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Fri, May 27, 2022 | 04:52
Tech
Galaxy Gear to beat iWatch's unveiling
삼성전자, "갤럭시 기어 9월4일 공개"
Posted : 2013-08-27 16:34
Updated : 2013-08-27 16:34
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Samsung says non-flexible display used in conceptual product

By Kim Yoo-chul

Lee Young-hee
Lee Young-hee
Samsung Electronics will release its first "smartwatch" in Berlin, Germany, on Sept. 4, two days ahead of the official opening of this year's IFA consumer electronics fair, according to a senior company executive.

In an exclusive interview with The Korea Times, Monday, Lee Young-hee, executive vice president of Samsung's mobile business, said that the smartwatch, named Galaxy Gear, will use a "non-flexible display."

"We will be introducing a new wearable concept device called Galaxy Gear at our own event in Berlin on Sept. 4," Lee said. Samsung has been preparing the smartwatch product for a long time.

"The Gear won't have a flexible display. The new device will enhance and enrich the current smart mobile experience in many ways. It will lead a new trend in smart mobile communications. We are confident that the Gear will add meaningful momentum to the mobile industry," Lee said.

The executive, who moved to Samsung in 2007 after serving as a marketing expert at L'Oreal and Unilever, said the upcoming device is mainly targeted at young trend setters.

When asked if Samsung intends to release new wearable gadgets using flexible displays, the executive hinted that the company is preparing to introduce more advanced ones.

"We have intellectual properties for patents related to the next wearable devices. Those are concepts for future products."

The company is gearing up against its rivals including Sony to get the upper hand in the market for wearable devices because the smartphone market is heading toward saturation.

Lee also confirmed that a Galaxy Note3 will make its international debut at IFA. But she declined to comment about specific details about the new phablet — a term devised by the company that means a combination of smartphone and tablet.

"Samsung opened a new smart mobile device category back in 2011 with the introduction of the first Galaxy Note. Since then, smartphones with large screens have been a mainstream trend. As the creator of this category, we will introduce our customers to enhanced key features on our Galaxy Note devices."

Samsung is seeking to strengthen its tablet business as its smartphone business has grown to what the company believes is a "proper level" that can be managed in terms of size and revenue.

The executive made it clear that Samsung has no interest in Canada's BlackBerry, which has been put up for sale. There has been speculation that Samsung may be interested in BlackBerry's patent portfolio.

"Samsung Electronics is not considering that opportunity," she said without elaborating further.

Lee said that Samsung will also focus on strengthening its mobile security industry as it believes the market has growth potential.

Recently, the U.S. Defense Department decided to use Samsung Electronics' Android-based Knox solution.

"The mobile security industry is a growing market opportunity. To address the potential, Samsung Electronics has been focusing on enhancing mobile security. We are ready to adapt Knox to the market needs," she said.

But Lee declined to comment about Samsung's plan to offset growing worries over a decline in profit at its mobile business. The company has been urged to find new cash generators to hedge against this.


삼성전자, "갤럭시 기어 9월4일 공개"

갤럭시 와치폰 출시 계획 없다
안드로이드 기반, 플렉시블 디스플레이 채용 안해
블랙베리 인수 안한다

삼성전자가 9월4일 (한국시간 9월5일 새벽) 독일 베를린에서 자사의 첫번째 ‘스마트 워치’인 ‘갤럭시 기어’를 공개한다. 이와 함께 갤럭시노트3도 내놓는다.

이영희 삼성전자 무선사업부 부사장은 27일 코리아타임스와의 인터뷰에서 “9월4일 갤럭시 기어를 공개할 것”이라며 “이 웨어러블 (wearable) 디바이스는 플렉시블 (휘어지는) 디스플레이를 채용하지 않는다”고 밝혔다.

삼성전자가 그간 ‘소문만 무성했던’ 갤럭시 기어의 공개 시점과 실체에 대해 공식적으로 확인해 준 것은 이번이 처음이다.

이 부사장은 소위 ‘갤럭시 와치’를 내 놓을 계획은 없다고 못박았다.

그는 “갤럭시 와치라는 제품은 없다”며 “갤럭시 기어는 완전히 새로운 컨셉의 웨어러블 디바이스로 새로운 문화를 창조하고 트렌드를 선도하는 ‘트렌드 세터’들에게 많은 사랑을 받을 것으로 기대하고 있다”고 덧붙였다.

이 부사장은 이어 “이번에 선을 보일 갤럭시 기어는 기존의 스마트 단말의 여러면을 향상, 보강하고 새로운 트렌드와 문화를 창출할 것으로 기대한다”며 “업계 전반에 새로운 의미있는 모멘텀이 될 제품으로 자신한다”고 힘주어 말했다.

플렉시블 디스플레이를 사용한 관련 기기에 대한 디자인 특허를 대거 출원한 배경에 대해서는 “해당 특허 출원은 미래 상품 컨셉들”이라며 “언젠가는 그런 제품들이 출시되지 않을까요”라며 향후 진화한 스마트와치를 출시할 계획이 있음을 내비췄다.

이 부사장은 갤럭시노트3의 구체적인 사양을 묻는 질문에는 답변을 피했다.

다만 “삼성전자가 2011년 갤럭시 노트 제품을 처음 선보이며 소위 패블릿이라는 신규 모바일 카테고리 시장이 형성되었는데 대표 주자 답게 소비자들이 사랑하는 노트의 특.장점을 더 강화시킨 제품을 선보일 예정”이라고 말했다. 

삼성전자는 패블릿 사업 확대에 박차를 가하고 있다. PC의 전반적인 수요가 줄고 있고 TV 수요 마저 지지부진 한 상태에서 패블릿이 이 수요를 흡수할 수 있다고 판단하기 때문이다. 삼성전자는 내년에 보급형 패블릿 라인업을 더욱 강화할 예정이다.

이 부사장은 ‘모바일 시큐리티’ 사업 강화에 대해서도 “주요 성장 시장 중 하나”라며 “모바일 보안 강화에 특히 힘을 쏟고 있다”고 강조했다.

최근 미국 국방부는 삼성전자의 보안솔루션인 ‘녹스 (Knox)’를 승인했다. 미 국방부에서 안드로이드 스마트폰 보안솔루션에 대한 인증은 삼성전자가 처음이다.

그는 “삼성전자는 녹스를 통해 기업 고객들을 포함한 소비자들에게 한층 강화된 모바일 보안을 선보일 예정”이라고 말했다.

관심을 끌고 있는 블랙베리 인수 가능성에 대해서는 “전혀 검토한 바 없다”고 선을 그었다.
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