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View Full Version : Samsung Galaxy Gear changes gear hitting 800,000 sales in two months



wraggster
November 19th, 2013, 23:17
The smartwatch surpasses not just ours, but Samsung’s expectations.
Samsung has announced that its companion device, the Galaxy Gear has become the world’s most popular smartwatch, selling 800,000 units since its release in September, reports Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/19/us-samsung-gear-idUSBRE9AI0AU20131119?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews).
Many people had low expectations of the device, saying that it had little to no compelling features.
Even the South Korean-based firm admitted to being surprised by the amount sold, after starting of its life on a bumpy road, being shunned by pretty much everybody. (http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/samsung-galaxy-gear-the-smartwatch-is-here-and-waiting-time-is-over/022298)
The best aspect of the device at the time was the fantasticnostalgia-inducing adverts that included the likes of the Power Rangers, Star Trek, and Predator. (http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/video-star-trek-predator-power-rangers-nope-just-the-galaxy-gear/022523)
This must have paid off; either that or we are all simply a sucker for a new toy – or both.
The device currently only has about 70 dedicated applications, causing market expectations to be weak. UK retailer Phones4U were even giving the Gear away for free to anyone purchasing the Galaxy Note3 on contract earlier this month.
Best Buy in the US also reported that the smartwatch was suffering from 30 per cent return rates.
Despite this, the $300 device has fought through and certainly been resilient in a market that was initially against it.
Samsung said in a statement: “It’s the most sold wearable watch available in the market place, and we plan to expand its availability by expanding mobile devices that work with the Gear.”
If the previously rumoured Galaxy Gear 2 (http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/samsung-galaxy-gear-2-the-companion-to-the-companion-device/022366) comes into fruition, or if Apple ever unveils its long awaited wearable device after reporting hard engineering problems (http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/apple-iwatch-thought-to-suffer-hard-engineering-problems/021892), there will be a lot to contend with, and a tough crowd to convince.

http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/samsung-galaxy-gear-changes-gear-hitting-800-000-sales-in-two-months/022867