Should You Spend $300 on the Samsung Galaxy Gear?

Smart Watch - the new domain of wearable devices are here to replace your smartphones or at least your wrist watches . Well, you will not be able to watch HD videos or browse the internet courtesy of their relatively smaller screen but still taking pictures and speaking on your watch will definitely add to the oomph factor. Basically these are meant to be portable while offering all the functions of a basic mobile phone.

So, this is what a smartwatch should actually be if you go by the definition. But then you have the Korean Manufacturer, Samsung who had earlier redefined a "mobile phone" and is now all set to do the same with watches. The recent launch of the Galaxy Gear just goes on to show that Samsung expects it's customers to have big and strong wrists just as they had earlier expected us to wear jeans with extra-large pockets.

Pic Courtesy: zdnet.com

The Galaxy Gear is powered by a 800 MHz single core processor and sports a 1.63 inch screen with a modest resolution on 320 x 320 pixels. It is equipped with a gyroscope and accelerometer and has a 1.9 megapixel camera. It is also expected to have around 60 applications pre-installed on it. These apps will not blow you mind off, so please do not be too excited about it.

However, the most interesting thing about this watch is that you will have to purchase a Samsung Galaxy S4 or Galaxy Note 3 in order to use this watch as these are among the selected smartphones that will be compatible with the Galaxy Gear. So, if you are thinking that purchasing a watch worth $300 would be suffice, think again.!! If you are using any smartphone other than the aforementioned ones, you are in for some trouble.

Another issue with the Galaxy Gear is that Samsung has forgotten that it is a watch. This device gives a pathetic battery backup of around 25 hours. Basically, you will have to charge this every single day. I wonder if this should be qualified as a watch in the first place.

Check out the hands-on video of the Galaxy Gear Smartwatch

If you are looking to purchase a smartwatch, also check out the Pebble as well as the Sony SmartWatch 2. All said, it is certain that these underbaked products from multiple manufacturers are no where close to perfection. It appears that Apple Inc's registration of the "iWatch" patent in various nations has got Samsung and Sony into panic mode and their not so smart watches are just a result of that.

Will the Galaxy Note 3 Be Able To Break The Ice?

The highly anticipated smartphone from Samsung, the Galaxy Note 3 has finally been revealed. It is all set to hit the market by October 2013. In addition to this, the electronics giant also launched the Galaxy Gear, with which it aims to create a new category of wearable devices.

Pic Courtesy: Samsung Mobile

There has been a lot of hype surrounding the latest smartphone, given the fact that the previous iterations of the Note series have done exceptionally well. On the other hand, the launch of a new phablet, just a week before Apple plans to introduce its new devices, shows that the Korean company is all set to take the bull by it's horns.

With the Galaxy S4 getting a thumbs down from both the critics and consumers, Samsung's hopes are pinned on to this device. The Galaxy Note 3 is likely to be priced around INR 43000.


What does the new Galaxy has in store for you?

What makes the Galaxy Note 2 better from its predecessors? Measuring a whopping 5.7 inch is the SuperAMOLED display, which is bigger than the previous models. The screen boasts of a full HD resolution, so watching videos and browsing the internet shouldn't be a problem. On the back is a 13 megapixel camera that is capable of shooting 4K videos.

Samsung's new baby is powered by a monstrous 1.9 GHz Octa-core processor/2.2 GHz Quad-core processor. The countries that have a well-established 4G network will be getting the Quad-core version of the Galaxy Note III. India, on the other hand will be among the fortunate ones to receive the Octa-core model. With such raw power mated with 3 GB of RAM, there is no doubt about the fact that this device will be exceptionally fast.

The characteristic feature of the Note 3 - the S pen is now updated too which imparts additional functionality to it. Criticized for its plasticky feel, Samsung has done away with the flimsy back cover and replaced it with a material that although is plastic too, appears premium.



Should you trade your old smartphone for the Galaxy Note III?

Well.. If you are already using a smartphone that runs on the Quad-core CPU and packs in 2 Gb of RAM, there is practically no need to upgrade. On the other hand, you don't require an eight core processor for the routine tasks like playing videos, games, listening to music or sending/receiving emails. 

However, if you are struck with an obsolete device that doesn't support the recent version of the Android OS or are having issues with your current smartphone's performance, do check out the Note 3 once it is launched.