The Samsung Olympic Showcases are specifically designed to celebrate the excitement of the Youth Olympic Games, enabling visitors to create, capture and share their own experiences through activities that help spread #DoWhatYouCant to a young audience.

Over 5,000 daily visitors visited the two Samsung Olympic Showcases, which opened to the public in Buenos Aires – one at the Youth Olympic Park and the other at Abasto Mall – enabling everyone to establish meaningful connections through different experiences, and interact with Samsung’s latest technology, including Galaxy S9 and S9+, Galaxy Tab S4 and Gear IconX – paired with Galaxy S9 and S9+.

Candelaria Costa, a local student from Buenos Aires, said, “The Samsung Olympic Showcase has a lot of fun activities that keep everyone entertained. I just finished the Galaxy Fitness Cycling Challenge against my friend, and I liked it a lot. I also experienced virtual reality for the first time and now I’m a big fan!”

Young Olympic fans race each other at the Galaxy Fitness Cycling Challenge while visiting the Samsung Olympic Showcase at the Olympic Park in Buenos Aires during the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018.

Young Olympic fans receive Samsung-themed eco bags and participate in the Samsung Pin promotion by completing a variety of interactive experiences while visiting the Samsung Olympic Showcase at the Olympic Park in Buenos Aires during the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018.

Young Olympic fans participate in the Super Slow-mo Football Challenge and embrace the Olympic Spirit while visiting the Samsung Olympic Showcase at the Olympic Park in Buenos Aires during the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018.

Young Olympic fans are all smiles as they experience the high-speed thrill of Winter Ride 4D motion virtual reality at the Samsung Olympic Showcase at the Olympic Park in Buenos Aires during the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018. The film is displayed through the Samsung Galaxy smartphone and compatible Gear VR.

Young Olympic fans stop by the Samsung Olympic Showcase during their visit to the Olympic Park in Buenos Aires during the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018. In collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Samsung sponsored the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Pass giving the public free access to all competitions as well as more than 1,200 cultural activities.

Young Olympic fans learn more about Samsung’s mobile technology at the Interactive Table at the Samsung Olympic Showcase at the Olympic Park in Buenos Aires during the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018.

Young Olympic fans show off their soccer skills as they experience Shoot-out motion virtual reality at the Samsung Olympic Showcase at the Olympic Park in Buenos Aires during the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018. The experience is displayed through the Samsung Galaxy smartphone and compatible Gear VR.

About the Youth Olympic Games

The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are an international multi-sport event for young athletes between 15 and 18 years old of an educational and cultural nature, with the objective of promoting Olympic values ​​in Youth. The celebration of the event, which takes place every four years (in its two editions, winter and summer, which take place alternately every two years), is promoted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 will take place between October 6 and 18 and will involve 4,000 athletes from 206 countries.

About Samsung’s Involvement in the Olympic Games

Samsung began its Olympic Games involvement as a local sponsor of Olympic Games Seoul 1988. Beginning with Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998, the company extended its commitment to the Olympic Movement as the Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, providing its proprietary wireless communications platform and mobile devices. These innovative mobile technologies provide the Olympic Community, athletes and fans around the world with interactive communications and information services. Samsung hosts various Olympic campaigns to share the excitement of the Olympic Games with people around the world and enable everyone to participate in the Games through its innovative mobile technology. Samsung’s commitment as a Worldwide Olympic Partner continues through to Tokyo 2020 in the Wireless Communications Equipment and Computing Equipment category.

“The belief that the world holds endless possibilities begins at a young age, which makes it even more important that we support the youth of today who are pushing the limits to #DoWhatYouCant,” said Younghee Lee, CMO and Executive Vice President, Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is committed to the Olympic Movement and we’re looking forward to providing exciting experiences powered by our latest technology to young fans at Buenos Aires 2018.”

To celebrate the Youth Olympic Games, Samsung is offering immersive and interactive visitor experiences at the Samsung Olympic Showcases, which highlight the latest wireless communications products and technologies, including Galaxy S9 and S9+, Gear IconX – paired with Galaxy S9 and S9+ and Galaxy Tab S4. For twelve days, two showcases will be open to the public in Buenos Aires – one at the Youth Olympic Park and the other at Abasto Mall–enabling everyone to participate in the Youth Olympic Games through Samsung’s innovative mobile technology.

Samsung Olympic Showcase located in Youth Olympic Park (left) and Samsung Olympic Showcase located in Abasto Mall

During the Youth Olympic Games, fans, athletes and visitors of the Samsung Olympic Showcases will be able to interact with Samsung’s latest technology and establish meaningful connections through a variety of activities, including:

• Experiential Activations: Fans and consumers will be exposed to comprehensive and accessible experiences powered by Samsung technology such as the Interactive Table, My Emoji Gallery, Super Slow-mo Football Challenge, and Galaxy Fitness.
• Immersive VR Experience: Unique 4D VR offerings powered by Galaxy S9 and S9+ will be available where fans can step outside their comfort zones with exhilarating Kayaking, Rowing, and Winter Ride experiences.
• Mobile Products and Accessories Experiences: The Samsung Olympic Showcases will provide opportunities to test out Samsung products including the Galaxy S9 and S9+, Gear IconX – paired with Galaxy S9 and S9+, and Galaxy Tab S4.

At the Samsung Olympic Showcases, fans will also have a chance to celebrate the Olympic Spirit, and participate in the Samsung Pin promotion by completing a variety of interactive experiences, and collect up to 7 specially designed sport and culture themed pins.

As part of its goal to spread the Olympic Spirit and to help fans participate in the biggest multisport and cultural celebration in the world, Samsung is distributing the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Pass at designated Samsung Stores. With the Pass, the public has access to the four Youth Olympic Parks and the competition stadiums, as well as more than 1,200 cultural activities free of charge. Nearly 600,000 requests for the Pass, which comes in the form of an electronic bracelet, have already been processed.

“Samsung’s many activations at the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 will allow all visitors to capture their unique experiences and share the Olympic Spirit around the world,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “By bringing its innovative technology to young athletes and fans from across the globe, Samsung is celebrating the power of sport.”

Samsung began its Olympic Games involvement as a local sponsor of the Olympic Games Seoul 1988, and extended its commitment to the Olympic Movement as a Worldwide Olympic Partner at the Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998. Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires2018 will be held October 6-18, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

For more information on Samsung’s latest products, please visit news.samsung.com/global and www.samsungmobilepress.com.

About the Youth Olympic Games

The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are an international multi-sport event for young athletes between 15 and 18 years old of an educational and cultural nature, with the objective of promoting Olympic values ​​in Youth. The celebration of the event, which takes place every four years (in its two editions, winter and summer, which take place alternately every two years), is promoted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 will take place between October 6 and 18 and will involve 4,000 athletes from 206 countries.

