Samsung to unveil Galaxy Gear wristwatch device ahead of IFA Berlin

16 Aug 2013

Korean electronics giant Samsung is to unveil a new wearable computing device called the Samsung Galaxy Gear. The wristwatch device, which it is believed will be unveiled at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, will enable users to make phone calls, surf the internet and send email.

The launch of the device will put Samsung in the lead against Apple and Sony, which are also said to be working on their own wristwatch computing devices.

The Galaxy Gear will be powered by Google’s Android operating system and could go on sale before Christmas, according to Bloomberg.

According to the report, the device will be unveiled on 4 September, two days before the IFA consumer electronics show begins in Berlin.

It will be unveiled on the same day as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 smartphone/tablet combo.

The first iteration of the Galaxy Gear wristwatch device won’t have a flexible display, although future versions are likely to come with a bendable screen.

Wearable computing concept image via Shutterstock

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com