On trend in design and technology.

The Samsung Gear S3 that was first revealed at this year’s IFA in September, was showcased to a group of media at a lavish location in Bondi Beach today, offering a hands-on experience to attendees.

Commenting on the choice of location for the Australian launch was Samsung vice president of IT, Richard Fink. “When we thought about a location for this launch, Bondi Icebergs came up and it perfectly reflects our new Gear S3. It’s stylishly designed, perfect for the Australian outdoor lifestyle and smart inside. That’s what we like to think our Gear S3 is,” he said.

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Speaking about the device was Samsung head of category, Eric Chou. “At Samsung, we keep talking about wanting to bring meaningful innovation to our customers so they can get the most out of the technology. We have done that with our phones and in 2013, when we first launched the Gear, it was an interesting time as the market was in its infancy and consumers didn’t know what to do with smartwatches. But we have continued to lead the way, talk to our customers and listen to how they use their smart device.

“In 2015, we introduced the Gear S2 and straight away, we knew it was a winner. For the first time, we had a watch that looked like a watch with the iconic rotating bezel. Fast forward to today, we are talking about the Gear S3, which sets a new benchmark for wearable technology.

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“The number one factor consumers look for in a smartwatch is the design. They want it to resemble a Swiss watch. In addition to the design is the Always On Display. Consumers don’t want a smartwatch that just goes blank when it’s not in use. They want the face to appear all the time.

“Furthermore, local research has shown that people who own a smartwatch are exercising 30 minutes more on average per day than those who don’t own one. For the first time, we have built a military-standard spec into the Gear S3for it to withstand extreme temperatures and pressures.”

The Gear S3 has an RRP of $599 and is available on pre-sale from Harvey Norman, Samsung Experience Stores and the Samsung online store until Thursday prior to wider availability from Friday.