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I love this watch, I really do.. I have the Neo, but its still a sharp looking watch IMO. and depending on what I wear I can change the face to look even sharper :0
that said. where are the sport apps? Is Samsung really going to try to monopoly the health/sport crap?
I had the crappy POS Sony smart watch (first one) and one thing I loved, it had Endomondo on it, which was great as I could see my stats quickly while mountain biking. The silly "cycling" built in crap is stupid.. Shows MPH and thats it.. what a waste!
Endomondo is apparently coming soon. I see a couple of basic training apps and mapmyrun (although sadly I can't get it working) but I agree. This watch was supposed to be extra motivation for me to get my fat ass moving more!
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Free mobile app
Calorie count by hrm needed
I agree with the previous posts. We need something bad. The main motivator for me was exercise with a hrm, that I would wear all the time. I love the style and look of the watch. Also, the notifications are great, but I don't want that to be what I spent $200 on. I'm hoping Endomondo does it for me. Gets me the hrm tracking that I've been looking for which is not calculated using primarily distance.
tujitsu56 said:
I agree with the previous posts. We need something bad. The main motivator for me was exercise with a hrm, that I would wear all the time. I love the style and look of the watch. Also, the notifications are great, but I don't want that to be what I spent $200 on. I'm hoping Endomondo does it for me. Gets me the hrm tracking that I've been looking for which is not calculated using primarily distance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm hoping for Jefit to do something. I really hate pulling my phone out of my pocket after each rep.
I really need my endomondo cause dont want to start now all new exercise diary with samsung and leave my history on Endomondo.
Sent from my SM-P901 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Gear 2 as standard bluetooth HRM and step counter
I think it would be a great to have an app on the Gear 2 to make it a standard bluetooth heart rate monitor and step counter / cadence sensor.
Should be that hard to make an app for that, although I'm not sure what the OS allows.
J.
Hey guys, I am pretty much here to express why the Gear 2 was such a good idea on paper but terrible in reality. The fact of the matter is the Gear 2 sucks. The apecs are great the screen is beauitful the design isnt half bad if you ask me. But the sheer lack of apps is what makes the smartwatch so gimmicky. Yes I can pick up calls but I mean we can do the same thing with a pair if $20 headphones; so why did i buy a $300 'smart'watch? Well, here us the answer. I though it was better than android wear. For some reason I thought "hey, samsjng makes great products!" Which in reality it does, but Tizen was not the way to go. The sheer lack of apps makes this app a brick if you ask me. Also the lack of compatability! (What were they thinking?!) I mean have you seen how fast android wear is developing?! Its absolutely insane. I guess this a call to action if anythjbg for Samsung to either open up tizen or port Android Wear to the Gear 2 or make it incredibly easy for devs to use Tizen because if it doesn't itll suffer the same fate as any other OS besides Android or Apple (not a threat LOL.)
Post your ideas below.
adr14ng said:
Hey guys, I am pretty much here to express why the Gear 2 was such a good idea on paper but terrible in reality. The fact of the matter is the Gear 2 sucks. The apecs are great the screen is beauitful the design isnt half bad if you ask me. But the sheer lack of apps is what makes the smartwatch so gimmicky. Yes I can pick up calls but I mean we can do the same thing with a pair if $20 headphones; so why did i buy a $300 'smart'watch? Well, here us the answer. I though it was better than android wear. For some reason I thought "hey, samsjng makes great products!" Which in reality it does, but Tizen was not the way to go. The sheer lack of apps makes this app a brick if you ask me. Also the lack of compatability! (What were they thinking?!) I mean have you seen how fast android wear is developing?! Its absolutely insane. I guess this a call to action if anythjbg for Samsung to either open up tizen or port Android Wear to the Gear 2 or make it incredibly easy for devs to use Tizen because if it doesn't itll suffer the same fate as any other OS besides Android or Apple (not a threat LOL.)
Post your ideas below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you, the potential is extraorinary with this watch, but Samsung is failing to use this potential. I really hope we get an android wear update some day.
Interesting but I just bought a Gear 2 after selling two Gear Neo and trying Android Wear and also a Sony - for me the simplicity of the Gear is just right.
It's a notification device not a replacement for your mobile.
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
Guys I know you might not want to here this but after coming full circle back, I setup my Gear today (this time the Brown/Gold), absolutely loving it.
