New details about Samsung’s next-generation smartwatch have appeared in the latest build of the Gear developer kit that reveal how the device will look and—perhaps more importantly—how it will serve as an answer to the Apple Watch.
Unlike current Gear models and the Apple Watch, the next Gear will sport a circular display (hence its codename, “Orbis”) with a metal crown and frame. The crown, however, is not the most interesting part. In a departure from Apple’s crown-based navigation system, the Gear SDK indicates that the watch may actually be controlled by a completely different part of the watch.
According to a report from SamMobile, tech specs and design elements included in the new Gear SDK refer to “the next Gear” as having a round, 1.18-inch, 360*360 px display. That shape is key to the watch’s interface navigation, which is based not on turning the crown, but turning the display bezel.
Several images stored within the developer tools include a diagram of a user twisting the bezel to switch between different views or access different controls. In the image below, for example, it seems to act as a multitasking control that switches between multiple running apps or views.
Other images reveal a bevy of additional functions, such as volume control, zoom on photos, scrolling through a list of contacts, choosing an item from a menu, and even selecting individual characters on a unique circular keyboard. One diagram also seems to show a swipe-to-multitask function, so it’s possible that either the swipe or the rotate gesture controls that, while the other controls something different, but similar.
Rotating bezels are not uncommon in the watch world, especially on high-end models, though the functionality differs significantly. It’s certainly an interesting input device that would set the next-gen Gear apart from Apple’s device while still offering a sense of direct content manipulation using a standard part of the watch.
It’s also nice to see that the Korean company has opted against simply ripping off Apple’s crown control, instead choosing to create a new, more original mechanism.
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Finally, Samsung are doing something noteworthy. This is a great way to leverage people’s comfort with circular watches, into an interface element that makes total sense! It’s exciting. I don’t want it, but it’s still exciting!
Tabular and scrolling information is still best expressed on a square screen. Square screens don’t bother me at all, but I am very happy to see some genuine UX innovation.
“…genuine UX innovation”? Ha! This is basically the Nest thermostat UI/UX.
And the nest thermostat is basically an old nonlinear video editing jog/shuttle. It’s innovation with regard to watch interfaces. Familiarity is a tool you use when you innovate. Imagine a completely foreign UX — it may be inventive but it’s poor innovation.
Invention and innovation are not the same thing.
For purposes of digits watch control, it’s much more innovative than just ripping off Apple once again.
Uh … invention and innovation are really very close to the exact same thing, actually.
You can’t innovate without invention and invention produces innovation by definition.
Not really, Gazoo Bee.
You can innovate without inventing. Innovation can be (and often is) very iterative. Refinements qualify as innovation over time, but invention requires a completely new class.
It is innovative to put a jog dial on a watch. It’s not inventive though as both watches and jog dials existed previously.
Like a Nest thermostat on your wrist!
Don’t give them too much credit. This is just one of many wearables they make/will make. I can almost guarantee they will rip off the digital crown at some point.
There’s literally no evidence of them doing that, so I think it’s perfectly fine to give them credit for something new rather than just automatically assume they’re plotting something nefarious behind the scenes. But feel free to be as cyncial as you want. ;)
I’d 100% agree with you if we weren’t talking about a company that has proven itself to be absolutely shameless when it comes to ripping off Apple at every possible opportunity.
I’m not sayying I don’t like this UX as it actually looks pretty intuitive. But the evidence of nefariousness is in being cognizant of a company like Samsung’s values. They have viemetly ripped off Apple’s innovations for years to the point that one could argue it is actually a part of their design philosophy. A “wait and see what Apple will do” sort of design roadmap. Do you not agree? So yes, I will continue to be cynical of a company that seems to have no shame in this regard. Care to make a wager? :)
We should give them credit for vaporwear? If they actually ship it, and it works, then maybe. Meantime, they are still copying Apple by realizing (thanks to the Apple Watch) that touch isn’t enough on small devices and an alternative input, like a crown or a dial, helps. Using the dial to zoom in, like the crown, is clearly an idea borrowed from the Apple Watch.
You people are crazy. Apple has blatently taken ideas from tons of companies, Google and Samsung included.