About Samsung’s Involvement in the Olympic Games

Samsung began its Olympic Games involvement as a local sponsor of Olympic Games Seoul 1988. Beginning with Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998, the company extended its commitment to the Olympic Movement as the Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, providing its proprietary wireless communications platform and mobile devices. These innovative mobile technologies provide the Olympic Community, athletes and fans around the world with interactive communications and information services. Samsung hosts various Olympic campaigns to share the excitement of the Olympic Games with people around the world and enable everyone to participate in the Games through its innovative mobile technology. Samsung’s commitment as a Worldwide Olympic Partner continues through to Tokyo 2020 in the Wireless Communications Equipment and Computing Equipment category.

Released on April 10, the fitness-focused earbuds’ latest software update makes it even easier for users to maximize workouts – introducing new ways to customize the listening experience and streamlining how users fill the device with their favorite ‘pump-up’ tracks.

For example, the Gear IconX’s new Equalizer feature allows users to quickly and easily adjust their audio’s frequency to optimal levels by choosing from five finely tuned presets: Bass Boost, Soft, Dynamic, Clear and Treble Boost.

The enhanced Ambient Sound function, meanwhile, enables users to specify exactly how much ambient sound they would like the earbuds to let in. This makes it easier for users to pay attention to sounds around them, which makes the function especially useful when running or cycling outdoors. When indoors, users may activate the earbuds’ new Voice Focus function, which amplifies the voices of those in their surroundings.

The Gear IconX’s standalone music playback and 4GB of built-in storage allow users to get in the zone during workouts without being weighed down by their phone. The update’s new Wireless Transfer feature enhances this functionality by streamlining how users manage their earbuds’ music library – removing the need for cables and allowing users to wirelessly add multiple tracks at once.

Gear IconX users may download the update via the Samsung Gear app.

Q. When it came to product planning, what were your priorities and which features were focused on to optimize the Gear IconX’s usability and functions?

Park: This is the second generation of the Gear IconX, and as such we took the time to really listened to user feedback to help us improve upon our first design.

A significant priority was to ensure that the Gear IconX is the best companion to smartphones it can be. We wanted to make sure that a smartphone paired to a Gear IconX would be able to provide better and more features and functions than it can with wired headphones.

For example, the earbuds can store and play tracks without being connected to a smartphone. We also designed the Standalone Running Coach with voice guide, which tracks your workout, coaches you by providing real-time updates on exercise and is seamlessly integrated into the Samsung Health app. In addition, holding a button will trigger voice command and those who have Samsung smartphones are able to directly transfer their songs to their Gear IconX while connected to Bluetooth.

Battery life was another key consideration for cord-free earbuds with lots of features. The Gear IconX can achieve up to five hours of music streaming via Bluetooth and seven hours of stand-alone music play. But even if users do run out of battery, the Gear IconX’s charging case is able to recharge the earbuds, so they can keep on going wherever the user takes them throughout the day. There’s also a Quick Charge function to provide that extra boost when needed.

Q. Were there any difficulties in achieving the ideal balance between form and function?

Park: There definitely needs to be a careful balance between form and function. We wanted to fulfill all user needs and the most difficult hurdle was overcoming the basic limitation of size. We worked hard to figure out how to provide a long battery life, without taking away from the design and size, as well as finding the optimum balance among various features.

Choi: Not having a display was another challenge. The product had to be intuitive and easy to use so that users wouldn’t have any trouble using and adjusting the settings and functions. There were months of discussions and refinements involved.

Q. In terms of design, how important was overall comfort?

Park: Well, everyone’s ears are shaped differently, but the design had to suit as many people as possible and a lot of effort was put in to ensure this. We conducted a lot of studies and sought out the most ergonomic design. Our chief concerns were about angles, ear-comfort, stability and fixedness even during high impact movement, and of course size. Since the IconX can now be used for longer than ever, we wanted to ensure that users had complete comfort throughout.

Q. What are the advantages of using a touchpad? Can you elaborate further about the process of designing one?

Park: Pressing keys requires a degree of force, which is quite uncomfortable for users while they are wearing earbuds. A touchpad eliminates the need for keys and suits the Gear IconX’s minimalist design.

Inputting through keys had to be limited in order to deliver all the functions and features that we wanted to provide.

Choi: Our designers call it the invisible UX – there’s no screen and it can’t be seen. UI feature designers often got together to discuss basic interactions and how to ensure users would intuitively understand how to use the UX. It was important to know how much users can remember and internalize, and how quickly they could adapt to the newly applied touch and hold features.

An additional challenge was posed in optimizing the sensitivity of the touchpad.

When we say “swipe up”, everyone has a different idea of what “up” is. They go sideways, diagonal and straight up. We went through every possible scenario and gathered information through trial and error. We had to enlist the help of hundreds of internal staff in the trials.

Q. How was the sound quality of the Gear IconX achieved?

Park: The kernel design of the Gear IconX optimizes sound insulation and helps to block out any noises surrounding the user. Our greatest efforts were put into making sound output seamless. Since the earbuds are cord-free, and connected to a device via Bluetooth, sound must not be staggered or cut off. We wanted to minimize disturbances in the connection, particularly in underground spaces such as subway stations, where a cord-free product encounter lots of interference.

To achieve this, the Gear IconX’s sound output is stabilized with Samsung’s Scalable Codec, which continuously analyzes interference from WiFi and other Bluetooth signals and adjusts to minimize the impact on audio performance. The Scalable Codec decreases bit rate whenever the Gear IconX senses that the signal transfer is being disturbed, ensuring seamless music playback.

Q. When do users want to wear the Gear IconX the most?

Park: Gear IconX can be used whenever people want to listen comfortably and cordlessly – while they’re commuting or relaxing at home, for example.

Users can really focus on getting the most out of their exercise. The Gear IconX has many features which make it suitable for wearing while working out. Because the earbuds can store tracks and playlists, they can function independent of a smartphone, so users aren’t distracted by a screen. It’s sweat-resistant, ergonomically designed and features the Standalone Running Coach to help users maintain their pace. In addition, auto run/walk tracking give up-to-the-moment information about distance and speed. People often listen to music while exercising, and Gear IconX’s fitness features have been positively received by users.

Q. What has the consumer reaction to the Gear IconX been like?

Park: In the days since the launch, the early reactions from users have been pleasing to us as planners and designers, who worked hard to achieve them. Tech reviews have been shared widely, piquing the interest of the general public and consumers.

Tech-savvy users have also provided insightful commentary on how to use the Gear IconX. Since this Gear IconX is new to the market, their considerations are a useful resource for both consumers and Samsung.