The grass always seems greener ...
But guess it depends on expectation.
had the original gear then the sony but once wear came out I grabbed myself a lg g watch which i liked but missed the camera all the way through all of them. Picked up a gear 2 changed the strap for metal one and could not be happier Love the camera which is a major need for me and function wise its fine although I'll admit the notifications are not on par with my lg but I prefer a peep to a vibrate too
In short .... I love mine and trust me it turns heads when people notice it.
it might be good on paper but it depends on how someone use a device. I got a free Gear 2neo when I bought my Tab S 8.4, sold the neo and bought myself a gear 2 basically for the camera, and the love-love (no love-hate here for me) relationship began, installed fleksy keyboard and i never have to pull out my tablet when travelling (i commute to one of the most dangerous place in the world LOL) added a few needed apps by editing my tab S build prop so I have the latest gear app list. answering calls with this looks a bit odd but awesome to others, although you hate it when people eavesdrop, so got me-self a gear circle, paired everything up and im a happy man.
camera wise, 2mpxl is enough for those quick snaps, like when a cool lambo stops beside you and you want a quick snapshot.
in the end, it all boils down on how you use it, it may not have all the bells and whistle that other platform has, still.. worth every penny i invested in.
As an owner of the gear 2 neo I feel this device is nearly useless. Unfortunaltey, I couldn't choose the smartwatch as it was a present..
Right now I'm just using it to quickly check notifications, nothing else. Why? Because I hate Touchwiz so:
I don't use their email app -> can't use email feature on the gear
I don't use their sms app -> can't really reply to any message if not through SVoice (but that doesn't work that good)
Can't reply to most of the messages on whatsapp/telegram: maybe with flesky you can but since I'm not english mothertongue, I need to write into another language and I read it's a pain replying this way (if possible, haven't tried).
SVoice is SLOW: you ask for something, it spends too many seconds processing; try google now and you'll see the difference.
Now I'm using a touchwiz based custom rom on my GS4 to take advantage of the little things I can do (read notifications, check calendar, use svoice for replying to sms, check time!) but TW is sluggish and it's just not a good experience.
Also the total lack of any useful app for this smartwatch make it even more useless if possible.
Months have passed since the release of this product and there is no real development, so to me this is a dead product.
OP is partially right, if Samsung ports this to android wear we can still save something, otherwise Tizen isn't going anywhere and this watch will be just junk...
Kwbmm said:
As an owner of the gear 2 neo I feel this device is nearly useless. Unfortunaltey, I couldn't choose the smartwatch as it was a present..
Right now I'm just using it to quickly check notifications, nothing else. Why? Because I hate Touchwiz so:
I don't use their email app -> can't use email feature on the gear
I don't use their sms app -> can't really reply to any message if not through SVoice (but that doesn't work that good)
Can't reply to most of the messages on whatsapp/telegram: maybe with flesky you can but since I'm not english mothertongue, I need to write into another language and I read it's a pain replying this way (if possible, haven't tried).
SVoice is SLOW: you ask for something, it spends too many seconds processing; try google now and you'll see the difference.
Now I'm using a touchwiz based custom rom on my GS4 to take advantage of the little things I can do (read notifications, check calendar, use svoice for replying to sms, check time!) but TW is sluggish and it's just not a good experience.
Also the total lack of any useful app for this smartwatch make it even more useless if possible.
Months have passed since the release of this product and there is no real development, so to me this is a dead product.
OP is partially right, if Samsung ports this to android wear we can still save something, otherwise Tizen isn't going anywhere and this watch will be just junk...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think everything is relative. I love my Gear 2 Neo. I initially was not so sure (have also a pebble) - but now, after wearing it for a couple of days I will be selling the Pebble.
I love the amazing screen - with long battery life (do not want to charge daily - like android wear), the very fast notification; the good selection of useful apps (IR remote; remote view of phone camera; calendar; fitness apps; simple games; many many good watchfaces etc.); the ability to take a quick call on the watch itself...
Also, being able to send SMS messages directly from the watch is in many cases very handy.
I have shown the watch to a few colleagues of mine - now they also want one...
