The Speedo On tracking app measures key swim metrics including lap count, lap time and stroke type to easily track and incorporate swim achievements into personal fitness goals. Paired with the two new devices, consumers have options for what works best to complement their activity needs in the water; Gear Sport is a sleek and stylish smartwatch with premium features while the Gear Fit2 Pro is an all-new ergonomic fitness band with continuous heart rate monitoring and GPS tracking. The data from Speedo On is also compatible with Samsung Health, Samsung’s comprehensive fitness tracking platform, to deliver a broader picture of health and wellness information.

The new Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro features the Speedo On swim tracking app pre-installed, which is powered by Speedo’s expertly developed algorithm for optimum accuracy and seamless data transfer into the Speedo On web-based platform. Developed for data-driven fitness swimmers, the interactive swim tracking platform acts as a comprehensive training partner. It offers analysis of your swims and tracks your progress against your fitness goals, along with additional training programs, tips and advice tailored to you – developed by some of the world’s best coaches and athletes. Speedo On, also gives swimming a social dimension, allowing you to follow other swimmers, take part in challenges and share achievements. On both the Samsung Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro the Speedo On app enables swimmers to complete time trials and get their SWOLF score (a swim efficiency measure).

“Our Gear customers have been looking for more water-resistant products and now with the Speedo partnership and the Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro, we are delivering the best experience to meet their demands,” said Kiseon Kim, Vice President of Wearable Product Strategy Team at Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “As we look to meet the changing needs of consumers and their desire to track a range of activities and wellness factors – we are excited to bring these unique capabilities to consumers who love being in the water.”

“Speedo is committed to inspiring more people to get into the pool to achieve their fitness goals. Our collaboration with Samsung is the first of its kind and brings the very best of Samsung’s technological innovation together with Speedo’s swim expertise to provide fitness-focused swimmers with a completely new level of tracking,” said Rob Hicking, Brand Director at Speedo International. “We look forward to seeing what we can achieve together in the pool.”

About Speedo®

The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations and supporting swimming from grass-roots through to elite level.  In the 1920s Speedo made history with the Racerback: the world’s first non-wool suit. In 2008 Speedo redefined swimwear again with Fastskin LZR RACER – the fastest and most technologically advanced swimsuit ever created. In 2015, Speedo launched the Fastskin LZR Racer X, the first suit engineered to help swimmers feel their fastest. Its development was made possible through analyses of the physical and psychological aspects of competitive swimming with over 330 elite swimmers.  Speedo is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; to find out more visit: www.speedo.com. SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, AQUALAB, RACING SYSTEM, BIOFUSE, SPEEDO ENDURANCE, SCULPTURE and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents. The FASTSKIN³ cap, goggle and suit have worldwide design rights and patents pending. Speedo On is available on Android, iOS and web https://on.speedo.com.

About Speedo On

Speedo On is the new swim training platform from Speedo. Designed to improve the swimming experience and get more people swimming, more often. Users will be able to enjoy personalized recommendations to keep them on track towards their goals, motivated to carry on and focusing on the best ways for them, personally, to be at their best.

Users will be able to:

• Set personal goals
• Share achievements with other swimmers
• Track their swims
• Analyze their swim fitness metrics
• Access workouts and training plans created by some of the world’s best coaches and athletes
• Consume content relevant to their personal goals and swimming performance
• Take part in challenges

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 analysed 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 of creating 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

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 between text and images on all six sides of the box, which prevents an overload of information within 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 colour, font, photography, graphics, constitution, and more, form a harmonious and meticulously detailed ensemble. The Samsung Wearable package design enhances 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 authentic viewpoint that has the product facing to the front. The crisp and clean background that extends behind the product and the soft light that permeates into the product radiate a confident and modern impact. For products like the Gear Fit2 Pro, where it is important to properly show the band colour, the images are rotated so that users can properly see the colour 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, so that all categories 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.

Colour that Represents the Brand

The number of colours used in the package is limited to four colours, excluding the colours in the product image. The proportion of colours used is carefully determined by its purpose. The Premium Black colour 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.

Most people understand the excitement of encountering the packing of a product they love. At times, the packaging of a product can induce a sensation that is as potent as, if not stronger, than the sensation that comes from the product itself. The purpose of packaging has transcended beyond its previous role of simply wrapping up or protecting the product, and has gained its own meaning. Rui Brits, Senior Manager of Product Marketing at Samsung South Africa say, “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.

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* 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.

But what exactly do these numbers mean? And what makes ATM water resistance ratings different from other kinds of evaluation standards, such as IP ratings? Read on to find out.