Changes for a more Consistent Brand Experience

Previous Samsung Wearable packages were great at portraying unique characteristics and strengths of different product categories, but had difficulty conveying the overarching impression of the brand. We analyzed countless competitor products and interviewed package and retail experts to create an all-encompassing brand experience through the package. Through this process, we set our design goal to create a packaging system that exudes the exhaustive aura of a brand and enhances the details of the overall experience that covers the journey from opening the package to holding the product in your hand.

Concept that Ties Categories Together

Precious

“Packaging is a nice way to speak to the user.” -Danny Miller, Creative Director of High Tide

Even if you are purchasing a product for yourself, a nicely packaged product that feels like a gift offers a whole new level of precious sentiment. The Samsung Mobile Wearable package acts as its own salesman when displayed on a showcase. The ‘Precious’ concept reflects this idea and provides a modern interpretation of the ‘premium gift’ keyword. From the moment users open the upper box, they are greeted with a ‘Welcome Door’ that creates anticipation for what’s to come. Furthermore, the inbox items, such as the manual and cables, are neatly assembled to express delicate care toward users.

360° Consideration

“To attract human attention your packaging needs to achieve a fine balance between vibrancy, uniqueness and simplicity.” – Kate Nightingale, Consumer Psychologist and Founder of Style Psychology

The package is designed under the umbrella of the ‘360° Consideration’ concept, which organically connects different aspects of a package that each contain unique information. The design is systemically considerate of users and maintains a fine balance of text and images among all six sides of the box, thereby preventing an overload of information coming from a single element of the package. The compartments of the package flow seamlessly while also being exclusive, which enables the product to become a natural eye-catcher and an impressionable storyteller that tells a tale which goes beyond basic spec details.

Message that is Formed through Depth in Detail

A package can create a powerful message when all its elements, from materials to color, font, photography, graphics, constitution, and more, form a harmonious and meticulously detailed ensemble. The Samsung Wearable package design augments its consistency with depth in detail to more effectively communicate the product’s language to its users.

Attractive and Powerful Images

The product images used for the package were all taken in an honest viewpoint that has the product facing the front. The crisp and clean background that is spread behind the product and the soft light that permeates into the product radiate a confident and modern impression. For products like the Gear Fit2 Pro, which is important to properly show the band color, the images are rotated so that users can properly see the color of the band from the front of the package.

Systematic Transmission of Information

Key information such as product and brand names are always placed in the same location of the package for all categories to maintain consistency. Additional information such as the USP, icons, and product descriptions were positioned in order of importance in areas that are easily seen by the user so that all information can be systemically and properly disclosed to the user.

Color that Represents the Brand

The number of colors used in the package is limited to four colors, excluding the colors in the product image. The proportion of how each color is used is carefully determined by its purpose. The Premium Black color that appears universally among Samsung brand products blankets the entire package. The Samsung Accent Blue, used as the Signature Accent, is applied minimally throughout the package just enough to indicate the mood of the brand. White and light-grey are used for typography to immaculately organize product information.

Patterns that Capture the Sentiments of a Product

Patterns differ from product to product, so each pattern is designed to serve as a metaphor of the product’s specific qualities to evoke sentimental resonance. The Gear 360 features a photograph that boasts 360 degree photography, the Gear VR provides a multidimensional view, and the Gear Fit2 Pro shows an image that displays heart rate to exemplify the product.

Intuitive Icon Graphics

The Samsung Wearable package has been produced in two forms and two sizes, which upholds coherence of the brand when displayed. Even when the volume of the package must be larger to accommodate additional accessories, the z-axis of the package is enlarged instead of the x-axis or the y-axis so that the product is always displayed in a constant size when viewed from the front.

Everyone knows the feeling of keeping a package that they were particularly fond of. At times, the package of a product can induce a sensation that is as potent as, if not even stronger, than the sensation that comes from the product itself. The purpose of a package transcended beyond its previous role of simply wrapping up or protecting the product, and has gained its own meaning. The Samsung Wearable package design has come to redefine the identity and role of the package.

The Gear Sport features a built-in GPS and 5 ATM water resistance** to help users go beyond fitness to get the most out of their everyday activities. Adding to this are a suite of premium partnerships with Spotify, Under Armour and Speedo that enable practical fitness experiences, as well as an enhanced user interface that is easily navigated via the device’s minimalistic circular bezel.

With its sleek, ergonomic form that can be worn with a variety of 20mm straps and watchfaces, the Gear Sport is a stylish accessory for any occasion, whether hitting the gym or going out with friends.

Boasting a lightweight, cord-free design, the Gear IconX (2018) earbuds provide a secure and comfortable fit, making them perfect for active users who are constantly on the go. A built-in Running Coach, in-ear automatic activity tracking, hassle-free controls and standalone music playback capabilities with 4GB of internal storage take workouts to an entirely new level. Furthermore, an improved long-lasting battery ensures that users always have access to the features they need and music they love.

* Devices will initially be available in a limited number of countries including South Korea, the US, Canada and select European markets, and will continue rolling out to additional markets in the weeks ahead. Availability dates may vary by retailer and market.

** The Gear Sport has a water resistance rating of 5 ATM (50 meters) under ISO standard 22810:2010 for wristwatches under defined conditions of pressure, time, velocity and temperature. This means that the device is safe to wear while walking in the rain or showering, and may be used for shallow-water activities such as swimming in a pool or the ocean. However, it should not be used for scuba diving, waterskiing or other activities involving sudden temperature changes, high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth. Rinse in fresh water and dry after use in salt water.

Samsung Electronics today introduced three new devices to its industry-leading wearable portfolio: Gear Sport, a sleek and versatile fitness-focused smartwatch that is water resistant; Gear Fit2 Pro, an upgraded GPS sports band with smart features; and Gear IconX, a second generation of the company’s groundbreaking cord-free earbuds. Samsung’s new Gear devices were designed to help consumers get the most out of their day, and help them live a healthy and well-balanced life.

The new Gear devices assist with a range of activities – from robust fitness tracking to nutrition and sleep monitoring, as well as motivational coaching as a lifestyle companion. By introducing new smart capabilities and easy-to-use features, and by partnering with leading names in tech and fitness, Samsung is helping consumers go beyond fitness and accomplish big things.

“At Samsung, we celebrate the everyday athlete – whether you’re going for a light jog, or training for your next triathlon. We have a long history of embracing choice and innovation, and our wearables are designed to help consumers of varying fitness levels meet their goals and aspirations. We want to help remove the stigma that fit can only mean one thing and that fitness trackers are complex and for only the most intense of workouts,” said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “Our new Samsung Gear wearables help consumers ‘go beyond fitness’ and enjoy an active, balanced and fulfilled life in a smart and seamless way.”