I understand you dont like it - I do. So do people I have showed mine to. ( I do not use Svoice - see no need for it; so I cannot comment on how good or bad it is)
Android Wear may have more apps - but the short battery life and lack of some features (use the watch as a phone, IR blaster etc.) - make Android Wear (for me) quite inferior to the Gear 2 Neo
If Samsung would port Android Wear to the gear 2 neo, so we can keep the features we have AND have the more apps: that would be of course best. But I would think that Android Wear would bring us the "feature" of needing to charge once per day - and that is not a feature I would want
adr14ng said:
Hey guys, I am pretty much here to express why the Gear 2 was such a good idea on paper but terrible in reality. The fact of the matter is the Gear 2 sucks. The apecs are great the screen is beauitful the design isnt half bad if you ask me. But the sheer lack of apps is what makes the smartwatch so gimmicky. Yes I can pick up calls but I mean we can do the same thing with a pair if $20 headphones; so why did i buy a $300 'smart'watch? Well, here us the answer. I though it was better than android wear. For some reason I thought "hey, samsjng makes great products!" Which in reality it does, but Tizen was not the way to go. The sheer lack of apps makes this app a brick if you ask me. Also the lack of compatability! (What were they thinking?!) I mean have you seen how fast android wear is developing?! Its absolutely insane. I guess this a call to action if anythjbg for Samsung to either open up tizen or port Android Wear to the Gear 2 or make it incredibly easy for devs to use Tizen because if it doesn't itll suffer the same fate as any other OS besides Android or Apple (not a threat LOL.)
Post your ideas below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can see the point you are making, you expected a james bond type watch and got somthing far from it. but your conclusion for it terrible is because of your expectations. I see i a lot of people saying lack of apps is a factor that gear 2 is no good, have you seen android wear it does not have any apps, it only works as an extension to your existing apps. the only thing good about the android wear is the OK Google hot word, and as much as it sounds and looks good in the videos it just doesnt work when you want it to.
Also what do you want from a smart watch, give me an example of an app that is so badly needed on the watch and it does not exist?
and finally its a watch you are not suppose to spend time on it its just there to make little things easier, you dont want to be engaged with it for more than 10-20s.
Also as far as my knowledge goes gear 2 fit perfectly in the middle of being a long lasting eink watch (pebble) with very little things and the android wear that has the "ok google" thing and always on display but last at max 2 days). my experience with gear 2 has been 5 days of use and i am very happy with it.
I see it as something of a conversation starter among friends and keeps my phone in the pocket to experience the real world more.
here are examples of some apps you might like,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gear-2/themes-apps/nownotifier-development-t2914013
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wearablewidgets
I agree with Wear, but it is still great for me!
I love my Gear 2. I do agree that Wear is probably better in many ways, and I may go for a Wear next time, but this is far from useless. I use it for:
Shows my next appointment when I look at the time - this is the most used and useful of all IMO.
Notifications of email and SMS
Possible reply to SMS (rare)
Control of media (often, and it avoids the need to take the phone out or keep it out when travelling)
Locking my phone if I leave or lose it
Finding my phone or watch when I lose them
To Do list (not that useful, sometimes as a short shopping list)
Voice memo - great to record fleeting ideas
Remote for TV in case I lose it
Turning off TVs in public (without being obvious) - I love that!
Simple Italian phrases with sound - a quick and easy reminder
answering the phone without getting the phone out and missing the call (all too often)
answering my phone from the pool - I love being able to do that!
I have tried a lot of other apps, all sorts of games and drawing/writing apps, but the screen is too small. I use the camera occasionally, but not for much. I like it for what it is and am more than happy with it. Battery life is amazing, too. I get the feeling that some people just expect too much from smart watches.
My first post here, and I'd like to express some frustrations with the Gear 2 as well. I got it as a xmas present from my wife and initially, I really liked it.
After a couple of updates though, it seems like Samsung has made this "smart" watch a bit less smart. I was once able to tell S-Voice not to "talk" after giving it a command, but now that's no longer an option and can only reduce the volume down to "1".
Instead of increasing the level of tweaks in the app, they've removed a lot of them (running it on an S5).
Every time there's a software update, some of the apps stop working and I have to re-install them.
Creating tasks on the watch works great, but I only get reminders on my phone.
Does anyone know if there are plans to continue developing the Gear app for this watch? It almost seems like they're abandoning it as far as I can tell.
