Why TaylorMade is betting on the Samsung Gear smartwatches?


By: September 27, 2017


Do you remember when I reported about the cooperation between TaylorMade and Microsoft? At the beginning of the summer of 2015, Microsoft launched its Microsoft Golf Tile, a new version of its fitness band. Microsoft Golf Tile is not really a smartwatch neither a fitness tracker, but rather something in between. It seems like the cooperation has not delivered the desired results. Well, I am not so surprised as Windows Mobile is a marginal mobile operating system.

TaylorMade’s myRoundPro & Samsung Gear

Meanwhile, we can see a continuous growth of smartwatch sales, but the enthusiasm is still missing. GfK’s Tech Trends 2017 found that only 33% of people are tracking or monitoring their health or fitness via an online or mobile application, fitness band, clip or smartwatch.

Some sources explain this by that the customers are still waiting for distinct capabilities plus products that can run independently from their phones. This is why it is interesting to hear about TaylorMade’s decision signing an exclusive partnership with Samsung. It is also noteworthy that TaylorMade’s myRoundPro will run on an Android Wear and not on the market leader Apple Watch.

The total value of smartwatch shipments in 2017 is expected to reach $10 billion by the end of 2017, according to a Canalys report.

TaylorMade’s myRoundPro statistical analysis platform will be available exclusively for the Samsung Gear S3 and recently announced Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro fitness band. Probably the biggest benefit for golfers is that they can go hands-free and be able to view yardage to the front, middle and back of the green in addition to the total distance of their previous shot.

TaylorMade Samsung Gear S3

When I read the news about the cooperation between TaylorMade and Samsung, Hole19’s Apple Watch application came to my mind that provides much more useful features like:

  • Tee Time booking available on more than 2,500 Golf Courses across the USA;
  • Course Ratings and Reviews, Course Weather Forecast and Deals;
  • Finding and following our golf buddies and get a live feed of their golfing exploits.

My concern is that I don’t want to have for every single activity a new device, but rather a multifunctional one.