Samsung patent suggests smartwatch with flexible screen is coming

A patent awarded to Samsung by the Korea Institute of Patent Information just might give away some details about the smartwatch being developed by the Korean OEM. The watch is expected to be unveiled on September 4th, along with the Samsung Galaxy Note III, just prior to the IFA show in Berlin. The model number of the device in the patent, SM-V700, matches the model number recently mentioned in rumors about the watch. The rumors also included a possible name for the smartwatch line, Samsung Gear. In addition, the SM-V700 model number has also been seen on an Indian website that deals with logistics. The site shows that the SM-V700 was shipped by Samsung for R&D reasons.

Now that we've tied these patents to the possible release of a new Samsung smartwatch, we should tell you what the patents reveal. According to the documents, the Samsung smartwatch will feature a speaker and microphone (natch!), a USB port, and back and menu buttons. The most interesting part of the patent leak is that it hints that we could see a flexible display. Of course, just because a certain technology is listed on a patent doesn't necessarily mean that it is ready to be used on a real-life product.

Remembering the advantage that Apple had for years in the tablet market since it seemed to create the product itself with the launch of the OG iPad, Samsung is in a race to get its smartwatch out before Apple launches the iWatch. Smartwatches are not a new product of course, but this generation of the product is expected to offer more extensive smartphone-type functionality.


source: SamMobile via AndroidAuthority