Samsung unveils Galaxy Gear smartwatch

South Korean technology giant Samsung Electronics Co. has unveiled its muchanticipated Galaxy Gear “smartwatch,” beating U.S. rival Apple to the punch.

The product, presented Wednesday at a press event ahead of the IFA consumer electronics fair in Berlin, was enthusiastically received by the public, who flooded Twitter and Facebook with realtime comments and images during the launch.

Although Galaxy Gear is not the first smartwatch on the market (the true pioneers have obtained very modest results thus far), the Koreans are looking to carve out a niche with a product that is easy to use and designed as an intermediary device that is able to run a variety of apps and sync with users’ Samsung smartphones and tablets.

“Galaxy Gear isn’t just a cool device that complements the Note 3 (smartphone). I believe it will become a new fashion icon around the world,” Shin Jongkyun, Samsung’s coCEO and president of the company’s IT and mobile communication division, said at the event while sporting an orangecolored Galaxy Gear on his wrist.

The smartwatch can be used to make and receive “handsfree” phone calls, take photos and receive email alerts and messages, among other features.

Critics note, however, that the Galaxy Gear, which has a 1.6inch screen, is a readonly device that does not allow users to input text.

The batterypowered device uses the Android operating system and has 512 megabytes of RAM and a 4gigabyte internal memory. It weighs just under 74 grams and comes in six colors black, gray, orange, beige, pink and lime green.

It will be available beginning Sept. 25 in 149 countries and will be priced at $299 in the United States.

During the same presentation, Samsung also launched its new Galaxy Note 3 “phablet” (smartphonetablet hybrid) and its new Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet.

Cupertino, Californiabased Apple is due to launch its own smartwatch in the coming months.