The G Watch, above, is equipped with Google’s voice recognition service and can perform simple tasks including checking email, sending text messages and carrying out an online search at users’ voice command. Elijah Nouvelage / Reuters
The G Watch, above, is equipped with Google’s voice recognition service and can perform simple tasks including checking email, sending text messages and carrying out an online search at users’ voice cShow more

Business

Samsung, LG launch smartwatches with new Google software

Samsung’s Gear Live and LG’s G Watch — both powered by Android Wear — are the first devices to adopt the new Google software specifically designed for wearables.

AFP

June 26, 2014

South Korea's Samsung and LG on Thursday launched rival smartwatches powered by Google's new software as they jostle to lead an increasingly competitive market for wearable devices seen as the mobile industry's next growth booster.

Samsung’s “Gear Live” and LG’s “G Watch” — both powered by Android Wear — are the first devices to adopt the new Google software specifically designed for wearables.

G Watch — LG’s first smartwatch — is also equipped with Google’s voice recognition service and can perform simple tasks including checking email, sending text messages and carrying out an online search at users’ voice command.

The two devices cannot make phone calls by themselves but can be connected to many of the latest Android-based smartphones, the South Korean companies said in separate statements.

Samsung and LG are the world’s top and fourth-largest smartphone maker, respectively.

A typical smartwatch allows users to make calls, receive texts and e-mails, take photos and access apps.

G Watch opened Thursday for online pre-order in 12 countries including the United States, France and Japan before hitting stores in 27 more including Brazil and Russia in early July.

Gear Live was also available for online pre-order Thursday.

The launches come as global handset and software makers step up efforts to diversify from the saturated smartphone sector to wearable devices.

Samsung introduced its Android-based Galaxy Gear smartwatch last year but it was given a lukewarm reception by consumers.

The second edition, Gear II, was unveiled in February and based on Samsung’s own Tizen softwear in a move to break free of its heavy reliance on Google’s Android platform.

Samsung's arch rival Apple is believed to be set to launch its own smartwatch soon, while Google is moving towards a wide consumer launch of its eyewear Google Glass later this year.

Chinese smartphone maker Huawei also unveiled a connected watch called TalkBand.

Global smartwatch sales are expected to grow this year by more than 500 percent from 1.9 million units in 2013, according to the market researcher Strategic Analytics.

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THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now

Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.

The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.

1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):

a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33

b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.

2. For those who have worked more than five years

c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.

Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.

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