Images of Samsung’s (News - Alert) latest fitness tracker watch have reportedly leaked. While the watch itself looks to be nothing more than a slightly stylized version of Samsung’s current model, the Samsung Gear S2, there is one major twist.
Images also surfaced of a small, round metal piece that attaches to the wearer’s chest. As of now, no new information has been released regarding what the function of this secondary piece is, though there has been speculation galore.
One popular opinion is that this piece is a more accurate heart rate sensor. Many fitness tracker watches currently on the market use a sensor in the underside of the watch (the side that is face down on the wearer’s wrist) to measure the wearer’s heart rate, and while the technology has been improving, there have still been many reported inaccuracies. Many hardcore runners use a chest mounted sensor to more accurately measure their heart rate, so some believe that this is the purpose of Samsung’s new chest piece.
However, some have also pointed out that a heart rate sensor would be more accurate if worn under the shirt, in contact with the skin (the released photos show it worn on the outside of the shirt). Another possibility is that it is an additional sensor aimed at making the step counting function of the fitness watch more accurate. These watches can sometimes count false steps if the wearer moves their arm in a certain way without taking a step. Using two sensors working in conjunction would mitigate this effect and give the wearer a much more accurate reading.
All of this speculation will probably continue until the Mobile World Congress (News - Alert) in Barcelona in late February. It is here that Samsung is expected to officially unveil there as yet unnamed smart watch, as well as a host of other products.
Edited by Kyle Piscioniere
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