Samsung Executive Says no Product Launch at Health-Focussed Event

Samsung, contradicting earlier rumours, has said that it will not be introducing any new products at its May 28 event in San Francisco.

The news comes directly from Stefan Heuser, Samsung VP, who said, "It is not a product announcement" when asked about the health-focused event by Re/code.

This pours cold water on previous rumours of the Korean tech giant planning to introduce a new health-focussed product just ahead of Apple's developer conference the following week, where Apple is expected to preview iOS 8, which is said to come with Healthbook app.

As Re/code notes, Samsung, as a firm, is broadly divided in to two halves. While one part of the company makes devices like TVs, smartphones, tablets, the other deals with components like chips, storage, displays and more. The May 28 event is being hosted by the latter, so the likelihood of the launch of end-user focussed products is minimal at best.

However, Samsung has not yet indicated what it will be introducing at the event, choosing to stay tight-lipped on the issue.

On the other hand rival Apple is said to be planning the release of its fitness-oriented Healthbook app along with the introduction of iOS 8. As per previous reports, the app could be a one-stop resource for tracking personal health as well as fitness, nutrition, sleep and exercise.

The Healthbook app might also include card-style design showing user's Bloodwork, Heart Rate, Hydration, Blood Pressure, Activity, Nutrition, Blood Sugar, Sleep, Respiratory Rate, Oxygen Saturation and Weight, along with an 'Emergency Card', which presumably lists emergency contact information and instructions for first responders.

It has been further speculated that Apple's long-rumoured first wearable device, the iWatch, would tie-in with Healthbook and provide data.,Third-party devices will also be allowed to tie-in with Healthbook, just like Apple's Passbook.