Samsung and Sony to launch new products before Apple

Samsung Electronics and Sony Corp. would present new devices next month as the two electronic giants are competing to steal Apples moment.

Samsung’s Galaxy Gear, a wireless technology department of Samsung would unveil a wristwatch-like device with features of a smartphone. Thats definitely not all from Samsung as the companys Note 3 will be introduced Sept. 4, according to people familiar with the matter. Sony’s latest Xperia smartphone, featuring imaging sensors used in its TVs and cameras, will be unveiled the same day, two other people said.

The two Asian electronic firms are trying to boost sales near holidays as much as deflecting attention from upcoming showing of Apples new iPhone and iTab devices expected to be presented on Sept. 10.

“It is meaningful for Samsung to launch the product first ahead of Apple,” said for Bloomberg James Song, a Seoul-based analyst at Daewoo Securities Co. “Putting new devices out there ahead of Apple will at least have some positive leapfrogging impact on both companies.”

Samsung is aiming to introduce next month a wristwatch-like device that can make phone calls, surf the Web and handle e-mails, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to identified before a formal announcement. The device will be powered by Google’s Android operating system and go on sale this year to beat a potentially competing product from Apple, the people said to Bloomberg. The mini device being released next month won’t have a flexible display, though the company is continuing to work on developing a bendable screen.

Sony’s new flagship Xperia smartphone, named Honami, will feature imaging technology developed for its cameras and ultra-high definition TVs, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Xperia handsets are part of CEO Kazuo Hirai’s plan to revive Sony with smartphones, TVs and game consoles that connect with the company’s entertainment content. To lure customers from Apple and Samsung, the Tokyo-based company is using “X-Reality” picture-enhancement chips developed for TVs and sensors for Cyber-shot cameras, the people said.

Samsung shares sank 1% to 1,282,000 won as of 11:36 a.m. in Seoul, extending this year’s decline to 16%. Sony declined 0.6% to 1,951 yen in Tokyo.