Samsung launches Galaxy smartwatch in time to beat rivals: VIDEO & KEY FEATURES

It’s been a race against time – literally. The world’s tech giants have been jostling to launch the first smartwatch, which could just become the uber-gadget to knock smartphones off their perch in the years to come.

And Samsung has only gone and got in there first. Its Galaxy Gear “benefits consumers by integrating smart device technology even deeper into [consumers’] everyday lives,” said Samsung CEO JK Shin at the launch in Berlin yesterday. He believes the Samsung Galaxy Gear “bridges the gap between the mobile device and fashion worlds to create truly wearable technology”.

But tech analysts have warned that consumers might be a bit dismayed to learn that the smartwatch isn’t a stand-alone smarta device, instead working only as a partner device to a Samsung Android tablet or smartphone.

In essence, the smartwatch will allow you to interact with functions provided by your smartphone or tablet, controlling them from the watch.

South Korean tech goliath Samsung sells more smartphones than any other company. It was widely expected to pip the likes of Apple to the post in launching the fist smartwatch on the market.

CEO Shin added at the launch that the Galaxy Gear smartwatch will “free users from the need to constantly check their smart devices. It provides what we call ‘smart freedom’ by allowing users to choose how, why, when and where they are connected’.”

It will go on sale on 25 September, and we’ll keep you updated until then with details and features as they come.

This video from CNET gives you a good look around all the features:

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