As part of this updated line-up, Samsung created new capabilities for Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro:

• Industry-Leading Water Resistance and Swim Tracking: An ideal companion for any swim – from laps to playing in the pool – these devices are 5 ATM¹ certified for water resistance. Now with Speedo’s latest swimming training app, Speedo On, the Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro also allow you to easily track key swim metrics including lap count, lap time, stroke type and more.
• Top-of-the-line Heart Rate Monitoring: With improved accuracy, the devices offer advanced real-time heart rate monitoring. They help you continuously monitor your heart activity – whether it’s enjoying a stress-free nap or an invigorating cycling class.
• Premium Partnerships: Daily activity can be supplemented with updated Under Armour and Spotify partnerships. Both devices provide access to Under Armour’s fitness apps including Under Armour Record, MyFitnessPal®, MapMyRun® and Endomondo for activity, nutrition, sleep and fitness tracking functions – these apps provide users with a holistic picture of their health and fitness. Spotify’s Offline mode lets you listen to your favorite music online, offline or even without your smartphone so you can enjoy your favorite tunes regardless of location.
• Auto Activity Detection: Automatic activity detection built into the devices are in tune with your body and can recognize the following categories of activities: Walking, Running, Cycling and performing Dynamic Activities that could include dancing to basketball.
• Personalized Motivation: You can customize your own wellness plan with tailored goals and alerts.

Gear Sport: A New Versatile Smartwatch to Support an Active and Balanced Lifestyle 

Gear Sport is stylish, yet practical with a minimalistic, circular bezel, Super AMOLED 1.2-inch display and improved user interface that makes it easy to view information, even when on-the-go. With Gear Sport, users can work to achieve health and wellness goals, and receive nutrition management alerts and activity recommendations even when they are offline.

Designed with military-level durability, it can handle a wide-range of environments.³  With its sleek, ergonomic form that can be worn in a variety of colorful and easily changeable standard 20mm straps, it is perfect for any occasion so you can effortlessly transition from the gym to a night out with friends. Gear Sport will be available in Blue and Black and also includes Gear foundational functions:

• Control of Samsung IoT-enabled devices through Samsung Connect
• Act as a remote control, whether for a PowerPoint presentation or Samsung Gear VR headset
• Pay for goods with a flick of the wrist via Samsung Pay (NFC Only)⁴

Gear Fit2 Pro: An Advanced GPS Fitness Band

In addition to the new swim and heart rate monitoring capabilities, the new Gear Fit2 Pro features advanced built-in GPS tracking to capture your run or ride with accurate activity tracking. Gear Fit2 Pro’s Super AMOLED curved 1.5-inch display and a high-resolution color touchscreen make real-time updates and notifications easier to read. The all-new secure, ergonomic band is light weight and comfortable to use for all activities. Available in Black and Red, its versatile design also makes it a stylish accessory.

Gear IconX: Comfortable Fit, Cord-Free Earbuds

IconX cord-free earbuds let you effortlessly listen to your favorite music – making your daily commute more enjoyable and helping you get more from your workout. Music can be enjoyed on and offline by transferring songs from a Samsung smartphone⁵ or PC, or accessing your favorite tunes through Bluetooth connectivity. The earbuds are also your newest connection to Bixby.⁶ With a simple tap and hold of the earbud you can use your voice to control your music or your phone – without even having it in your hand.

The updated design comes in Black, Gray and Pink and is even more ergonomic and lightweight so they are effectively secure, comfortable and stylish to use. For the fitness enthusiast, the Gear IconX automatically tracks your running routines, and also features the standalone Running Coach function which can be activated by simply tapping the earbud to provide in-ear audio⁷ exercise status updates – in real-time and without your phone. With a fast-charging and improved battery life of up to five hours of music streaming or seven hours of standalone music playback, and up to 4GB of internal storage, you can enjoy a seamless and fully standalone music listening experience.

Get a first look at Samsung’s new Gear wearables in the official trailer below.

For more product information, please visit news.samsung.com/global or www.samsungmobilepress.com.

Samsung Gear Sport Specifications

Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro Specifications

Samsung Gear IconX (2018) Specifications 

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

¹Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro have ISO 22810:2010 certification for wristwatches for 5 ATM rating of 50 meters (165 feet) under defined conditions of pressure, time, velocity and temperature. This means that both devices are safe to wear while walking in the rain or showering, and may be used for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or the ocean. However, the Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro should not be used for scuba diving, waterskiing, or other activities involving sudden temperature changes, high-velocity water activities or submersion below shallow depth. Rinse in fresh water and dry after use in sea water.

²UUnder Armour’s MapMyRun, Endomondo and Under Armour Record for Gear devices are not supported in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Under Armour’s MyFitness Pal for Gear devices is not supported in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

³ Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro are MIL-STD-810G certified.

⁴NFC support only. Service availability may vary by country.

⁵The Gear IconX is compatible with devices running Android 4.4 and above.

⁶Limited to Samsung devices with Bixby voice capabilities including Galaxy Note8, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

⁷The Gear IconX voice guide supports nine languages including U.S. English, Chinese Mandarin, Spanish, German, French, Korean, Italian, Russian and Japanese.

[7:00am] Monday, we meet again. Time to get up and start another week off on the right track with a quick shower and a hearty breakfast. Once I’m ready, I dig my smartphone out from under my blanket and glance toward the nightstand at my Gear IconX’s pill-shaped case. The green lights tell me that the earbuds are fully charged and ready to go. Let’s do this.

[8:00am] On the subway, when I plug the Gear IconX into my ears and it senses my heart beat, the earbuds automatically connect to my smartphone. From there, all it takes to start enjoying my music is a simple tap. The subway car’s full to bursting as usual, and I adjust the volume with a quick swipe of the touchpad. I’m glad I can, too. I couldn’t reach my smartphone to turn it up even if I tried.

[9:30am] Time for work, so I store the Gear IconX in its case for safe keeping and to charge. I usually work for 9 hours, but after a single charge of the case and earbuds, and factoring in the two additional charges the case provides, my Gear IconX works for longer; it’s good to go for up to 11 hours of standalone play. Plus, the case is sleek and refined, blends in nicely with my workstation, and makes keeping track of the earbuds easy. I won’t have to worry about finding them at all.

[12:00pm] Lunch time! The weather’s nice, so after a quick bite, I put on my Gear IconX to stream some music while I go for a walk. When I approach the intersection by our office, I hear a car horn blare as a driver runs a red light and speeds through the crosswalk in front of me. Close call. Thanks to Gear IconX’s Ambient Sound mode, however, I was able to respond to the noise and come out safe and sound. Relieved, I head back upstairs.

[3:30pm] During a break from work, I connect my phone to the Gear IconX via a USB connector and cable to add a few more songs a friend recommended. Both earbuds feature built-in storage – 4GB in all – which means I can easily enjoy tons of tracks even without my phone. I’ve got about 500 saved on them now, and their memory is only half full. Plenty of room to discover more great tunes.

