Samsung Gear S release date in October: Watch features and specs prove the wearable to be extra 'smart'

Samsung Gear S smartwatch[Photo credit: Samsung]

Last Aug. 28, Samsung officially announced their latest addition to the company's "developing wearable category," particularly the Samsung Gear S. Previously termed as the Samsung Gear Solo, the upcoming smartwatch has been slotted for an official unveiling this October.

According to Samsung's IT & Mobile Communication CEO J.K. Shin, the company is seeking to make innovative approaches to further expand the lineup of devices belonging to the ready-to-wear category.

"The Samsung Gear S redefines the idea of the smart wearable and the culture of mobile communication," Shin commented. "It will let consumers live a truly connected life anywhere, anytime."

The Samsung Gear S is expected to support file sharing and voice calling as well as to enhance connectivity among athletes and extreme sport enthusiasts who do not prefer to carry a phone around. Nike + Running and other workout apps as well as health, weather, and news apps can also be integrated into the device. According to Samsung, more than 1,000 apps are available for and can be used with the Gear S. 

PC Advisor has reported that the upcoming smartwatch will be powered by a 30-mAh Li-ion battery that can last for up to two days. A heart-rate monitor and UV sensor are incorporated into the water- and dust-resistant device. The smartwatch will come with a 4 GB internal memory, 512 MB of RAM and a dual-core 1.0 GHz processor. It will also run on the Tizen operating system, also by Samsung.

In addition, the Gear S is expected to come with a barometer, compass, gyroscope and pedometer. In terms of connectivity, the smartwatch will not require the use of a phone — it supports 2G, 3G and wireless connectivity along with GPS, USB 2.0 and Bluetooth 4.1

While the Samsung Gear S is known to take on a rectangular design with a 2-inch Super AMOLED display, a stylish, curved model has also been developed. 

Samsung Gear S smartwatch[Photo credit: Samsung]