Samsung showrooms to demo Galaxy Note 3, Gear Smartwatch

As the world waits in anxious anticipation for the unveiling of Mountain View’s mysterious Google Barges, it seems Samsung has already decided they’re a great idea and is moving forward with its own plans for showroom-style retail outlets. The company will use the showrooms to demonstrate some of the new features available with devices like the Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Gear Smartwatch and Galaxy Note 10.1.

Google is rumored to be working on a similar, if not sea-based retail strategy for its highly-anticipated Glass eyewear, banking on the notion that the product will sell better if demonstrated live. For Samsung, the strategy is dubious at best since its primary obstacle so far hasn’t been getting people to buy the Galaxy Gear, but rather to keep it.     

“We believe our latest mobile technologies have the ability to transform your everyday by making your life easier, more efficient and more fun,” said Younghee Lee, executive vice president of global marketing, IT & mobile division at Samsung Electronics, in a press statement. “We’re offering tangible evidence of the way in which our devices enable you to better connect with the world so that you can truly design your life. With our devices we are able to amplify each retailer’s in-store experience in a meaningful way, ultimately providing value to the visiting customer.”

Samsung says that shoppers will be exposed to “unexpected ways” of using some of its new products, such as on-the-fly photo customization using the company’s updated S-Pen.

According to the press release, the first “Galaxy Studio” opened in Seoul, with additional locations opening in London and New York City to coincide with the holiday shopping season. New York’s Studio will be located in SOHO and the company has promised to provide coffee and refreshments as “a respite from the cold weather and crowded streets.”

It’s unclear yet what Samsung will offer as a respite for the lack of features or compatibility options on the Galaxy Gear Smartwatch, but at least there are more notifications now.