Differences in Similarity
Apple joined the smart watch competition to vie with Samsung Electronics and Google. The three companies’ smart watches have similar functions and concepts, but take different approaches. Keen attention is being paid to which one will win the race.
The common features include heart rate sensors, accelerometers, GPS, gyroscopes, voice commands, text messaging, and voice calls. Both those of Samsung Electronics and Apple are approaching the market in partnership with the fashion industry, too.
However, the three companies’ products are somewhat different in nature. For instance, the concept of the iWatch is an individually-tailored watch. It is 38 mm by 42 mm and the three versions of Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and Apple Watch Edition will be available. These use stainless steel, silver aluminum, 18K yellow gold, space black stainless steel, space gray aluminum, and 18K rose gold with the six types of straps of link bracelet, plastic sports band, leather loop, classic buckle design, modern buckle design, and Milanese loop. The 11 basic screens reflect users’ preferences as well. It is a highly-customizable piece of jewelry.
Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics is emphasizing that its Galaxy Gear watches are smart gadgets that are capable of running on their own. The Gear S, which was unveiled on Sept. 3, comes with a SIM card so that it can provide 3G communication even when disconnected from a smartphone.
Google, in the meantime, is focusing on the concept of an auxiliary device for a smartphone. Unlike Samsung Electronics and Apple, Google allows its Android Wear to interwork with any device running on Android 4.3 OS. The idea is to maintain its presence as an open platform provider in the wearable device sector as well.
Another difference is that Apple focuses on the conventional functions of watches, whereas Google and Samsung Electronics put emphasis on smart features. Samsung Electronics scaled back the user interface of its smartphone onto the watch screen, while Apple reshaped the user interface to be suitable for its watch and left a side dial as found in an analog watch as it is. The dial is used to magnify or reduce the screen.