Latest data released by IDC indicates that the global shipments of wearable devices reached 32 million units in the third quarter of 2018, up 21.7% from the previous year. The data shows that the astronomical rise in shipments YoY is due to a sporadic increase in the number of new wearable devices OEMs introduced during the quarter. Specifically, new products from the likes of Fitbit, Garmin, and Huawei were shown to have helped the basic wearables category return to growth during the quarter.

The data also showed that growing demand in markets like Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) was another driving factor and this accounted for more than half of all shipments. The growth in these markets was up to 21.4% higher than the previous year, according to IDC. The US market transitioning from one driven by new users to one that relies on replacement devices and upgrades and so, the market declines 0.4% Year on Year.

In the third quarter under review, Xiaomi grabbed the top position, thanks to the success of the Mi Band 3 and its significant expansion beyond its home country of China. Though typically China accounts for well over 80% of Xiaomi’s shipment volume, this quarter that share fell to 61% as the company managed to grow its presence in other markets such as India, Europe, and Middle East and Africa.

Closely following, is Apple which managed to launch its Series 4 Watch, its first watch approved for medical use, towards the end of the quarter. The new design and sizes along with the latest version of Watch OS were welcome changes although the latest series only accounted for less than 20% of all Apple Watch shipments. The reduced price on the still affable Series 3 accounted for the majority of Apple’s shipments during the quarter.

On the third spot is Fitbit whose latest devices, including the Versa, Charge 3, and the Ace, helped the company slow its decline compared to previous quarters. The success of the Versa catapulted the company back into reckoning as the second largest smartwatch vendor. IDC expects this to continue in the near term. Furthermore, Huawei edged Samsung to maintain its number four position worldwide but the majority of the firm’s wearable devices were sold in China. On the other hand, the Honor sub-brand introduced a new set of earphones that tracks heart rate during workouts.

Read Also: Supply chain analysis reveals how Samsung managed to make a foldable smartphone

The fifth spot is occupied by Samsung which stretched its lead past other contenders. Samsung’s product arsenal isn’t too broad and it relies on the Gear S3 and Fear Fit wristbands to drive sales volumes. The company also launched its next-generation smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch, marking the first time that a wearable device moved away from its traditional “Gear” moniker to the “Galaxy” sub-brand, alongside its smartphones and tablets.

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Samsung has a new wearable device in works which seems to be a hybrid of a fitness tracker and a smartwatch. The features of this mysterious wearable tech that have been revealed by Samsung hints that it is not the forthcoming Gear S4 smartwatch.

The information on this device has appeared through a survey email that Samsung has sent out through its SmartLab Plus program. Through the survey, Samsung is seeking ideas on the taglines that can be used to advertise its forthcoming product. In the survey email, Samsung has revealed that this new product offers some of the best features from Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch and Gear Fit 2 fitness band.

Samsung has further stated that the new wearable device appears like a smartwatch instead of an activity tracker. It will be arriving with a small-sized body and slimmer watch bands. The device will be equipped with user-replaceable bands which will allow customers to personalize its appeal.

Read More: Samsung SM-R365, the Alleged Gear Fit 2 Pro Receives FCC Approval; Launch Seems Imminent

It will be a water-resistant device that will let users wear it even while swimming. Some of the other features that will be available on this wearable device are activity tracking, active sports, weight management, calorie management and coaching. These features will not only appeal beginners but also fitness experts.

It will be coming with a revamped UI with enhanced widgets for glanceable information for viewing the progress of fitness goals. Smart inactivity alert is another feature of this mysterious smart device that will remind its users to be active when doing a sedentary job. Since the email is seeking opinions on taglines for this upcoming wearable tech, Samsung is also asking the recipients of the email to consider the taglines of its other smartwatches and fitness trackers.

The email does not contain any information on when Samsung will be releasing this new device. Samsung sells its smartwatches as Gear S products whereas its fitness trackers are sold as Gear Fit products. There is no confirmation on whether the new product will belong to any of these branding or it will be introduced under a new brand name.

(source)

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New patent filings have revealed that Samsung may release two new smartwatches in the near future. One of them is expected to feature a foldable screen.

Smartwatch sales are plummeting and in order to attract smartphone makers are aiming to provide new and innovative features. Patently Mobile reports that the South Korean company has registered for two new patents for smartwatch with US Patent and Trademark Office.

The first one that features a regular display seems to be a fitness oriented device. The strap of the device is enabled with sensors. When the strap is moved sideways, its sensors can measure angle and position. Its screen can accordingly display UI elements.

An additional strap for the device can be seen for extended input control. The patent documents, the device can be used in multiple ways such as wrapping it around users’ neck and by hanging it over different objects.

Related: Samsung Files Patent for Bendable Smartphone Display

The other one appears to be a foldable wearable that can turn into a bracelet as it features a wide band flexible display. The South Korean company has been working on it since 2013.

The publication is of the view that even though the company is pegged to launch a smartphone with foldable display, it may surprise its fans by introducing a superior smartphone with a bendable display that can allow it to function like a smartphone. Rumors have it that these two may be the variants of the upcoming Samsung Gear 4.

In the previous month, a patent of Samsung’s concept phone with foldable display was revealed. It showed that the display could be bent in the center to use it like a flip phone. The patent was granted for it by USPTO.

An interesting thing about the concept phone is that its display can bend automatically when a certain amount of voltage to either of the two electrodes layer that are respectively present on the upper and lower ends of the foldable display.

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