OTOH, I realize these types of devices are still in their infancy, so I'm not expecting this to be perfect, but my point is that in the last four months that I've had this thing, it keeps getting less and less useful after every update!
LuiFranco said:
My first post here, and I'd like to express some frustrations with the Gear 2 as well. I got it as a xmas present from my wife and initially, I really liked it.
After a couple of updates though, it seems like Samsung has made this "smart" watch a bit less smart. I was once able to tell S-Voice not to "talk" after giving it a command, but now that's no longer an option and can only reduce the volume down to "1".
Instead of increasing the level of tweaks in the app, they've removed a lot of them (running it on an S5).
Every time there's a software update, some of the apps stop working and I have to re-install them.
Creating tasks on the watch works great, but I only get reminders on my phone.
Does anyone know if there are plans to continue developing the Gear app for this watch? It almost seems like they're abandoning it as far as I can tell.
OTOH, I realize these types of devices are still in their infancy, so I'm not expecting this to be perfect, but my point is that in the last four months that I've had this thing, it keeps getting less and less useful after every update!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately they moved to Android wear, and you're right in thinking they basically abandoned tizen development. My issue is that the three key "bonus" features for me were : speaker phone, ir remote, and camera and I can't find those things on any other device! Otherwise only looks seem to set apart the other watches
I agree .... I loved my gear 2 with all its camera goodness but had to move onto wear when I changed to a nexus 6 still miss her even though I would change my nexus for anything .....
Since this update I got a 360 and honestly. Wear does notifications better. They have the whole thread of messages and it doesn't get mixed up no matter what client you use. I'll admit I miss the tizen battery life. But I will say both are giving me issues with fitness tracking, the fit app is incompatible with my s5 and s health is always a mess if you ask me.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
I entirely agree with you.
adr14ng said:
Hey guys, I am pretty much here to express why the Gear 2 was such a good idea on paper but terrible in reality. The fact of the matter is the Gear 2 sucks. The apecs are great the screen is beauitful the design isnt half bad if you ask me. But the sheer lack of apps is what makes the smartwatch so gimmicky. Yes I can pick up calls but I mean we can do the same thing with a pair if $20 headphones; so why did i buy a $300 'smart'watch? Well, here us the answer. I though it was better than android wear. For some reason I thought "hey, samsjng makes great products!" Which in reality it does, but Tizen was not the way to go. The sheer lack of apps makes this app a brick if you ask me. Also the lack of compatability! (What were they thinking?!) I mean have you seen how fast android wear is developing?! Its absolutely insane. I guess this a call to action if anythjbg for Samsung to either open up tizen or port Android Wear to the Gear 2 or make it incredibly easy for devs to use Tizen because if it doesn't itll suffer the same fate as any other OS besides Android or Apple (not a threat LOL.)
Post your ideas below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am happy that you wrote it.
Worse thing i did with my life is probably buying this watch. After using it a few months I threw it away. Its sitting in its box. I bought a LG G Watch for 70€ (was on discount for 1 day) it has 5000 times more features you can use
kadeve said:
Worse thing i did with my life is probably buying this watch. After using it a few months I threw it away. Its sitting in its box. I bought a LG G Watch for 70€ (was on discount for 1 day) it has 5000 times more features you can use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"5000 times more features" bit of an exaggeration and purely your opinion, if that is the worse thing in your life then you must have a great one or sit at home doing nothing.
For the added advantages of android I saw none that made me want to change, major one was lack of camera.
jeffnz said:
"5000 times more features" bit of an exaggeration and purely your opinion, if that is the worse thing in your life then you must have a great one or sit at home doing nothing.
For the added advantages of android I saw none that made me want to change, major one was lack of camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
with all due respect jeffnz but I think you are an entry level user. Even the comparasion between Tizen and Android Wear is unfair. Tizen is stuck with poor SDK and HTML5 only support. If your user experience has been limited you wont see the difference because you are using the smartwatch just as a regular watch.
Android Wear has Tasker support and by using AutoApps you end up having infinite amount of features. But again I think you are an entry level user. I have a server and a raspberry pi that I use for my projects and home automation.
Just a few simple examples so you could maybe understand.
- When a video is played on computer lights go off, ambient light is set to match the video (ambilight) , Watch gets a Controller screen that has basic play/pause next fullscreen etc. buttons on low level brightness.
