.
The South Korean technology firm appears to have focused on design with its latest feature-packed smartwatch, similar to its recent overhaul of its popular Galaxy smartphone range, which resulted in the curvaceous and hugely popular Galaxy S6 Edge.
The Gear S2 is also a big departure from its predecessor, which sported a hefty square display which wrapped around the wrist.
If the refreshed Samsung watch design was at all influenced by the rounded icons and style-focused Apple Watch, they are not saying.
However the Gear S2 will come with a choice of bands, like the leaked Moto 360.
Samsung is releasing a Gear S2 Classic, which comes with a black finish and matching leather strap and will likely compete with the high-end Android smartwatch market targeted most recently by the LG Watch Urbane.
Another model will be available in dark grey with a silver or white band.
Samsung claims styles can quickly be swapped between the different watch models, if customers want to customise their look.
More impressive – Samsung claims the new Gear S2 will have a battery life ranging from between two to three days.
Unfortunately the Gear S2 does not run on Google’s open-source Android Wear operating system but Samsung’s own Tizen.
This means it will not work with the growing ecosystem of wrist-ready apps and custom watch-faces available in the Android Wear store.
It is also likely that the Samsung Gear S2 will only work when paired with a select few Samsung smartphones.
Samsung claims it is busy working with developers to help expand the number of Tizen compatible apps available from launch, but it remains to be seen whether third-parties will embrace the new circular entry into the Gear smartwatch range.
Regardless, the Gear S2 will be compatible with a number of Samsung’s own apps and will keep you up-to-date with notifications of your texts, calendar, email, breaking news, fitness goals and heart-rate.
Samsung will likely reveal more details on its new wearable at its Press Event at IFA in Berlin tomorrow morning.
- NewsNewsBlog.blogspot.com will be at the event and bring you the latest information as it breaks.
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