Over the past few months it has been rumored multiple times that Samsung is working on a new Gear smartwatch which will have a round design. The smartwatch is reportedly codenamed Orbis and while it was expected to be unveiled at MWC 2015, Samsung apparently decided against it because it wanted to take the extra time to deliver what it considers to be the perfect smartwatch. The company has confirmed today though that its next Gear smartwatch is going to have a round design.
The confirmation comes through a Samsung press release that talks about a new software development kit for the next Gear smartwatch. Samsung is going to release the SDK before it releases the product.
The teaser image included in the press release shows a round watch face as well as apps with round UI from major partners like CNN, Yelp and Baidu.
It makes sense for Samsung to release the SDK for this smartwatch before it arrives because it will be a major change for developers to create apps with round user interface, something which they haven’t done before for Samsung’s smartwatches.
Samsung wouldn’t be the only one with a round smartwatch. Motorola already has one, so does LG and even Huawei. However it will certainly be interesting to see the company’s take on a round smartwatch.
The company has not yet confirmed when it intends to unveil the next Gear smartwatch.
Filed in . Read more about Samsung, Smartwatches and Wearable Tech.