[6:30pm] After clocking out, I test out the new songs on the way home. Just before I reach my door, I hear a call from my brother Sean coming in and take it with a double tap of the Gear IconX’s touchpad. Looks like he’s going to be latefor dinner at the sushi bar tonight. I assure him it’s fine. It just means the meal is on him.

[7:00pm] There’s nothing like a good run to decompress after a long day. Before I got my Gear IconX, I had to make sure that I brought my earphones, smartphone and fitness tracker (all charged, of course) with me as my “running mates”. Now, the Gear IconX is all I need to go for a quick run. Before I start, I activate the Gear IconX’s fitness tracking mode by pressing on its touchpad until I hear “Start workout”. Even when I run, the earbuds fit comfortably. My ears are definitely on the bigger side, but the ear- and wing-tip attachments allowed me to find a snug fit.

[7:30pm] The Gear IconX’s Voice Guide tells me I’m 5K into my run, absolutely incinerating the calories from last night’s monstrous lasagna, and firmly within my vigorous intensity zone. I’m pleased to hear that I’m making good time, too; the high-energy tracks I loaded onto the earbuds yesterday are definitely helping.

[9:00pm] After my workout, I check S Health to view the Gear IconX’s collected measurements. Mission accomplished; my most active day this month. I’m very happy with its burned-calorie and heart-rate reports, and judging by the distance of my run, I’m not surprised that I’ve worked up such an appetite. I make a note to order an extra California roll on Sean’s dime to reward myself.

[11:00pm] After dinner, I head home to relax and get ready for bed. Before turning in, I connect the Gear IconX’s case to my PC via USB cable and open the Gear IconX Manager, which allows me to conveniently compile tomorrow’s playlist with tracks from my hard drive. I feel a ‘Techno Tuesday’ coming on. After finishing, I plug in the case and head to bed. I’ll need my rest; I’ve got a new step record to beat tomorrow.

The sound of an air conditioner, an oven turning on, the ring of a smartphone… all of these digital sounds also become a part of your daily routine and naturally a part of your memory. We here at Samsung Electronics also consider acoustic resonance as an important factor of the user experience, as such our products are imbued with a distinct sound.

Come join us on a familiar path where we focus on the sound of our products.

* This content is better experienced with earphones or speaker.

Samsung Brand Sound

The theme of Samsung Electronics’ products can be summed up as ‘Over the Horizon’ for mobile devices and ‘Beyond the Horizon’ for home appliances – looking toward the challenges of the future with passion and anticipation. Although the melody may sound different the nuances of both share a subtle similarity. Both are neutral and positive attitude while retaining a medium tempo with 4 to 6 melodies.

These two simple melodies carry a long way, especially when applied to our products. Let’s look at a few examples.

Over the Horizon Theme

Over the Horizon

Over the Horizon has been the sound for Samsung Electronic mobile devices since 2012 for a better future in our daily life. It’s used for the Default Ringtone, Message Tone, Advertisements, Music Videos and other various media. We’ve also collaborated with musicians to expand this melody in diverse ways.

Samsung Galaxy S7

As the smartphone is probably the most used and closely kept device ever developed, it is vital that even the smallest functions have a corresponding sound and synchronize with the UX design principles.

Default Ringtone

Default Ringtone

The Swedish band Dirty Loops remixed the Over the Horizon melody for the Galaxy S7 and is used as the default ringtone.

Lock/Unlock

Lock/Unlock

As this function is used most often it should be quick and simple, yet clearly distinguishable. A distinct metallic sound was chosen to convey the precision of the device.

Camera Shutter

Camera Shutter

To continue the identity of Samsung cameras into the smartphone, an actual analogue camera shutter was sampled and edited for a consistent sound across all devices, from analogue cameras, digital cameras and mobile devices.

Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay

The sound of plastic as it’s pulled from a money clip is the motif developed for the sound when you activate Samsung Pay. It’s meant to evoke the feel of paying with an actual credit card. In line with this, when you swipe through your cards on the app it mimics plastic hitting plastic for a familiar yet new experience.

IconX

As left and right components are completely divided and sound is provided in stereo, also the fact that there are no buttons or a screen to access, this device required a totally new approach in user experience: The Invisible Audio Menu.

Wear on Sound

Wear on Sound

As both right and left ear buds operate independently, each ear receives a small ping to signal activation.

Coupled Sound

Coupled Sound

A delayed ping is volleyed back and forth to signal that both ear buds are connected and in synch.

Volume Up/Down

Volume Up/Down

AUI(Auditory User Interface) distinguishes high and low volume for suitable control.

Invisible Audio Menu Guide

Invisible Audio Menu Guide

When you tap & hold, the menu is read out loud with an AUI sound that signals for you to let go to start that menu.

Beyond the Horizon

Beyond the Horizon

Beyond the Horizon has been our signature brand melody for home appliances since 2015. It represents positivity and unlimited possibilities in ascending melody.

Q9000, Q9500

The windless air conditioner echoes a wind chime when it starts up or is controlled for a clear, refreshing sound to compliment the cool air coming forth.

Power On/Off Sound

Power On/Off Sound

The Beyond the Horizon melody is differentiated when you turn on or off the air conditioner. Other details are the melody is precisely synched to the vents opening sequence.

Temperature Control Sound

Temperature Control Sound

This helps you to distinguish whether you’re setting the room temperature up or down.

Built-in Oven

For this appliance, we analyzed the different functions into two categories; power, error, timer functions that apply to the entire product range and specific functions that are unique to each individual product such as partition activation/ deactivation, cook done. By doing this, each product is connected by a unified sound but also is uniquely identified.

Power On Sound

Power On Sound

Even without high definition speakers, the Beyond the Horizon sounds simple and direct.

Buzzer & Speaker Sound

Buzzer & Speaker Sound

The buzzer key has been raised one octave and together with the SPK version can be heard and distinguishable in any environment.

Door Open Sound

Door Open Sound

The door open alarm sounds 2 minutes after the door is kept open. Rather than a high-pitch alarm a less harsh melody set (ti-mi-fa#) was chosen for a more considerate sound alarm.

Each of Us Have a Unique Voice

No two are the same. Likewise, a brand should have its own unique acoustics. The sonic experience with a brand is a vital asset and an intricate part of the total brand experience.

Here at Samsung Electronics, we take great care to ensure that the sound you hear from our products is clear, audible and consistent with the other elements of our products and services we provide to you. Even the most fleeting sound bites have been evaluated many time over to create a fun yet memorable brand experience.

Assistant Manager Jiho Lee (left) and Manager Sanghyun Kim

Q. How did you come up with the Gear IconX’s “independent” concept?

Sanghyun Kim: For many people, preparing for exercise entails grabbing three devices: their smartphone, fitness tracker and earphones. But managing all three during a workout can be cumbersome. So, in an effort to streamline the experience, we dreamt up a wireless music player that could work independently, minimizing any hassle.