Blatantly*
I think your username (minus the numbers) sums up your opinion very nicely :)
Given Samsung’s remarkable manufacturing standard I can’t possibly imagine any problem when a big moving part is moved around the watch — there’s no way these things will possible FALL OFF IN PEOPLE’S hands! It’s such an obvious fault tolerance point because it puts the UI in direct (force) opposition to the object it controls. Just my feelings here.
As Zac said, the Nest thermostat already has a circular interface that works really well. So I don’t think it will be a problem for Samsung to do something similar on a watch.
Exactly right. These things have been around for a million years. It’s not breaking new ground in terms of technology, but interface wise it’s a bold approach.
What’s bold about it?
What’s not bold about it? It’s a brave interface move, because it’s in no way subtle. It turns what is usually the watch’s biggest design element (the bezel) into an interface element.
So many of you have ice flowing through your veins. Nothing is interesting or innovative enough for you. Anything short of a Michael Bay movie exploding on your wrist is just boring, right? Pfft.
Hate to say it, but I like it. Wish Apple had done it.
Kinda agree on this. Seems a little nicer than the digital crown, although it seems a little thick on the diagram.
Good Christ no. That would require a round screen which, on a watch being used to display photos and text, is laughably hideous.
I can guarantee you won’t be saying that when Apple release a round watch in a few years time.
Incidentally, if round is so bad, why have Apple opted to have round icons on a square screen?
@auntyTroll
1. I’d like to say that will never happen, but on an infinite timeline, who knows. People never thought the iPhone would get bigger, but the fact that they did, does not make the argument that most people can’t reach all of the screen now any less valid. You just have to take into consideration the tradeoffs. Before there weren’t many compelling reasons for a big screen. Now there are.
2. Round is bad when it cuts off information. App icons are centered in the circles and aren’t being cut off. Circular profile images are common, but the content is usually a person’s face which is usually centered in it and not being cutoff. Apple’s traditional style watch faces are round and their content is radial in nature – nothing being cut off.
It comes down to tradeoffs. Right now, all of the tradeoffs are in square screen’s favor except some people’s subjective thoughts on style. The fun part about subjective thoughts is that they can change either through one’s experiences or by being influenced by peers and advertising. Given Apple’s current strength in affecting pop culture… I don’t think they see that as an issue.
I think the watch could easily be round. Those that talk about it as if it’s an impossible monstrosity are really drinking too much of the Apple Kool-Aide IMO.
On the other hand, people who assume (AuntyTroll), that someday Apple will make a round one are being foolish as well. Apple made it’s decision and went with square. The idea that they might change their minds later on about such a basic aspect of the design is ridiculous, as is the idea that they will someday make both round and square variants together.
Ah GazooBee.
My comment about Apple bringing out a round watch in the future is no more ridiculous than you saying they won’t. You don’t know the future & neither do so stop pretending you know everything that Apple are planning because like everyone else on here, myself included, you know shit.
Do yourself a favour and search Google for the MANY occasions Apple have said they won’t do something, and eventually do. If there is demand for a round watch why would they not release one?
Much love x
@AuntyTroll: Well your argument, summed up as “history isn’t necessarily destiny,” may certainly be true in the case of your predictions. Everything you predict is typically spectacularly incorrect.
So yes, it *is* possible that you may deny all that history of error and be correct about something some day. I don’t think this is it however.
Apple tries everything, delivers the best.
Why? Why do smartwatches have to be round? What is the benefit other than for some people it’s aesthetically preferable because they’re used to wrist watches being round.
They don’t have to be round, but I’d consider buying a round one, whereas I’m not interested in the current square model.
They don’t have to be….but the round screen does allow for the nest-style twisting ring, which I think is pretty cool.
Its nice, but the crown is much more ergonomic and easier to use, with less obstruction of the screen by the users hand and fingers…
Go ahead and try emulating it on your watch.. You will see what i mean !
Personally, I don’t really see a difference ergo wise. If I spin a crown or a ring around the watch with my finger. Same result. I guess it depends on how hard it is to rotate it. I would be lying if I didn’t admit the digital crown was much easier to move then I originally thought it would be.
If you use just your index finger and thumb in small movements you won’t cover any part of the screen. My concern, however, has more to do with the disconnect of seeing the screen scroll up & down while you rotate the mechanism left to right-like circle pattern.
This will be Samsung’s 6th smartwatch and 4th form factor in just 2-years. Stands to reason that they, along with everyone else making smartwatches, never considered any other navigation method until Apple introduced the Digital Crown.
