Speculations about Samsung’s next generation smartwatch have been on in full swing for some time now. We’ve already learned from those leaks that it will have a circular face instead of the rectangular ones that the current generation devices come with. We’ve also learned about the rotating bezel that could be assigned special functions just like Apple watch’s digital crown. Also according to those reports, the upcoming device, codenamed ‘Orbis’ will actually be officially marketed as Gear A, and is said to be made available in two variants, one with voice calling support along with Wi-Fi and the other with just Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Now there are reports stating that Samsung will team up with luxury brand Swarovski to make bands and accessories for the said device.
This should come as no surprise for people in the know, as this is not the first time Samsung has teamed up with Swarovski for such accessories. Last year, the two companies came together to work on a number of products as part of the “Swarovski for Samsung” campaign, including Galaxy S5 cases and Gear Fit accessories. Swarovski had also produced some limited edition Crystal covers for the Galaxy Note 3 and a crystal encrusted strap for the Gear S.
In addition to Swarovski, Samsung has reportedly also been working with brands like Z Zenga, Tech21, Anymode and Incipio as also Miami based artist Romero Britto. What exactly their briefs are and what exactly their inputs will be might still be unclear at this point, but it’s pretty clear that Samsung is leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to better compete with Apple, who’ve reportedly already sold almost two and a half million of their first generation Apple Watches in just a few weeks, which is far and beyond the total number of smartwatches sold by all other smartwatch manufacturers put together in the whole of 2014. There is no concrete time-frame for the release of the Gear A smartwatch from Samsung, but previous leaks have pointed at a pre-Christmas release to take advantage of the holiday shopping season in the US.