- When phone is charged , I get a notification and the smart wallplug cuts off the electricity that feeds the adapter. This is done by a raspberry pi with 433Mhz Receiver/transmitter kit ( which allows me control wall plugs individually)
check youtube for AutoWear app and you will understand better what you are missing.
I am an mechanical engineer, electrical engineer and a programmer. I am trying to make use of my skills at home as well as my professional life. Yeah android wear cant take a goddamn photo but I can give chain voice commands to start the freaking oven downstairs meanwhile the amblight is in disco mode...
kadeve said:
with all due respect jeffnz but I think you are an entry level user. Even the comparasion between Tizen and Android Wear is unfair. Tizen is stuck with poor SDK and HTML5 only support. If your user experience has been limited you wont see the difference because you are using the smartwatch just as a regular watch.
Android Wear has Tasker support and by using AutoApps you end up having infinite amount of features. But again I think you are an entry level user. I have a server and a raspberry pi that I use for my projects and home automation.
Just a few simple examples so you could maybe understand.
- When a video is played on computer lights go off, ambient light is set to match the video (ambilight) , Watch gets a Controller screen that has basic play/pause next fullscreen etc. buttons on low level brightness.
- When phone is charged , I get a notification and the smart wallplug cuts off the electricity that feeds the adapter. This is done by a raspberry pi with 433Mhz Receiver/transmitter kit ( which allows me control wall plugs individually)
check youtube for AutoWear app and you will understand better what you are missing.
I am an mechanical engineer, electrical engineer and a programmer. I am trying to make use of my skills at home as well as my professional life. Yeah android wear cant take a goddamn photo but I can give chain voice commands to start the freaking oven downstairs meanwhile the amblight is in disco mode...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for telling me all about yourself but isn't necessary as I stand by what I said it is purely your opinion and to you it may be 5000 times better in your mind but to most a gross exaggeration.
Also please don't try and guess what i am as you do not know me and it is clouding your judgement ven if you prefix your post with "all due respect" which is usually the opposite.
oh and I know tasker but just because you cuan run on Android wear doesn't mean it is a great reason to dis Tizen, once again that is the way you use your watch not all will do that. One size does not fit all
Gave it a shot but it just didn't meet my expectations for several reasons.
1. SHealth was extremely inaccurate both in distance and HR recording compared to my Garmin.
2. No split times recorded in SHealth. Anybody who runs wants to know their mile times.
3. Notifications were hit or miss.
4. Didn't like that for proper text and email integration you need to use the Samsung apps.
5. No group texting
6. Can't look backwards in calendar.
7. Not that it's a phone or tablet and I intended on loading the watch with apps, but, the app selection is a far cry from the 10,000 they claimed at release.
Things I did like.
1. Build quality
2. Size
3. LTE connectivity
4. Watch face selection
Returned my Frontier, too
The Samsung Gear App isn't shown in the Playstore for my Huawei MediaPad X2 Phone, so I loaded it as unknown application
I'm able to install the app and to start it
The gearS3 is also recognized by bluetooth, but prepairing the watch fails, because the app closes without any notification
The Samsung Page
apps.samsung.com/gear
for receiving the gear app direct by Samsung shows:
"This URL is only supported on mobil devices" (translated from german language)
on my Huawei Mediapad X2 mobil device
So I returned the watch to Amazon without any possibilty to test it
Edit
My AndroidWear Huawei Watch works without any limitations on the MediaPad X2
bye felicia.
Sampson0420 said:
bye felicia.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh?
Sampson0420 said:
bye felicia.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it.
My Gear S3 LTE is my fourth Gear and the third with 3G/LTE connectivity. It's the best of the four and, for me, the only wearable worth buying. They all have limitations by the way. The Gear family works best with Samsung phones and with Samsung's apps (EG: e-mail, MMS, contacts, etc.). Used that way it's literally a stand-alone alternative to your phone. And that's why I buy it. That and the Gear S3 has impressive battery life, a great display, a neat always on display, a fantastic UI, the ability to pay with your watch at any terminal, and the "write with your finger" really solves text entry on a wearable problem. For those with non-Samsung phones, especially iPhone users, know what you're buying before you buy it and you'll reduce your chances of being disappointed. None of what's been discussed hasn't been discussed a year ago on the Gear S2 forum.