But since this will be a Samsung device-only watch running Tizen and not Android Wear it’ll be on the same failure train as their last few devices. Chief reason: no ecosystem. Very few if any developers will spend any meaningful time developing unique experiences for a watch very few if anyone will buy.
So, Samsung’s answer for the Digital Crown is the Clickwheel? :)
Ha! Hadn’t even thought of that comparison.
LOL! more is coming ..
Since the date of revealing Apple Watch, samsung has put a list of Apple watch features. They’re ripping these new features in a way or another but the main Innovation (idea) is done by Apple.
However, this is not a news !! I think samsung is influenced by APPLE Products more than any other company or Apple’s users themselves.
You are aware aren’t that the Apple Watch wasn’t the first Smart watch released?
Apple Watch is the first released with its unique features!
Samsung heard Apple was planning to create a watch, so they created the watch first assuming what the Watch will have. They didn’t sell in large numbers where the CEO was disappointed. Then they created Neo, because they discovered the healthkit app, still their numbers were low. Samsung wants to create something that apple was planning to deliver to public, but still get cannot stop loyal apple buyers.
Mytawalbeh, the Apple Watch doesn’t have as many unique features as Apple would like you to beleive. The (kinda lame) “digital touch” messaging stuff and the physical input device are new ideas, but basically everything else (watch faces, notifications, fitness) is just standard smartwatch stuff that’s been done already.
To say that this bezel is somehow ripping off the Digital Crown is just not true. This is very different. The watch has limited space for physical input devices, and you can’t claim that they’re all just ripoffs of Apple’s, because they simply aren’t.
i’m not a fan of samsung, and i hate to admit it, but i give credit where it’s due. i think this is a good idea for a circular watch face, regardless of where they got their idea (click wheel, nest, etc.)…. i like the idea of it as an alternative to the digital crown. the execution of this idea, however, remains to be seen.
right but that is just applicable for Circular Shape unlike Apple Watch where it is not possible.
It is common for that kind of devices (nest, … )
Reminds me of the old iPod interface.
While the rotating dial might be good for some remote functionality I see a user’s fingers obscuring parts of the screen during quick access. The round screen still doesn’t make sense to reading anything more than a short line or two.
I don’t think the user’s fingers would obscure things any more than they do with the Digital Crown. You don’t have to put your hand over the center of the watch to twist it. Just look at the diagram in the post, for instance.
Classic Samscum. Wait till Apple comes out with something/anything, copy it while trying to make it seem as if it’s their own idea.
I knew samscum or some other company was going to do this rotating bezel thing after seeing the presentation for Apple watch.
It’s essentially the Apple crown, just rotated sideways and bigger :P; it’s just different enough to avoid a lawsuit. And i’m sure the interface is just different enough as well.
I bet “their spiel” is just going to be the same as Apple’s: “We didn’t want to clutter the screen so we came up with a revolutionary (no pun intended :P) user interface”.
Here’s the timeline:
• Tim Cook on the All things D interview (2012 I think) pointed to his nike fuel band, said that wearables were of great interest to us. One sentence.
• Few weeks later Samscum announces they were gonna make watches.
• Few weeks/months later they came up with their retarded Galaxy gear watches. Total flop due to coming out before Apple and not have anything to copy off
• Few months more, came up with another Galaxy gear crap, slightly better design because of customer complaints, but still essentially still crap and flop.
• Apple announces their watch. Samscum hurriedly scurries home, blatantly copies the design, and assigns all their engineers to modify it to avoid lawsuit
• ???
• Profit!
few weeks later? First Samsung Smart Watch were released in late 90’s, when Apple was about to drown
Or maybe, just maybe the idea for the rotating bezel comes from the rotating bezel that has been used in watches for a long time. I mean when the article gives you a link to a watch with a rotating bezel the most obvious answer is staring you in the face. It’s pretty obvious where they got the idea of a rotating bezel. You should look up the meaning of the word blatant. Based on your use of it, it doesn’t mean what you think it does.
This isn’t an Watch ripoff but I don’t get why everyone is peeing their pants over it as you rightly point out rotating bezels have existed in watches for a long time.
Rogifan
Rotating Bezels have existed in watches for a long time, and funny enough so have crowns.
