A new patent application from Samsung might suggest that they are working on a new smartwatch. Unlike the Samsung Gear S, however, this smartwatch will sport a circular display with a rotatable ring; at least, that’s what the patent shows.
This mysterious smartwatch’s rotatable ring isn’t just for show either. According to the patent, the ring doubles as an input method, much like how the crown of the Apple Watch is said to function. It’s worth noting that this patent application isn’t just for the rotatable ring, it is also for the ability to display a schedule on the round display like a pie chart of some sort.
As with all patent applications, however, we have to take all of these with a grain of salt. Patent applications are ultimately just that, applications; it’s not uncommon for big corporations like Samsung to file a patent that ends up not making it to any of its products.
But, we have previously reported that Samsung filed a patent for a round smartwatch with gesture control, and assuming that this is the same device, Samsung could at least be working on a round smartwatch to go against the Motorola Moto 360 and LG G Watch R.
Only traditional watches have a rotatable ring for various functions, and the probability of seeing this feature make it to a smartwatch as an input method is pretty exciting.
(Source: WIPO via SamMobile, Galaxy Club)