We began by envisioning a standalone device that could function simultaneously as a music player and fitness tracker and provide real-time exercise data. We decided to make it cordless in pursuit of complete convenience, and ran numerous ergonomic tests to find a design that would fit every ear.

Q. What was the most difficult aspect of incorporating the fitness tracking technology?

Jiho Lee: The earbuds feature built-in acceleration and heart rate sensors, but when it comes to heart rate, accuracy can vary depending on where the sensor is positioned and how it comes into contact with the body.

It was therefore difficult to find a spot to install the sensor that would work universally, for all ear shapes. What’s more, it was actually our first time utilizing such a sensor on ears. Our existing devices were designed to collect heart rate data from fingers or wrists.

While we could have placed the sensors in greater contact with users’ ears, we believed that doing so would compromise the device’s attractive aesthetic. We therefore carefully honed the product to strike a perfect balance of accuracy and design.

Q. How did you design the earbuds to support crisp music playback on their own?

Sanghyun Kim: In order to facilitate an ideal standalone listening experience, we included built-in memory storage in both earbuds. In use, the device draws from both, and does not suffer from the loss of sound quality due to data compression that’s typical with other wireless earphones. This is how the Gear IconX manages to deliver better sound despite being completely cord free.

Jiho Lee: To streamline file transfers, we decided to launch dedicated PC software—for the first time in the history of the Gear collection—and modified the Gear Manager app to foster the direct transmission of music from users’ phones to their earbuds.

Q. What led you to opt for touch-based controls?

Jiho Lee: Adding physical buttons for different commands would’ve been the easiest route. However, we decided not to put up with the possible inconvenience that hard keys could bring, including requiring a larger design to properly accommodate them and creating irritating pressure on the ear when pressed.

We wanted the earbuds’ controls to be easy to use, conducive to a small design and unlikely to malfunction, which made a touch-based interface ideal. Ultimately honing the controls’ design and selecting what command to assign to each variation of swipe, tap and press took a great deal of deliberation.

Q. What steps did you take to optimize battery capacity?

Jiho Lee: The Gear IconX is capable of running for 3.8 hours in Standalone Mode and 1.6 hours when streaming from a smartphone. According to our research, people usually listen to music for no longer than 1.5 hours at a time.

Because the earbuds are completely cordless, we decided to provide a dedicated case that would allow users to safely and conveniently store and charge them when they’re not in use. By designing the product to recharge during storage, we allow it to be more available for users’ enjoyment.

Q. How do you hope the Gear IconX will contribute to users’ listening experience?

Sanghyun Kim: What makes me happy as a product planner is when people find a device utterly easy to use. The Gear IconX, for example, automatically pairs to users’ phones via Bluetooth as soon as they put the earbuds on, meaning no long button presses to initiate connections. The built-in storage also means immediate access to music—no fishing for a phone or untangling earphones required.

Our goal was to enrich the listening experience during exercise with convenient and intuitive functionality, and we believe users are seeing that. I was especially proud when, at the Rio Olympics, I saw a visitor to the Samsung Galaxy Studio grab the earbuds without any instruction, plug them in and start grooving to some music.

Senior Engineer Kidong Hong (left) and Principal Engineer Jiyoung Kong (right)

Q. How did you come to add a fitness tracker to these Bluetooth earbuds?

Jiyoung Kong: We wanted to make the Gear IconX the most convenient choice for users to accurately measure their activity. A new, cord-free standalone device.

Because music playback is a must to keep boredom at bay during workouts, it was only natural for us to develop the Gear IconX as a combination of a music player and fitness tracker.

As a developer of S Health, I’m delighted that we now have another line of fitness trackers to add to our wristbands and smartphones. Though smartphones excel in computational functions, we usually find them bothersome while at the gym. I am glad to see more diversity in wearable devices because it will surely help us meet our users’ increasingly diversifying needs.

Q. What was the main focus when incorporating S Health support into the Gear IconX?

Kidong Hong: Although the earbuds may look simple, it took a lot of collaboration with other teams to incorporate support for fitness tracking features—such as exercise recording and heart rate measurement—while ensuring that the Gear IconX still delivered a top-rate Bluetooth listening experience.

Since we have numerous fitness tracking options available in other Samsung wearable devices and smartphones, S Health now has more sources to help users collect and optimize exercise data. So we also focused on ensuring optimal usability when the Gear IconX is connected to the app. For instance, we had many discussions regarding how the earbuds would send information to S Health and how that data would be displayed.

Q. How exactly does the Gear IconX’s fitness tracking technology work?

Kidong Hong: The Gear IconX comes with a built-in acceleration sensor and a CPU. When the sensor detects your movement, the CPU calculates speed and distance based on that information.

The device tracks walking and running by detecting how your feet leave the ground. While wristband-type fitness trackers usually measure how much your arms swing, the Gear IconX, being earbuds, does its job by noting how much your head shakes.

We set our measurement standards based on verification with a dedicated sports lab and also consulted our own database, which features relevant data we’ve gathered since launching the Gear series.

Q. What kind of information does the Gear IconX’s voice guide relay during workouts?

Kidong Hong: The voice guide tells you the duration, distance and speed of your exercise, as well as your heart rate and the number of calories you’ve burned. You can check all of this information on the S Health app.

You can choose the items you’d like to have announced, and set a time or distance interval for updates. The voice guide also notices when you’ve reached the high-intensity workout zone corresponding with your heart rate. All of these features provide users with more significant information and reinforce the Gear IconX’s extensive capabilities as a standalone fitness device.

Q. What’s the difference between using the Gear IconX on its own and with a smartphone?

Jiyoung Kong: While the Gear IconX certainly supports independent use, we have also carefully considered how it works with a smartphone. To this end, we are working on a situation-based framework to work out how to best alternate functions between the two devices, determining in which circumstances one will operate as the main fitness tracker and the other will support.

For example, when you press the Gear IconX’s button and start running, the framework prevents your smartphone from recording your activity, deeming that you clearly expressed your intention to rely on the earbuds instead. On the other hand, when you choose not to activate the Gear IconX and start walking or running, it automatically turns the fitness tracker on your smartphone on. In this case, the earbuds function as accessories to measure your heart rate.

Heart rate is certainly one of the most useful bits of information for people who enjoy working out; it serves as a sort of stamina indicator. By incorporating valuable, advanced functions into S Health, including the Program feature, which helps you get accustomed to regular exercise more easily, and Pace Goals, which offers runners guided training through different intensity zones, we tried to help people use their smartphone and wearable together to work out smarter.