You’re missing a key point on your timeline. Samsung didn’t make the decision to build watches because of Tim Cook’s statement. A company doesn’t create a whole new product line in a few weeks like that.
Second, you say that Samsung is “blatantly” copying the Apple Watch’s design. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The watch looks nothing like Apple’s. In fact, the original Gear looked more like the Apple Watch than the unreleased next-gen model. This will be the first Gear watch with a round display—a completely different design that bears no similarity to Apple’s square display.
Furthermore, the idea that this bezel is a copy of the Digital Crown is just plain silly. The *only* thing it has in common with the Digital Crown is that it is a circle which rotates. It’s very hard to fit an input on a device that ISN’T a rotating circle, so of course it’s going to be that.
If you want to talk about copying, take a look at the “force press” screen in some of Apple’s first-party watch apps. They feature round white icons with dark glyphs and white labels. There are VERY, VERY similar screens in Android Wear… except Android Wear has been around much longer than Watch OS and had that design first.
The fact that Samsung came up with this idea after Apple’s digital crown and not before is suspect. After all Samsung introduced their smart watches way ahead of Apple. Why only now? This is what, Samsung’s smart watch sixth or seventh version? They may not be copying Apple exactly, but I’m certain it was Apple’s digital crown that inspired Samsung to do this. I am also doubly sure that if Samsung wasn’t worried about lawsuits they would have created a digital crown like Apple Watch.
It’s a good compromise considering what Apple did with the crown and the fact that why can’t just copy that (at least not legally).
The thing that jumps out at me though, is that if those hands are drawn to scale, this is a Watch with a 4″ diameter face minimum. It’s more the size of a small clock than it is a watch.
Says 1.18″. That’s more like the smaller images (Jessica White sized circle)
Yeah, but based on the picture, if the watch is 1.8″ then those are small baby hands or doll hands. My point being that in reality, turning this dial is a lot more “fiddly” than they are making out.
Good to see they haven’t just done the usual ‘copy Apple’ and it’s a sensible enough attempt at a watch control. My only concerns would be the size of the watch to make this viable, if they’re squeezing in GPS and the kitchen sink, the LG Urbane is not pretty for example, and the engineering would need to be robust on that bezel given the work out it’s going to get. Be nice to see Sammy come up with something good for once to keep the market, and Apple, on their toes, but, well, that’s probably not going to happen :-)
This might not be a direct ripoff of the Digital Crown, but I’d certainly consider it derivative (and my old Timex watch had a rotating bezel, but it was something to do with using the sun to find north). It’s a pretty neat idea though if you’re determined to stick with a round display, but I still think it’s not as practical as a rectangular display.
Click wheel on the watch is a terrible idea for one reason: scroll inertia. If you ever used Nest to adjust temperature you would notice that its easy to scroll through a desired temp by one or two degrees, and that is with a unit being on the wall. When this will on your wrist, little adjustments that you want to make will end up over and under adjusted with wheel being scrolled. Digital crown is small, so its scrolling inertial is small as well, allowing for a precise adjustments. Once again, Shumacsung designed flashy but useless piece of hardware.
Yep it all comes down to execution. Some things might look great on paper but in real life turn out not to be so great. We’ll see how well this works IRL.
I think it’s brilliant.
“Samsung STOP ripping off from Moto 360 and Apple!”
hmmm, not sure if it works like shown in that illustrations (two finger handling)
– to manipulate e.g. the Nest thermostat which looks more like a big button and will work there
– on a wrist … depends on how smooth it is to maybe just use only one finger, too (?)
but really not sure about the text input thing?
(Haha, like unlocking Samsung Pay – Safe : )
Just try the movement on your wrist. Then you’ll know that it’s gonna be a terrible user experience. A digital crown is much easier and user friendly. There is a reason why there is a crown for more than 150 years on a watch.
I just tried it and I don’t see the problem. Rotating bezels like this have been part of watches for a long time, too. Crowns are not the only piece of the watch that’s old.
Hmm, I am not so deep in “the history of rotating watch bezels” – but isn’t it used (mainly(?) for something like timer or so? (at least – turn the ring is what you want to adjust)
– in the “samsung approach” it seams more different: rotate to manipulate content on screen (partly covered by the fingers/hand(?) vs. manipulate just the ring ??
