Related Articles
Camilla Sjodin/Samsung
Samsung is taking its fitness fascination to a whole other level. The company announced Wednesday that it’s partnering with Trek bicycles to see how its gadgets can better the cycling experience of riders of all levels — from elite cyclists to weekend warriors to everyday commuters.
The company has begun testing some of its mobile products — such as the Galaxy S5, its Gear portfolio, and the Galaxy Note — on the Trek Factory Racing Team as they train for some of the world’s top races, such as the Tour de France. As they ride, the team will monitor their health stats, racing cadence, and speed, along with communicate about team strategies and race routes.
The goal for Samsung is to examine this information and then identify cycling-focused features that it can integrate into its line of mobile devices.
Related stories
- Samsung Gear line gets heart monitor, pedometer updates
- Apple iWatch could tap into patented weightlifting sensor
- FlyKly smart bicycle wheel gives riders electric momentum
- Fitness fanatics are driving a mobile app usage boom
- Microsoft to release wearable fitness tracker this fall, report says
“Fitness and wellness are important parts of people’s lives, and Samsung is continuously focused on integrating meaningful features into our smart mobile devices,” Samsung’s Global Marketing, IT & Mobile Communications executive vice president Younghee Lee said in a statement emailed to CNET. “Through our collaboration with Trek, we will be able to better understand the needs of cyclists to enhance their interaction with mobile devices and enable athletes and fans to stay connected and active in their daily lives.”
Samsung and Trek hinted at their partnership during CES in January. At the consumer electronics show, the companies showed off two prototype bicycles tricked out with tech gadgets. One bike had a Galaxy Gear handlebar mount and sensors on the rear of the bike that were able to wirelessly record users’ speed, distance, cadence, location, and other data. The other bike had a hub on the front wheel that could charge a Galaxy Note 3, mounted to the handlebars, whenever the cyclist was pedaling.
Ever since Samsung released its Galaxy Gear smartwatch last fall, it has continued to boost its fitness-focused line-up. The company dropped the Galaxy name for its smartwatches in February when it unveiled the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo. These two devices are touted as having several standalone features alongside the ability to act as a companion to a Samsung smartphone. Alongside the refreshed smartwatch lineup, Samsung also debuted the Gear Fit in February. This wearable is a slim fitness band with a full-color screen.