Senior Designer Seounghyun Son (left) and Engineer Sunghan Park

Q. How did you approach the Gear IconX’s design?

Seounghyun Son: For the Gear IconX, we needed a design that would be iconic as both a wearable and an audio product, and would reflect the company’s innovative identity.

When it comes to crafting wearables, too much focus solely on design can be a detriment, and can even cause a product to be uncomfortable to wear. For the Gear IconX, we focused on achieving a balance, so it wouldn’t become too complex, nor too simple. The smooth triangular shape of the earbud is modern and intense, and we shaped it just right in order to evoke the sophisticated aesthetic that Samsung pursues.

Q. How did you select the three colors?

Seounghyun Son: The Gear IconX was designed for fitness as well as everyday wear, meaning it had to be wearable not only when exercising, but in daily life, too. That’s why we selected an understated black, white and blue.

To be clear, the variations are black and lime, white and silver, and blue and cyan. The main body of the earbud was given a muted color treatment and accented with aluminum highlights. When decorating the Gear IconX, we deliberated on which combination of colors would yield distinct character. The combination of black and lime, for instance, is sporty, trendy and enduring.

Q. What efforts were made to achieve an optimal fit?

Seounghyun Son: We measured the ears of numerous people, and they all differed in size and shape. So we focused on setting a range and finding a secure balance with the eartips and wingtips. There was no other way to test their fit but to try them out, one by one.

We adjusted the angle of the tip that goes inside the ear by 0.5-degree increments until we found the optimal slant. When it was decided, we altered the sizes of the eartips and wingtips and calculated an adequate range. In order to improve the fit, we conducted various internal tests, as well as satisfaction surveys with approximately 200 people who used the product during exercise.

Sunghan Park: There were a lot of factors to consider, as the Gear IconX is a small wearable device. For the wingtips, it was difficult to choose the three standard sizes, and we also put a lot of effort into honing the shape and choosing an ideal material.

The rubber wingtips wrap around the main body of the earbud, but they are thin and have holes, and can tear easily after being taken off several times. While a soft material would fit nicely, it would also tear easily. A harder material would be durable, but might hurt when worn.

In order to satisfy fit and durability requirements, the wingtips were given different intensities so that the part that directly touched the ear would feel soft and secure. It was also important to develop the product in a way that would allow it to remain pristine during use.

Q. What were some of the challenges in developing such a small product?

Seounghyun Son: It was nice to be in a position to set new rules—designing a new and completely cord-free product. But it was also challenging, as a lot of functions needed to be packaged in such a small frame.

Normally, sound quality improves with bigger drivers. However, we developed a new, smaller driver that could be loaded into the Gear IconX in order to facilitate both premium sound quality and a small frame. We also had to create enough room for an adequate touch area, and needed to consider how best to apply the aluminum detailing in order to achieve the premium-design aesthetic we were after.

Sunghan Park: The challenge was to create a structure that could fulfill various functions while maintaining a small profile. Structurally, the earbuds are divided into upper and lower parts, but these can become separated when subjected to external shocks, because secure connections are generally harder to achieve in small products. Also, if a user drops the Gear IconX, it will fall from a greater height than other earbuds. We therefore put a lot of effort into ensuring that the product would be stable and able to withstand falls.

Q. How did you incorporate the Gear IconX’s heart rate sensor?

Sunghan Park: The Gear IconX’s heart rate sensor slightly protrudes, because the function works better the closer it is to the skin. Finding the optimal angle and degree of that protrusion required several attempts.

We also carefully considered the design of the window covering the sensor. This process was more difficult than expected, because a change in the window’s shape would require modification of the left and right wingtips and the case design as well.

Q. Which factors did you focus on when making the charging case?

Sunghan Park: We were able to create a slim charging case by modeling its design after glasses cases, with a lid that could be closed after placing the earbuds inside. The lid’s design also required detailed consideration. The case needed to be able to be closed firmly for charging, but if it were too tight, the opening “click” would not feel right. So we found a nice balance.

The case matches the earbuds’ color, and we use a machine called a jig to hold and paint it. However, it was difficult to hold the case with the jig because it has a curved design and its inside also has curves corresponding to the shape of the earbuds. So finding a method to paint it evenly took some deliberation.

The Samsung Design America team collaborated to create the Gear IconX. From left to right: Adam Smith-Kipnis, Sameer Bhalla, James Lee, Alejandro Vallejo, Dennis Miloseski, Seounghyun Son, Rhys Bonahoom and Howard Nuk.

Q. What makes Gear IconX different from other wireless earbuds?

First, Gear IconX is completely, 100-percent cord-free, offering you more freedom to comfortably listen to music or take a phone call on the go than would be possible with wired or otherwise tethered earphones.

Beyond that freedom of movement, Gear IconX also works as a standalone fitness tracker and music player. The earbuds come with 4GB of built-in storage and are equipped with an accelerometer and heartrate monitor (HRM) sensor, allowing you to both listen to music and accurately track workouts while leaving your phone at home.

Q. What kind of information does Gear IconX gather from my ears?

Gear IconX cuts cords, not corners. So whenever you walk or run these earbuds will accurately track the duration of your workout, as well as your speed, distance, calories burned and heartrate, and efficiently relay the information to your ear via motivating notifications recorded by real people.

You’ll also be notified when you reach your vigorous-intensity zone—your optimal heart rate range for effective exercise—keeping you focused and motivated by ensuring maximum efficiency in your workout.

Of course, all of Gear IconX’s accumulated health information syncs seamlessly with the S Health app, helping users attain a more complete picture of their health.

Q. My workouts can get pretty intense. What keeps the earbuds from falling out?

Gear IconX’s inner eartips are molded to fit your ear’s internal acoustic canals, while the outer wingtips ensure a secure grip during even your toughest workouts.

Both the ear- and wingtips come in three sizes—large, medium and small—allowing you to mix and match to find the most comfortable combination for your ears. They’ll fit snugly, so you can run, jump and carry on with life worry free. They aren’t going anywhere.

Q. If the earbuds are button-less, how do I control them?

Gear IconX’s earbuds utilize built-in HRM sensors to detect when you’re wearing them and automatically power on.

From there, an intuitive design aided by voice prompts allows you to control volume, play, pause and skip tracks, manage calls and toggle additional functions simply by tapping, swiping or pressing and holding the earbuds’ touch-sensitive surface.

Q. How’s the sound quality?

While it is true that many manufacturers concentrate more on convenience than sound quality in their wireless earphone designs, as we’ve outlined here, Gear IconX are no ordinary earbuds.

Gear IconX is distinguished by its standalone capability, which allows users to listen to music saved in the each earbud’s built-in storage, independent of a smartphone. Because it’s capable of playing music directly into users’ ears, the listening experience doesn’t suffer from the loss of sound quality due to compression that’s typical when using more traditional wireless earphones.

