Rendering from Samsung's filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office
With its product event just over a week away, a patent filing suggests Samsung’s latest smartwatch will come with a circular display.
Unofficial blog for everything Samsung Mobile, SamMobile published on Monday illustrations from Samsung’s July 2014 filing with the US Patent and Trademark Office that clearly show a round-faced smartwatch.
This circular Gear smartwatch could be unveiled alongside a Galaxy Note 4 and a separate SIM-enabled smartwatch, the Gear Solo, at the Samsung Unpacked event, set to take place in three cities around the world simultaneously on 3 September.
The pre-IFA event is also expected to include Samsung’s virtual reality headset, the Gear VR.
The circular Gear smartwatch doesn’t put Samsung so much ahead of the curve as in line with it, as competitors Motorola and LG are due to launch the Moto 360 and G Watch R, respectively, the same week.
Both these devices have attracted tech-fans’ attention for having a more traditional watch face, bringing style to this new functionality.
SamMobile’s reveal sparks just as many questions as answers, though. In particular, the question of whether Samsung’s latest wearable will run on Google’s Android Wear or its own Tizen platform.
All will be revealed next week, though it could still be months before these products reach consumers.
