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Samsung to Beat Apple to Market with 'iWatch' Competitor?

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macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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Screenshots alleged to be of a forthcoming Samsung smartwatch have been posted on the Korean message board Ruliweb (via SlashGear), suggesting possible competition for the rumored Apple "iWatch".

samsungwatch-800x361.jpg
It is unclear whether the watch will be a self-contained product, or rely on a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone.

The claimed code name of the project, Altius, is causing some confusion, as SamMobile had previously reported this to be the code name for the Galaxy S IV expected to be launched on April 15, though other code names have been associated with that handset. The watch screenshots indicate that the device is running software called AltiusOS beta2, and an app navigation screen bears a resemblance to the tiles seen on Windows Phone.

SlashGear notes that the screenshots are 500x500 pixels, and suggests that this may be the resolution of the screen.

Apple and Samsung are of course not the only major electronics companies apparently seeking to break into the watch market, with Sony offering another example in the form of its Android-compatible SmartWatch. But given the tense relationship between Apple and Samsung, it is notable that the two companies appear to be preparing to face off yet again in a new market.

Article Link: Samsung to Beat Apple to Market with 'iWatch' Competitor?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/02/15/samsung-to-beat-apple-to-market-with-iwatch-competitor/
dBeats

dBeats

macrumors 6502a
Jun 21, 2011
637
214
That looks a helluva lot like a B&W windows 8 metro theme. Samsung decided to copy someone else rather than poke the Apple?
 
F

ForzaJuve

macrumors member
Jul 20, 2009
75
61
Yea right

How is this even possible. They would have to see the released iWatch in order to copy it an release an identical version with the Samsung logo and Android OS. This article implies that Samsung actually has its own R&D department. It is not April 1st today.
 
nick_elt

nick_elt

macrumors 68000
Oct 28, 2011
1,578
0
Competition is always good for consumer even if most (maybe just the most vocal shall I say) of you wish there was only apple in the world.
 
AlphaVictor87

AlphaVictor87

macrumors 6502a
Sep 7, 2011
797
27
Saint Louis, MO
Posted yesterday on SamMobile, plus a list of reasons why these are completely fake:

First of all Samsung doesn’t use codenames on their splash screen, like you can see in the first image Samsung Galaxy “Altius”. The UI doesn’t meet Samsung’s UX guidelines and Samsung never uses mirror effect on their branding, like you can see in image 3-5. One more thing, in image 3 & 4 it says code “altios” not “altius”.


http://www.sammobile.com/2013/02/14/screenshots-of-an-unannounced-samsung-smartwatchs-test-os/
 
B

Born Again

Suspended
May 12, 2011
4,073
5,325
Norcal
Call it the iWatch !!!

Be the first Samsung!

----------

Steve walks out.

Says it couldn't be done.

But we did it guys.

We put in a curves glass in a watch.

We call it the iWatch.

And it's our best iWatch yet!
 
whooleytoo

whooleytoo

macrumors 604
Aug 2, 2002
6,607
716
Cork, Ireland.
"Apple v Samsung in watch face-off"
"Apple v Samsung in hand to hand combat"
(possibly followed by "Apple v Samsung call time-out")

The headline writers are going to have a field day with this one..
 
R

Ryth

macrumors 68000
Apr 21, 2011
1,591
157
I mean..what is Samsung going to release?

They don't have anyone to copy for the device/OS.
 
rudychidiac

rudychidiac

Suspended
May 2, 2012
378
1,291
Lebanon
Well...

I don't think that's even a watch… The elements are so tiny for a smart watch! Unless Samsung is planning to make a smart watch with a 3" display…
 
Z

Zunjine

macrumors 6502a
Jun 26, 2009
715
0
rudychidiac said:
I don't think that's even a watch… The elements are so tiny for a smart watch! Unless Samsung is planning to make a smart watch with a 3" display…
Click to expand...

Good point!

Even at the size they're on here you can barely read the time at the top. Can't be a watch with elements that small.
 
T

TonyHouston

macrumors newbie
Feb 15, 2013
1
0
Most of these watches are doomed for failure

Most of these watches are doomed for failure. It doesn't matter how elegant the OS is, or how responsive the touchscreen is, or even how vibrant the display is. Each time you touch the screen you black out a huge portion of display. Can you imagine if you have an oversized hand. Guess what most men do. A possible solution would be the pointing device from Crucialtec. How else would they do it?
 
G

genovelle

macrumors 68020
May 8, 2008
2,100
2,677
ForzaJuve said:
How is this even possible. They would have to see the released iWatch in order to copy it an release an identical version with the Samsung logo and Android OS. This article implies that Samsung actually has its own R&D department. It is not April 1st today.
Click to expand...
With all of the leaks now all they have to do is watch the rumor sites to find out months in advance some times with pictures then see what they have applied for patents and then try to beat them to market. It's happened at least 5 times in the last couple of years.
 
MichaelJohnston

MichaelJohnston

macrumors member
Jul 18, 2007
58
95
San Luis Obispo
If they put something out before Apple, they'd be first but there's a much greater likelihood that it'll suck without an interface to copy. However, it could help them gain momentum so they can come out with something much better after they see what Apple does. Either way, it could be a win-win for Samsung.
 
ovrlrd

ovrlrd

macrumors 65816
Aug 29, 2009
1,384
146
Not really beating it to market if it turns out to be crappy. There have been plenty of smart watches, and they have all been terrible. Not until the pebble has anyone really started to get things right, but who is to say Samsung can do any better?

Really, the whole part of the rumor about the 'iWatch' is that it is something Apple has probably been developing for a long time now, and if it comes out it would offer something new and work really well (ideally).

Nobody really knows anything about anything though, so it's all market hype and as usual the armchair analysis is super high.
 
jm001

jm001

macrumors 6502a
Sep 19, 2011
596
123
rudychidiac said:
I don't think that's even a watch… The elements are so tiny for a smart watch! Unless Samsung is planning to make a smart watch with a 3" display…
Click to expand...

No no. The watch will be size of your forearm. According to Android smartphone manufacturers bigger has to be better. It'll be just like the forearm computer that Judge Dredd wore in the movie Dredd.

As I've said before a smartwatch should work as a standalone device and perform as a regular watch BUT also act as an extension of your phone connecting via bluetooth. Have certain apps on your phone interact with the watch like mobile payments, messages, emails, other notifications.
 
Last edited:
R

Ryth

macrumors 68000
Apr 21, 2011
1,591
157
My guess is what Samsung will release will be...wait for it...a digital watch.

That's the only thing they can copy at this time...or the last gen iPod Nano.
 
Joe-Diver

Joe-Diver

macrumors 6502
Aug 2, 2009
265
0
(ADVERTISING PLACEHOLDER)
(NEW SAMSUNG SMARTWATCH)​

*as soon as Apple releases their iWatch, we'll be able to show you what ours looks like and how it will function.
 
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