Sounds like you expected it to be a phone on your wrist. No smartwatch will acheive that in the forseeable future.
Of course Garmin devices will track more accurately. That's their primary function. ON the Gear S3, it's an addition to it's main functions.
It's targeting the average consumer, not the fitness fanatics.
S3 is not cooking aldente pasta too...
All the reasons you mentioned are ridiculous, as everybody knows such limitations of the smartwatches.
the_scotsman said:
Sounds like you expected it to be a phone on your wrist. No smartwatch will acheive that in the forseeable future.
Of course Garmin devices will track more accurately. That's their primary function. ON the Gear S3, it's an addition to it's main functions.
It's targeting the average consumer, not the fitness fanatics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So based on the things I listed, what exactly is a smartwatch supposed to do? Notifications, email, text, etc...
And it's funny it's not targeted for fitness fanatics considering there was a commercial with a girl climbing a rock wall taking wait for it, a phone call. Additionally, why all the effort in creating all of the different exercise tracking if its not to be used as a fitness tracker? Being able to run with a watch that can provide text and email notifications and make actual phone calls, eventually stream Spotify without the need of an actual phone would be a huge advantage for any fitness fanatic. But the fact that it can't accurately track a run and provide split times renders it useless for fitness fanatics.
Gio999 said:
S3 is not cooking aldente pasta too...
All the reasons you mentioned are ridiculous, as everybody knows such limitations of the smartwatches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good reference.
So all of the things they tout that it will do it just does those half ass... Oh, now I get it. Those be the limitations you mentioned.
awilson181 said:
So based on the things I listed, what exactly is a smartwatch supposed to do? Notifications, email, text, etc...
And it's funny it's not targeted for fitness fanatics considering there was a commercial with a girl climbing a rock wall taking wait for it, a phone call. Additionally, why all the effort in creating all of the different exercise tracking if its not to be used as a fitness tracker? Being able to run with a watch that can provide text and email notifications and make actual phone calls, eventually stream Spotify without the need of an actual phone would be a huge advantage for any fitness fanatic. But the fact that it can't accurately track a run and provide split times renders it useless for fitness fanatics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're 100℅ correct that they've targeted athletes or people who want to track their various outdoor adventures. I was shocked that I couldn't do a manual lap in the s health running app as I like to track splits for my sprint workouts.
Apparently there is an update that improves GPS that should arrive soon.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
cdd543 said:
You're 100℅ correct that they've targeted athletes or people who want to track their various outdoor adventures. I was shocked that I couldn't do a manual lap in the s health running app as I like to track splits for my sprint workouts.
Apparently there is an update that improves GPS that should arrive soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, saw that yesterday...you know exactly the same day I returned it. Maybe by time Verizon gets it all the kinks will be worked out.
I love my g Gear S3, but I agree with the author of this thread. I have had the original Gear, Gear 2, Gear S, Gear S2 3g, and now the Gear S3 LTE. I have also had several AW watches (LG, Moto, Moto 2, LG Urbane 2 LTE). The Gear S3 is by far the best smartwatch I have owned. I pair it with a Sammy Note 5 so I get full capabilities.
I also have always owned a fitness band to track my workouts and runs since all the watches I mentioned above do a mediocre job as it relates to fitness tracking. I currently wear a Garmin Vivosmart HR+ on my other wrist. I use it for my fitness tracking. I haven't given the S3 a thorough test period yet, but on the few runs I have taken it on, it has performed above average. The GPS was almost exactly the same as my Garmin. The heart rate was close but annoyingly different from the Garmin. Basic step tracking is always 1000 plus below my steps on the Garmin at the end of the day.
It works great streaming downloaded music to my BT headset when I run and the challenge workout coaching is fun (speed up, run faster, you are on pace nice job, etc...).
When I first saw ads and videos of the S3 I too thought it would be the perfect solution and I could give up wearing another fitness device. For 1st time Gear owners I am sure many were also expecting Garmin or Fitbit type results. I don't think the S3 is delivering on it.
awilson181 said:
Gave it a shot but it just didn't meet my expectations for several reasons.
1. SHealth was extremely inaccurate both in distance and HR recording compared to my Garmin.
2. No split times recorded in SHealth. Anybody who runs wants to know their mile times.
3. Notifications were hit or miss.
4. Didn't like that for proper text and email integration you need to use the Samsung apps.
5. No group texting
6. Can't look backwards in calendar.
7. Not that it's a phone or tablet and I intended on loading the watch with apps, but, the app selection is a far cry from the 10,000 they claimed at release.