IP Ratings – Making a Splash in the Mobile Industry

In recent years, as more and more individuals have begun taking their smartphones and wearables to places where just a little water can cause huge problems, demand for water-resistant electronics has skyrocketed. As a result, a number of international standards have been put in place for testing water resistance, including the Ingress Protection (IP) rating established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

A device’s IP rating consists of two numbers and is given in the format IPXY (i.e. IP67). X is the rating for physical ingress, or how resistant the device is to penetration by foreign solid objects such as dust, and ranges from 0 to 6. Y, meanwhile, represents the rating for liquid ingress, or how resistant it is to penetration by liquids under various conditions, and ranges from 0 to 8. Below are charts that summarize these protection levels.

SOURCE: IEC 60529 ed.2.2 “Copyright © 2013 IEC Geneva, Switzerland. www.iec.ch”²

The rating number assigned for each category indicates that the device being tested has met the requirements for each previous rating. For example, Samsung’s Gear S3 smartwatch, which has a rating of IP68, has passed the rating requirements for all six physical ingress levels and the first eight liquid ingress levels. In other words, under specific conditions, the Gear S3 can withstand accidental submersion up to 1.5 meters underwater for 30 minutes, as well as contact with harmful dust.

While a fitness band or smartwatch with an IP68 rating can be worn while jogging in the rain or doing the dishes, IP ratings do not take water pressure into account. Therefore, IP ratings are not indicative of a device’s ability to be used during aquatic activities such as swimming. This is where ATM ratings come in.

ATM Ratings – Water Resistance Under Pressure

While many manufacturers tend to follow IP ratings, some independently test their products to determine how much static pressure they can withstand when submerged. These pressure tests are measured in ATMs – which stands for atmospheres – and are converted to water depth to make the measurements easier to comprehend.

One ATM is equivalent to the static pressure exerted by static submersion in 10 meters of water. The higher the ATM rating, the deeper the product can go without being affected, as deeper water exerts more pressure. The basic ATM water-resistance levels are described below.³

Again, these ratings are for static pressure, meaning that if the device is resting still in a test chamber, it can tolerate pressure up to the rated value and will function properly upon its removal. Conversely, any application of dynamic pressure caused by movement of the wearer (such as diving into the water, for example) increases the pressure of water exposure. So, while a 3 ATM-rated fitness band could easily withstand rain, it might be damaged if sprayed with a powerful hose.

ISO 22810:2010 – The International Standard

The International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) ISO 22810:2010 standard, meanwhile, specifies a detailed testing procedure that defines not only pressures but also test duration, water temperature and other parameters to provide a more accurate description of a watch’s water resistance.

Products are independently tested by the manufacturer under ISO test specifications. Those that meet the ISO 22810:2010 standard meet four requirements: water resistance to overpressure, water resistance at shallow depth, water resistance when strain is placed on the operative components and water resistance on exposure to thermal shocks.⁴ Therefore, products that adhere to ISO standard 22810:2010 are resistant to water during aquatic activities and may be used under conditions where water pressure and temperature vary.

With a water resistance rating of 5 ATM under ISO standard 22810:2010, Samsung’s Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro are resistant to pressure at a depth of 50 meters, meaning the devices can not only stand up to the rain, but can also be worn during shallow water activities. This, along with the Speedo On swim tracking app,⁵ make the two new wearables ideal companions for any swim, whether tackling laps or going for a relaxing dip in the pool.

In summary, not all “water-resistant” devices are created equal. Therefore, it’s important to understand water resistance ratings to ensure your devices meet your needs and are appropriate for your lifestyle.

For more information about Samsung’s Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro, click here. For more details about water resistance ratings, visit the websites of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

¹ Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro have a water resistance rating of 5 ATM (50 meters) under ISO standard 22810:2010 for wristwatches under specific conditions. 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. However, the Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro should not be used for scuba diving, waterskiing or other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth.

² All such extracts are copyright of IEC, Geneva, Switzerland. All rights reserved. Further information on the IEC is available from http://www.iec.ch. IEC has no responsibility for the placement and context in which the extracts and contents are reproduced by the author, nor is IEC in any way responsible for the other content or accuracy therein.

³ ATM ratings are not authorized by the ISO. Listed usage examples are guidelines only. The survivability of a device depends not only on the water depth, but also on the age of the sealing material, previous damage, temperature and additional mechanical stresses, among other variables.

⁴ Source: “Horology — Water-resistant watches” © ISO 2010

⁵ Speedo On comes pre-loaded on the Gear Fit2 Pro and will be available for download on Gear Sport.

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 ground-breaking 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 Endomondo² 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 favourite music online, offline or even without your smartphone so you can enjoy your favourite 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 colourful 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 colour 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 favourite 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 favourite 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 samsung.com/za

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 5 ATM rating of 50 meters (165 feet) under specific conditions. 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 high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth.

²Under 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.