The first images showing the Galaxy Gear smartwatch have hit the web, although they're yet to be confirmed.
VentureBeat obtained from a developer access to the Galaxy Gear smartwatch. The publication notes that the prototypes sent to developers "don't [always] mirror the final design" of a device, but says that the final design "won't be far off."
However, these images aren’t pictures of the actual thing, as the reporter was not allowed to photograph it. Instead, she was allowed to take pictures of an internal promotional marketing video for the Galaxy Gear, created for Samsung "by an independent team working closely" with the South Korean giant.
This isn't the first time we receive such information from publications that talked to devs with access to the device, with a previous report offering many details regarding the specs and features of the smartwatch. But it’s the first time we get to see images of the smartwatch.
According to the publication, the Galaxy Gear measures about 3-inches and is "quite large" with large bezels that give it "a chunky rectangular shape with rounded corners." Moreover, "the wristband is clunky and masculine, large enough to hold speakers in the clasp."
The smartwatch is said to connect via Bluetooth to smartphone and tablets, but to also offer Wi-Fi support for working independently of a different device.
Here are the Galaxy Gear's specs, according to the same report:
- Samsung S Voice for voice commands
- Preloaded with Android apps for social media, health tracking, etc.
- Integration with a companion Galaxy S phone or tablet
- An easy-to-use swipe function to access apps, the built-in camera, and the photo gallery
- Call logs (A cool use-case: You can initiate a call from the watch to a Samsung smartphone device)
- Internet access
- Power button on the side
- Social media integration — you can share to your Facebook or Twitter account from the watch
- 10+ hours battery life
As you can see, some of the specs and features mentioned in previous reports can be found in this story as well.
VentureBeat also says that a 4-megapixel camera that's built into the strap is present, alongside the aforementioned speakers in the strap. Interestingly, the publication says that "you can measure health data through the camera," by taking pictures of your food and tagging it accordingly.
Apparently health is very important to Samsung, with the company rumored to have worked with a health startup from Palo Alto, California, on health apps for the watch.
Speaking about health, here are some health- and fitness-related features the device has to offer:
- While you're at the gym working out, the smartwatch can track your health data, including steps, heart rate, calorie intake.
- You can measure your heart rate at any time via a built-in heart rate monitor.
- The watch will help you devise the perfect workout — one of the first apps devised for the watch suggests workouts to help you lose weight, gain energy or tone up, for instance.
- Track your food intake by taking photos of your meals — plenty of apps are already on the market that help you keep a food diary of sorts. What would be truly innovative is if Samsung could detect the nutritional value of food, based on a smartwatch photograph.
That said, we'll be able to tell you everything there is to know about the Galaxy Gear starting with this Wednesday, when Samsung will officially announce it in Berlin, Germany. Android Authority will be there live to cover the whole IFA 2013 show, including the pre-show announcements.
What do you think about the Galaxy Gear in the images above?
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