Samsung's first smartwatch based on Android Wear, Google's wearables platform, is now official as the Gear Live, with the announcement coming on stage at the Google I/O developers conference earlier today. As expected, the Gear Live has a design that's similar to Samsung's Gear 2 smartwatches, with the watch built around the same beautiful 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display as the Gear 2, though without things like a hardware home button.
The main focus on the Gear Live is Android Wear, which is centered around Google Now for live information that people have come to love on Android smartphones and tablets, along with always-on “Ok Google” voice input for things like calling a taxi (this is done automatically through a third-party app, which uses your location to send a taxi right at your doorstep), sending a text, making a restaurant reservation or setting an alarm. Other features include notification syncing, option to change the clock face, control your phone's music player, and using apps for counting a user's heart rate, for which the Gear Live's integrated heart rate sensor should come in handy.
In terms of hardware, the Gear Live is quite similar to the Gear 2. Its specs include a 1.2GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage, IP67 certification for water and dust reistance, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, and a 300 mAh battery. Of course, in a smartwatch, most of these specs aren't important in the grand scheme of things, as it's all about the software that increases user convenience, and it looks like Android Wear will be offering a great experience, considerably better than what we've seen on Samsung's Android and Tizen-based smartwatches.
Gear Live (and other Android Wear smartwatches) will be compatible with any device running Android 4.3 or higher, and will be available for pre-order from today itself (June 25) from the Google Play Store in Black and Wine Red with interchangeable strap options, and will also hit Samsung stores and retail stores such as Amazon and Best Buy on July 7th.
Anyone planning to buy the Gear Live?
Press Release:
Samsung Expands Gear Portfolio with Android Wear
Samsung Gear Live™ powered by Android Wear, connects users to the world simply and efficiently
San Francisco, California – June 25, 2014– Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., today unveiled the Samsung Gear Live, powered by Android Wear. The Samsung Gear Live is a new Android wearable that gives you useful information when you need it most.
“Samsung has been a pioneer in the quickly-evolving wearable market, and the launch of Gear Live furthers our efforts to deliver a simple and intuitive wearable experience to consumers,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. “Through our long-term close collaboration with Google, we have successfully incorporated the capabilities of Android Wear into the Gear Live, in a way that only Samsung can do. I am confident that Samsung and Google together, we will grow the smart wearable market to positively impact consumers’ life.”
“Watches powered by Android Wear aim to help people get access to useful information the moment you need it, at a glance,” said Sundar Pichai, SVP, Android, Chrome & Apps. “It's exciting to be working closely with Samsung on the launch of the Gear Live — with it's all-day battery and vibrant display– to bring more smart wearables to the market.”
Advanced hardware technology
The Samsung Gear Live offers a powerful mobile experience, heralded design aesthetics and innovative features that users expect from Samsung. The new Android Wear device features Samsung’s signature Super AMOLED display for incredible color and screen clarity. It also offers easy customization of the clock face and utilizes simple one-touch device wakeup for instant access. The Gear Live meets IP67, protecting the device against the effects of dust and water immersion , and comes with a standard 22mm band, so users can change the band to express their taste and personality. Finally, the sleek watch allows users to better manage their health and fitness with a built-in heart rate monitor that works seamlessly with multiple fitness apps.
Simple and intuitive Android Wear experience
Allowing information to move with the user, the Gear Live, powered by Android Wear shows targeted information and suggestions in real-time. The wide variety of Android applications compatible with the Gear Live means users can seamlessly receive the latest posts and updates from social apps, chats from preferred messaging apps, and regular notifications from shopping, news or even photography apps. The new device also offers intuitive voice commands; just say “Ok Google” to ask questions like what time your flight leaves or the score of the game, or to get stuff done, like calling a taxi, sending a text, making a restaurant reservation or setting an alarm. The Gear Live can be paired with any Android device running Android 4.3 or higher for a truly connected and personal mobile experience.
The Gear Live will be offered in Black and Wine Red with interchangeable strap options. It will be available to order from June 25th through the Google Play Store (play.google.com/devices), and will subsequently go on sale in Samsung Retail Stores.
For additional product information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com or m.samsungmobilepress.com.
* The availability of services and features listed above may vary by region.
**All functionality, features, services, applications, specifications, and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, tablets, PCs, cameras, home appliances, printers, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 286,000 people across 80 countries with annual sales of US$216.7 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.
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