Samsung is reportedly looking at how its newly released Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch could connect to TVs and other devices.
According to Ryan Bidan, director of product marketing at Samsung, research is under way to see how the Galaxy Gear could be used with Samsung Smart TVs and other networked devices.
Currently, the Galaxy Gear is only compatible with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and 2014 Edition of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Samsung Galaxy S4 and Samsung Galaxy S3 compatibility are on the horizon too, but for now that’s where the connectivity list ends.
However, Samsung could bypass other smartphones and tablets in favour of making the Galaxy Gear connect with its range of Smart TVs instead.
Although Samsung hasn’t expressly explained what functionality the Galaxy Gear would have when connecting with its Smart TVs, we expect the smartwatch will act as a basic TV remote control.
Users could be able to change channel or adjust the volume, perhaps even providing the wearer with alerts from TVs, set top boxes or recorders.
“Even though that could be done, it seems inelegant,” said Roger Kay, president and principal analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates. “The user experience could be wobbly.”
Currently, the Galaxy Gear is used as a notification system for smartphones and tablets, offering the user alerts as to when they receive text messages, emails, calls and other features.
The smartwatch uses smartphones to connect to the internet so it will be interesting to see how Samsung connects the Galaxy Gear to Smart TVs successfully.
Bidan admitted the company is relying on developers to come up with specific ways the two devices can interact.
The Samsung Galaxy Gear is available to buy now for £299 along with the £649 Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Anyone wishing to purchase the two devices simultaneously will receive a £100 discount on the combined bundle, which will still set them back £848.
Next, read our pick of the best mobile phones of 2013.
Via: TechHive
