‘Galaxy Gear’: Samsung files trademark application for its smartwatch

Check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy Gear smart watch.

Samsung has taken another step towards the launch of its first smartwatch after it was revealed the company recently filed a trademark application with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the name “Samsung Galaxy Gear”.

The filing, dated July 29, makes reference to “wearable digital electronic devices in the form of a wristwatch, wrist band or bangle capable of providing access to the Internet and for sending and receiving phone calls, electronic mails and messages.”

It also makes mention of “wearable electronic handheld devices in the form of a wristwatch, wrist band or bangle for the wireless receipt, storage and/or transmission of data and messages and for keeping track of or managing personal information; smart phones; tablet computers; portable computers.”

In other words, a smartwatch.

Following months of speculation, a Samsung executive admitted back in March that the Korean electronics giant was busy building a high-tech wristwatch. At that time it was thought it might be called the Altius, though Samsung Gear was also suggested. News of this latest trademark filing appears to confirm the Korean company is going with the latter.

Smartwatches on the horizon

It’s looking more and more likely that the next 18 months will see many of the industry’s big hitters – Apple and Google included – launching wrist-based computers that pair with handsets as companies look for the next big thing in an industry where PC sales are falling and segments of the smartphone market appear to be reaching saturation point.

Apple has been filing trademark applications in a number of countries to secure the iWatch name, while patent drawings from Google appear to show it’s looking into the idea of a smartwatch with not one but two touchscreen displays.

Sony already has a smartwatch on the market – a gadget that has received mixed reviews – while Kickstarter success Pebble has already established itself as a frontrunner in the sector with its popular device.

A release date for Samsung’s watch hasn’t been set, but now we appear to have a name, the necessary pieces are starting to fall into place.

[via TechHive]