Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 Rumors: Next-Generation Smart Watch Already In Development, January Release Date Possible

Pre-orders haven’t even begun for the Samsung Galaxy Gear smart watch, but the Korean technology company is already working on a follow-up.

Sources with Samsung report that the Galaxy Gear 2 is already in development and will include GPS, improved battery life, and offer support for more Android devices. The Galaxy Gear 2 could even be unveiled as soon as the Consumer Electronics Show in January or the Mobile World Congress in February.

AT&T announced Monday that it would start taking pre-orders for the original Galaxy Gear smart watch on Tuesday.

Since Samsung (OTCMKTS: SSNLF) unveiled the Galaxy Gear at the “Unpacked” event, the smart watch has faced criticism for its physical design, user interface and short battery life. It can also only work with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, though Samsung says future updates will allow the device to pair with more devices.

It could be that the current Galaxy Gear smart watch is more of a test run for Samsung. Many reviewers have noted that the device feels very much like a first attempt, and an additional four or five months could give Samsung time to iron out the kinks and take note of how consumers respond to wearable technology.

Samsung may also have felt pressure to release a smart watch before Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), which is believed to be developing its own smart watch. Samsung has faced criticism in the past for copying Apple’s designs, and it may have been looking to avoid similar criticism by beating Apple to the punch in the growing smart watch market.