Wearable computer

At a tech show last week, Samsung proudly announced the Samsung Galaxy Gear; a “fashion icon” complete with attractive inclusions such as a coloured touch screen, microphone and camera.

The Gear is the premier smartwatch for the world’s largest information technology company. The high-tech gadget allows users to check emails with a glance at their wrist and make and receive calls secret agent style, connecting wirelessly to the user’s smartphone.

Smartwatches have been around for years, but so far have failed to attract a high degree of consumer interest.

With a fairly hefty price tag and the watch's dependence on a parent device for full functionality, sceptics are not entirely convinced that this little time machine will rocket launch the mobile conglomerate into the future.

Technology analyst, Chris Green, relayed: “Consumers might be a bit disappointed to find that the smartwatch is a partner device reliant on being paired with a Samsung Android smartphone or tablet, rather than being the completely autonomous media and communications device many consumers were expecting and hoping for.”

Level: A2

Exercises

1)	a.	What may be viewed as a disadvantage concerning how the Gear works?
	b.	What term does the world’s largest information technology company use in describing their latest gadget?
	c.	How would you describe the time keeping device’s affordability? Quote from the text to support your answer.
	d.	Describe the possible functions of the Gear in your own words.
2)	a.	As a class, read through this article together. Record any new or difficult words on the whiteboard as you go. Write definitions for these words.
	b.	List the names used to refer to the Gear in this text.
	c.	In pairs, write a letter to someone you think would benefit from the smartwatch. Make use of the names, terms and new and difficult words from this text.
	d.	Trade letters with another pair and discuss ways in which you can make improvements to them.
	e.	Hand in your letter to the teacher who can re-write some of the paragraphs on the whiteboard for discussion.
3)	a.	Go to the following webpage. Look at the photo gallery. What are some of the possible applications of these watches?
	c.	According to the comments written below the photo gallery, what is the general consensus of opinion regarding smartwatches? news.cnet.com/2300-1035_3-10016196.html In your own words, summarise the comments, adding your own opinion if you have one.
	d.	Share your summaries and observations with your class mates.
4)	a.	Are you enticed by high-tech gadgetry? If so what makes these gadgets so attractive? Discuss
	b.	Do you think this technology has been around for longer than we know? Discuss!