Samsung’s Gear SDK reveals Orbis design, UI, and specifications
Earlier today, Samsung released next-generation Gear smartwatch SDK to developers. This SDK comes bundled with comprehensive documentation, sample apps, and explanation about the upcoming Gear smartwatch along with images that help developers in understanding the SDK better. After going through those things, we found some more details about the device, including its possible design and hardware specifications.
It will feature a round watch face with metal frame and a metal crown. The 1.18-inch circular display will have a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 305 ppi, which is higher than any other smartwatch from Samsung till date. The device will also come equipped with a bunch of sensors including accelerometer, gyrosensor, heart-rate monitor, pressure sensor, and magnetic sensor. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, and cellular radio.
As you can see in the images, the rotating bezel can be used to navigate in software. It can be used to navigate through list of items, navigate between screens, zoom in and out of images, change certain values in the UI, and to change the volume.
The smartwatch can also be connected to Bluetooth devices like headsets, which can be used to take calls. Users can see notifications from apps installed on connected smartphone or tablet, take quick actions, delete a notification, or open the corresponding app on connected device. You can have a look at various interface UI elements and watch faces of the upcoming smartwatches in the screenshots below.
The device is currently codenamed as Project Orbis internally, but it might be released as the Gear A. It is expected to be announced alongside the Galaxy Note 5 during IFA 2015.
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If it doesn’t have a camera unfortunately it is of no use to me 🙁
Who’s the fool who can’t seem to calculate ‘resolution and ppi’ to come up with 1.18″ screen? It actually calculates out to 1.672″ at 360 x 360 resolution at 305ppi and that’s using my head, not my fingers and toes, like who ever came up with a screen size of 1.18 inches. Which is smaller than the average women’s watch face!
Samsung Gear A/Orbis: 360×360 with a PPI of 305 = 1.669 inches diagonal Actual display size = 1.18in × 1.18in = 1.39 in² Samsung Gear A/Orbis real display size = 1.18in Moto 360: 320×290 with a PPI of 205 = 2.1 inches diagonal Actual display size = 1.41in × 1.56in = 2.19in² Moto 360 real display size = 1.41in vertical/1.56in horizontal LG G Watch R: 320×320 with a PPI of 245 = 1.84 inches diagonal Actual Display Size = 1.3in × 1.3in = 1.69in² LG G Watch R real display size = 1.3in Huawei Watch: 400×400 with a PPI of… Read more »
Probably my next watch.
I want it already
**Google nailed it with now integration.
Looks good, I’m just a little bit worried about the lack of an ambient light sensor.
I manage with my Gear 1 fine and that doesn’t have an ambient light sensor. They was only on the Gear S. I really really like it. The hardware looks great and the interaction with the bezel ring works much better than I expected. The hardware is seriously up to standard but the live or die moment would be is apps and content. Google nestled it with “now”. Sammy needs to get something as powerful and as usable. Apps will be the key to its success so things like a partnership with Here like with the Gear S and WhatsApp… Read more »
WhatsApp, Here, Nike+, Tinder, Snapchat etc.
I’d suggest Google apps but that’ll never happen.
Apps people use on a daily basis and not some obscure apps a select few ‘niche’ users play with.