Like it already doesn’t offer a number of smart watches, Samsung is preparing to add another wearable to its roster. According to Korean publication Yonhap News, the Gear Solo will be officially announced at the upcoming IFA 2014 show taking place in Berlin, Germany.
With the SIM-enabled Gear Solo, the world’s biggest phone market provides an option for carriers to join the wearables market in a big way.What makes this model different from other devices offered by Samsung, and other companies for that matter, is the fact that the Gear Solo will have its own cellular connectivity, allowing it to beam data to and from Internet without a smartphone connection. However, it’s not clear whether this device will run Samsung’s own Tizen platform or Google’s Android Wear. Chances are it will be the former, though you never know.
With a SIM-enabled smart watch, the world’s biggest phone market provides an option for carriers to join the wearables market in a big way. Because they will be bundling the smart watch with data plans, mobile operators can increase ARPUs and even offer additional, likely health-related services to their users.
The Gear Solo aside, Samsung will also unveil the Galaxy Note 4 phablet in Germany. Said device is rumored to come with the ability to measure the sun’s radiation, and may also include a heart rate sensor, among other things.
Samsung’s existing portfolio of wearable devices includes the original Galaxy Gear, Gear 2 and Gear 2 smart watches, as well as the Gear Fit smart band.