Things I did like.
1. Build quality
2. Size
3. LTE connectivity
4. Watch face selection
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True about Garmin vs s3. I returned my Garmin Fenix hr which was stupid of me.
awilson181 said:
Gave it a shot but it just didn't meet my expectations for several reasons.
1. SHealth was extremely inaccurate both in distance and HR recording compared to my Garmin.
2. No split times recorded in SHealth. Anybody who runs wants to know their mile times.
3. Notifications were hit or miss.
4. Didn't like that for proper text and email integration you need to use the Samsung apps.
5. No group texting
6. Can't look backwards in calendar.
7. Not that it's a phone or tablet and I intended on loading the watch with apps, but, the app selection is a far cry from the 10,000 they claimed at release.
Things I did like.
1. Build quality
2. Size
3. LTE connectivity
4. Watch face selection
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A smart watch is not the same thing as a specific fitness band or other such device. Neither can perform the others tasks.
Buyers remorse is a horrible thing and despite doing all our 'home work' prior to purchase there will always be some devices we purchase that we just don't like so return them.
Most important thing to remember though is the Gear S3 is a highly accomplished smart watch and if you didn't enjoy its ownership I would question if any smart watch would fit your requirements. Samsung make their own fitness band have you tried that?
The more I look at your list of disappointments the more I ponder if any smart watch can comply with that list? There are not that many choices of OS.
I do hope you find what fits your needs, let us know how you get along. :highfive:
Ryland
For the Nth time. No fitness tracker/smartwatch is ever accurate. You might find it accurate/ close to accurate at times- but various studies over time has proved them to be varying in accuracy over extended trials. Also, various company representatives like from Fitbit etc have made it clear that "these devices are designed to provide meaningful data to users to help them reach their health and fitness goals, and are not intended to be scientific or medical devices".
So unless you have a chest strap, you never get an accurate HR reading. So its time to focus on important things like get moving. Look at what you are trying to accomplish- if you plan to lose weight, your smartwatch/ fitness tracker should help you get closer to that goal and provide motivation. Now if you are a professional athlete and wants accurate reading and sh*t u probably already know what you need.
Hi
anoopjylive said:
For the Nth time. No fitness tracker/smartwatch is ever accurate. You might find it accurate/ close to accurate at times- but various studies over time has proved them to be varying in accuracy over extended trials. Also, various company representatives like from Fitbit etc have made it clear that "these devices are designed to provide meaningful data to users to help them reach their health and fitness goals, and are not intended to be scientific or medical devices".
So unless you have a chest strap, you never get an accurate HR reading. So its time to focus on important things like get moving. Look at what you are trying to accomplish- if you plan to lose weight, your smartwatch/ fitness tracker should help you get closer to that goal and provide motivation. Now if you are a professional athlete and wants accurate reading and sh*t u probably already know what you need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just ran a 10 mile certified race with my Garmin. That watch measured 10.18 which given the fact that I didn't run all the tangents I'd say that's really accurate. Been this way for any race I've done. Now a half a mile(or more in some cases) off like the gear 3, that's too much especially when the watch is determining split times. Or in the case of this watch, average mile time over the entire run since it can't provide mile splits for some reason.
awilson181 said:
Hi
I just ran a 10 mile certified race with my Garmin. That watch measured 10.18 which given the fact that I didn't run all the tangents I'd say that's really accurate. Been this way for any race I've done. Now a half a mile(or more in some cases) off like the gear 3, that's too much especially when the watch is determining split times. Or in the case of this watch, average mile time over the entire run since it can't provide mile splits for some reason.
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Click to collapse
Looks like you already got what you needed. And If accuracy is one thing that's very important, smart watches are not probably gonna fit your needs. We still gotta wait couple generations more I guess.
For me it's simple.
If you want a watch you buy a watch
If you want a smartwatch you buy a smartwatch
If you want to track your fitness you buy a fitness tracker
If you want all of the above and like gadgets get yourself a smartwatch. In which case the S3 is a good choice.
