To accompany the launch of the new Samsung Galaxy S4 flagship smartphone a particularly large and varied selection of accessories has been announced. Samsung’s extensive new range of accessories complements and extends your smartphone’s utility value, especially in the area of health and fitness. Beyond the fitness focussed bits and bobs there is an interesting looking gamepad and the usual covers and charger style accessories we are all used to.
Health accessories
Samsung strategists must see health and fitness as an area in which its Galaxy S4 can add some extra appeal and boost its latest smartphone’s desirability. We saw earlier in the report about the Samsung Galaxy S4 launch that “S Health 2” software built into the phone was prominent among the software enhancements on offer. Let’s have a look at some of the S Health enhancing hardware. All of these accessories use Bluetooth to pass data to your Galaxy S4.
S Band: Samsung’s S Band is a wrist worn health monitoring accessory. It can record the number of steps you have taken, how far you’ve travelled and how many calories you have burned. The S Band also monitors you as you sleep and can keep a check on your night movements... It’s waterproof and available in a choice of four colours.
HRM: Samsung’s Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) is worn across the chest and monitors your heart rate in real time.
Body Scale: A set of Bluetooth scales is the final Samsung health accessory for now. Usefully the scales can keep track of up to seven different users to watch the ups and downs of a whole household.
Samsung Game Pad
Mobile gaming is big and getting bigger, so a specially made Samsung Game Pad may well be a popular accessory. A smartphone tray extends out from the controller to snugly fit a variety of screen sizes from 4-inch to 6.3-inch. As you can see in the photo, there is a good selection of buttons and directional pads with which to zap aliens. Again this accessory uses Bluetooth for communicating with your smartphone.
Charging, covers and other accessories
Wireless charging pad and cover: Samsung will be releasing a combined set, offering purchasers a wireless charging pad and the replacement special back cover necessary for the charging to take place.
There’s also an extra battery kit which includes an extra battery with a carry case that doubles as a charger. That’s convenient for leaving at home or the office and swapping out as and when necessary.
An S View cover is going to be available. This is similar to the Galaxy S3 flip cover case but with an added window through which you can see notifications without having to tire yourself slipping the thing open. A standard flip cover case without window will also be made available. More protection options will be offered by a specially made pouch and a Samsung official rubber bumper Protective Cover +.
Finally there’s a new headset available in which both ears will be assaulted by a woofer and tweeter combo. The headset includes the usual inline remote, microphone and action button.
Overall that’s a very good selection of accessories from Samsung which makes the new flagship Galaxy S4 even more appealing especially but not only for fitness fanatics.