In short, Gear IconX delivers the level of sound quality expected of wired earbuds, just without the wires.

Q. How often will I need to charge them?

When fully charged, Gear IconX will last for 3.8 hours in standalone mode and 1.6 hours in audio streaming mode. You can easily extend your use, however, with the included charging case, which allows you to store and recharge the earbuds whenever you’re not using them.

So with a single charge of the case and earbuds, and factoring in the two additional charges the case provides when you’re out and about, Gear IconX will be good to go for up to 11 hours of standalone play.

For these people, Samsung launched the latest wearable device Gear IconX last week. Featuring a truly cord-free earbuds design, a heart rate monitor and standalone music player, the Gear IconX provides a whole new fitness experience.

When you first see the Samsung Gear IconX, you might be perplexed a little. It’s because you cannot find a power switch.

With curiosity, you begin to explore the Gear IconX by choosing the right size wingtip and eartip for you – the Gear IconX comes with three sizes of each.

Not knowing what else to do, you plug one earbud into your ear. Instantly, you can hear a light “buzzing” sound. When you insert the other earbud, you hear a “ding dong” sound and a voice saying “connected.” And then, the default music just starts playing. They simply turn on automatically when you put them in their ears, and turn off when you take them off. A heart rate monitor in the earbuds recognizes when you have them in place.

What about the music? Yes, you can listen to music by coupling it with your smartphone, like any other Bluetooth headset. But one advantage of the Gear IconX is that it can also play music without a smartphone. The earbuds have internal memory for storing music – up to 1,000 songs.

How do you transfer your music to the earbuds? This is where the USB connector and charging case come in. The charging case serves as a case for the earbuds, keeping them safe and also providing up to two additional charges.

But the charging case has one more function – transferring music to the earbuds. Once you connect the charging case to your Galaxy smartphone by the USB connector and launch the Samsung Gear app, you can manage the Music Setting. You can check out the songs saved on earbuds. If you select Add at the top of the screen, it causes the songs saved on the smartphone to appear. The process is just as straightforward for PCs, too.

Finally, it is time to work out. After you firmly fix the earbuds in your ears, just lightly tap once and the music starts playing. Right away, you can notice that surrounding noises are being blocked, so you can simply enjoy the sound of your music.

With two taps to the side of one earbud, the player advances to the next song, and with three taps it goes back to the previous song. You can also control the volume by swiping the earbud up or down. When you need to remain aware of your surroundings, like when you’re standing on a busy street, it is easy to turn on the Gear IconX’s ambient sound mode.

With a tap and hold of the earbud touchpad, you can hear the Gear IconX announce “workout started.” It’s time to get started. After running about 1 km, the device informs you of your workout distance, time, speed, heart rate and how many calories you have burned so far, as measured by the in-ear heart rate sensor. It is really encouraging to know you are actually making progress and getting into shape. Of course, you can use the Gear app to choose what kind of workout information to receive and how often to receive it.

The Gear IconX can automatically recognize two types of workouts – running and walking – and it is integrated with S Health, so it offers a thorough range of health-related tips, tracking and functions.

Additionally, if you get a message or notification when you’re wearing the Gear IconX, it alerts you and reads it for you. This voice guide is provided in fifteen languages at this moment. You can also respond to incoming calls using the earbud of your choice, left or right. It can connect to your smartphone and measure your heart rate.

Check out how you too can make Gear IconX part of your life!

Samsung Electronics today announced the launch of the truly cord-free earbuds, the Gear IconX, in select markets including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, Canada, Australia and Korea. The Gear IconX will then gradually be launched around the rest of the globe.

The Gear IconX offers a new fitness experience, with an in-ear heart rate monitor and standalone music player. It can track and provide instant feedback for fitness data, such as distance, speed, duration, heart rate and calories burned, and easily syncs with S Health app.

With internal storage large enough for up to 1,000 MP3s and easy-to-use controls so people can operate their music by simple tapping or swiping the earbuds, users don’t need carry a smartphone anymore to listen to music during a workout.

Featuring a lightweight, secure and comfortable fit with three different sizes of eartips and wingtips, the Gear IconX is available in three colors – black, blue and white.

In addition, the Gear IconX comes with a charging case that not only keeps your earbuds safe, but also holds for up to two additional charges that begin automatically when the earbuds are placed inside.

But what if your earbuds not only kept the rhythm flowing, but also offered real-time, in-ear feedback of your performance and let you take calls, all the while being completely cord-free?

Samsung Electronics’ all-new Gear IconX aims to do all of the above. The two earbuds provide all of your fitness tracking and music needs, ensuring that no awkward devices weigh down your pockets and no cords keep you from achieving your fitness goals.

A Reinvented Design—Music to Your Ears

At first glance, it’s clear that Samsung’s Gear IconX is no ordinary set of earbuds.

By reinventing traditional earbuds through an ergonomic design, the Gear IconX maximizes comfort, whether you’re engaging in fitness activities or simply listening to music during your daily commute.

Featuring three sizes of eartips and wingtips, the earbuds comfortably fit your ears, while three color options—black, blue and white—ensure that they also fit your style. And for those that prefer a bit more subtlety, the Gear IconX’s small design discreetly conceals your earbuds whether you’re at the gym or on the go.

Spice up your fitness routine with your favorite workout tunes by transferring music from a Samsung smartphone or a PC to the Gear IconX, or accessing music through Bluetooth connectivity.

With up to 4GB of internal storage (which can play up to 1,000 songs), users can enjoy a seamless and fully standalone music listening experience, easily controlled by a user-friendly interface. Play or pause music, adjust volume or switch tracks by simply tapping or swiping the Gear IconX earbuds.

For those times that you are on the go, the convenient charging case of the Gear IconX not only keeps your earbuds safe, but also allows for up to two additional charges that begin automatically when the earbuds are placed inside.

An In-Ear Fitness Tracker and More

The Gear IconX is optimized to complement your personal fitness level, whether you’re training, jogging or taking a morning stroll through the neighborhood.

To activate the device, simply place the Gear IconX in your ears. With a tap and hold of the touchpad located on the earbud, you can launch activity tracking and receive real-time status updates.

The earbuds provide data such as heart rate, distance, speed, duration and calories burned through the Voice Guide, even without a smartphone. In addition, utilizing its built-in heart rate monitor, the Gear IconX’s standalone voice guide helps you stay in the Vigorous Intensity Zone for a more effective workout.

After your workout, you can transfer and manage recorded data on your smartphone with seamless integration with the S Health application. Through Bluetooth connectivity, Gear IconX also provides real-time heart rate data transfer to select third-party applications.

Additionally, if you’re training in areas where you need to be more aware of your surroundings, Gear IconX supports ambient sound mode for your safety.

* All functionality features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.