Samsung Gear Blink Could Challenge Google Glass in 2015
Samsung just introduced a new way to experience virtual reality with the Gear VR, but that might not be the only high-tech headset in the company's pipeline. The Korean tech giant is purportedly prepping a "Gear Glass" that could take on Google's head-mounted wearable by March 2015.
According to a report from Tizen Experts, the Gear Glass (or Gear Blink, as some outlets are calling it) may launch next spring to coincide with Samsung's Galaxy S6. A filing from the Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS) reveals some of Blink's potential features, including an augmented reality app that turns your hands into a virtual keyboard. The patent images show both one-handed and two-handed variations of this keyboard, with specific letters that correspond to different portions of your finger.
MORE: Will Wearables Replace Your Smartphone?
Other patent images hint at Blink's potential design, which looks like a more sporty take on Google's head-mounted display. One sketch shows an earbud surrounded by an ear clip, with a Glass-like translucent display that sticks out in front of the user's eye. We also see what appears to be a microUSB cable for charging.
Like Samsung's Gear S smartwatch, the Gear Blink is expected to run a form of Tizen OS. We don't know how exactly Blink would work with Gear watches or Galaxy phones, but connectivity between the devices seems like a given.
We haven't received any official word on a Samsung AR headset, but we wouldn't be surprised to see one soon. The company has been going all-in on mobile innovation, with the Samsung Gear VR headset, the curved, second-screen Galaxy Edge Phone and the standalone Gear S smartwatch all surfacing during the recent Samsung Unpacked event. Could an all-out attack on Google Glass be next? Stay tuned.
Source: Tizen Experts
Mike Andronico is an associate editor at Tom's Guide. He's ready for the AR takeover. Follow Mike @MikeAndronico. Follow us @TomsGuide, on Facebook.
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