Lee Young-hee Samsung’s executive VP has revealed that the company may launch the Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone in April. He added that the company is considering iris-scanning technology as an added security feature in the S5 to compete with Apple’s iPhone.
Lee stated that Samsung is also planning to release a new version of the Galaxy Gear smartwatch with advanced features and improved design along with the smartphone to boost sales.
“We’ve been announcing our first flagship model in the first half of each year, around March and April, and we are still targeting for release around that time,” Lee said. “When we release our S5 device, you can also expect a Gear successor with more advanced functions, and the bulky design will also be improved.”
He added, “Many people are fanatical about iris recognition technology,” Lee said at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. “We are studying the possibility.”
Samsung which sells one of every three smartphones globally is fending for market share against Apple’s high end devices as well as Asia’s budget devices. With wearable technology devices on the rise, the company also plans to launch at least one more wearable device this year, Lee added. Samsung recently registered new eye glasses that can display information from a smartphone and can also make calls.
LG is reportedly working on new wearable offerings including G-Arch smartwatch and a G-health fitness band that may be launched with the LG G3 at the Mobile world congress in Feb. According to recent reports Kinect’s co-creator Alex Kipman is also working on Microsoft’s wearable technology. According to rumors Microsoft is working on a smartwatch with a 1.5 inch display screen, a Google glass like eyewear and a surface connector.
Source: Bloomberg