Could the Gear S be Samsung's next wearable?

Samsung might be gearing up for a new wearable dubbed the "Gear S."

The Korean electronics giant late last week filed a trademark application with the US Patent and Trademark Office for the phrase Samsung Gear S.

The trademark application doesn't provide much information, but "Gear" is the name Samsung has given to its wearables line. It's also somewhat safe to assume the device won't be Android since it doesn't include the moniker of "Galaxy." Then there's the "S" part of the trademark; Samsung has given that label to its flagship products, including its Galaxy S line of smartphones and new Galaxy Tab S tablet. A device labeled as the Gear S could be Samsung's new flagship wearable, potentially released at the IFA electronics show in September. It's also possible, however, that Samsung never uses the trademark.

Samsung said in a statement that it's "committed to relentless innovation and new products are always in development," but it doesn't have any information to share at this time.

Samsung has released a handful of wearables over the past year -- including the Gear 2 watch, Gear Fit smart fitness band, and Gear Live Android-based smartwatch -- and the company is believed to be working on various other models for release in the coming months. That could include smart glasses similar to Google Glass, as well as a watch that has its own internal connectivity and doesn't require a smartphone to function.

Before unveiling the Galaxy Gear last September, Samsung filed for a US trademark for that phrase on July 29, 2013.

The wearables market is important focus for Samsung as high-end smartphone and tablet sales slow. The company dominates the phone market with its Galaxy S devices, but it also has worked to expand in other markets. While Samsung is seen as a leader in wearables with its smartwatches, the overall response to the devices has been tepid.

(Via the Download Tizen Apps blog)

Gear S Trademark