(just a thought – not sure about this:)
Probably you can rotate it maximum 240° degrees in one time (if you’re obscuring the display). A digital crown you can rotate at least 4x 360° + the screen isn’t obscured
The digital crown will always be better. It allows for easier one-finger operation without obstructing the screen, and its rotation direction is more logical regarding the scrolling direction and value adjustments on screen.
Additionally, it has been integrated in the software in a way that makes it really hard for devs to avoid it in their apps, making for a more consistent utility behavior.
i’m sure you could rotate this with one finger too….just saying. You’re right about the logical scrolling direction though
Well, nice. I gotta admit this is way more appealing to me way more than the Apple’s digital crown. Let’s see what else they’ll come up with.
I’d say this is likely “better” than the digital crown as I would assume it is sturdier than a protruding knob however, I am not a fan of round watch face for a smart watch due to it making reading text just awkward so ultimately not as good in the long run.
This is an exact carbon copy of the DC in a different presentation. Instead of a little nob on a side, let’s make a big wheel and put it on the front, but let’s keep functionality and control exactly the same, alas!! Samsung Crown is born. Still a rip off, but a subtle one.
“exact carbon copy… in a different presentation”
This is just… huh?
Neat Idea but only works on a round face watch. Does this mean Samsung is restricting itself to round faces? Or will they develop another system for square face which means two different interfaces for their watches?
With Apple ‘Crown’ it works both on a Round and Square face.
The Apple fanboys are really grasping at straws in this comment section, lol. Not everything is a “copy” of Apple. You guys do realize that mostly all of the things that you THINK are innovative were being enjoyed by us Android users 2 years before Apple “invented” them. I’ve been “tapping to pay” since 2011, I’ve had my Moto 360 since September of 2014, and I can actually use my digital voice assistant because Google Now is actually useful. None of the Apple users I know actually utilize Siri beyond the Thanksgiving dinner table parlor tricks. Some of you have been so far up Apple’s ass for so long that you don’t realize what an innovative and wonderful platform Android has become. Apple makes some very nice pieces of hardware and there’s no arguing that. Apple’s industrial design is top notch. I love my Macbook and earlier this year I purchased an iPhone 6 Plus. WIthin 90 days, I sold it and went back to Android. Using iOS after being on Android for 3 years was like stepping backwards into a time machine. It was like using a “Smartphone on training wheels”. The hardware is gorgeous but iOS has some inexplicable quirks and iCloud is a complete joke. I especially loved that in order to have all of your photos available “in the cloud”, I had have enough space ON MY PHONE to accommodate the entire collection. This is just beyond stupid. Similar issue to report with iTunes. When I switched to iOS in January, I paid for iTunes Match thinking it would be the same as having Google Play Music on my Android. Then, I found out that I had no control over music being cached onto my phone’s drive, rapidly eating more and more disk space. Of course you don’t have any control, cause it’s Apple, and they “know what’s best for you”. And within 2 weeks of purchasing the iPhone, you’ve maxed out disk space and can’t even install an OS update.
Hey guys, to each his own, if you like iPhones, great. But MANY of you need to consider that everything Android OEMs, even Samsung, do IS NOT copying. These are smartphones and watches we are talking about here, there’s only so much that be done to differentiate them, physically and functionally.
Many of you guys need to get past the concept that Android phones are “cheap knockoffs” for poor people. I buy a new phone once a year, usually, and I pay full price so as to not be locked into anything. I can afford an iPhone, my Galaxy S6 was LITERALLY the same price as the iPhone 6. The HTC One M9 is LITERALLY the same price as the iPhone. Yes, there are cheap Android handsets out there and yes, financially strapped people do buy them but some of you just need to realize that many people, like myself, buy Android phones because we have tried iOS and came away very underwhelmed.
Glad you love Android. it would be a sad world when there was no competition anymore. But you are completely wrong about that you have no control about the music from iTunes Match synced to your iPhone. An Apple fan (and sometimes a hater)
It’s great, and looks good.
I can’t believe the 9to5mac community of circlejerks saying – “oh terrible, it’s not innovation”, “ripping off apple”, “round face is shit – I can’t see my photos”, “apple watch is the first watch with its own unique features – like a screen, HR, wireless charging, a strap, a battery that can’t last a day”, “it’s not as easy to use as the crown”
I’m an Apple fan but I’ve got to say this is a great idea. Kudos Samsung.