There is an old saying that accurately describes the S3: jack of all trades, master of none. The S3 is packed with every feature currently imaginable on a watch. It does each of these things to the 80th percentile. If you need the upper 20% you're going to have to get a focused device that's willing to sacrifice breadth of function in exchange for greater depth.
It isn't reasonable to expect the S3 to outperform a dedicated running watch, cycling computer, GPS, sleep monitoring device, or any other specialized gadget.
Me to going to return it back to amazon(classic)
The reason for that.
1.Too heavy,big and uncomfortable wearing it for many hours plus less attractive design than Zenwatch 3 I'm also having and gone keep at end.
2. I'm having several disconnection issue with plenty of Bluetooth stereo headset.
But one think I ll be missing is Tizen OS that to me is much more polished and friendly than android Wear.
Also the rotation mechanism I found it very comfortable and enjoyable.
Hey all, I have the gear s3, and the one thing I hate about it is how bad the exercise tracking is. I am currently using elliptical to track strength training for God's sake, because the latter does not use heart rate to calculate calories burned. So, my main question is, how is the new sport with tracking? Are there more options for exercise tracking? Do ones like strength training and such use heart rate now? Anything added that's cool like rep counting?
I am curious where Samsung is going with their fitness, if they're moving forward, or still stuck WAY behind AW, Fitbit, basically everyone else that matters. The Tizen 3 update will come to my watch eventually, so I'm also wondering if I should be excited or not. If they're not moving forward, this will likely be my last Sammy smartwatch/tracker.
Anyway, please and thanks! Screenshots would be amazing too!
I'm having troubles tracking in a slightly different manner. Cardio was not on the gear sport so I used other and Samsung health wouldn't let me edit it once synced on the phone. Does any one know how to track activities not on the gear device? I used endomondo to track indoor biking and it didn't count the calories. I would of liked to think once the correct activity is started on the phone it would sync to the watch while working out? I'm basically ready to return the Gear Sport.
djyosnow said:
I'm having troubles tracking in a slightly different manner. Cardio was not on the gear sport so I used other and Samsung health wouldn't let me edit it once synced on the phone. Does any one know how to track activities not on the gear device? I used endomondo to track indoor biking and it didn't count the calories. I would of liked to think once the correct activity is started on the phone it would sync to the watch while working out? I'm basically ready to return the Gear Sport.
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Click to collapse
Unfortunately, I don't believe you can start tracking on the phone and have it sync with the watch. Only the other way around.
If you select manage items in S Health on the phone, you can pick more exercise trackers.
So, does 'other' on the watch have a heart rate monitor on it while it's tracking? Other is what I was using until I found out it didn't track heart rate and use it for calculating calories burned on my watch. On mine (gear s3 with Tizen 2), I have exercise bike, cycling, etc. and quite a few other cardio types available. Your sport does not? I'm not sure which of those track heart rate, but I use elliptical for my workouts and it does and is fairly accurate. Way more than without the heart rate tracking anyway. If the other options you are looking for do not track heart rate, you might just use elliptical buddy. Or return the watch and get an Android Wear or Garmin for better tracking options.
I'm in the same boat. I don't want to get rid of this watch, it's pretty damn secksay, but, I exercise 4-5 days a week, and it's a huge part of my life, so, I need something that will track this stuff better. I was waiting to see if Sammy fixed their incredibly lacking tracker software in Tizen 3 before I started looking elsewhere. If it's not better, I'll probably wait until spring to see if anyone updates their smartwatches then grab something from AW.
Anyway, thanks for the input!
I think I tired other and it was tracking HR for me, which I read is suppose to be slightly updated over the S3. I think GPS has been updated as it works more accurately for me than the S3 I tested. Bu, for a watch marketed as a Sport model that is also named Sport it's missing a good bit of features. Like for walking/running/hiking, it lacks a cadence score, there is no general cardio, or dance option, and lacks a general weightlifting activity. Other things I've noticed the that altimeter and baro data would not get updated unless it was connected to my phone or wifi network(even when GPS is on), which would not be good if I was outdoors hiking with no reception. If Suunto, Garmin, Polar(m600 included) and Apple can do it without data, why can't Samsung? I've been tweeting at Samsung some of the negatives I have noticed and I think it be wise if others did too.
Side note, I remember when testing out the S3 there was a GPS based Speedometer app in the store, but I can't seem to find it anymore, which either means it doesn't work with the Sport and/or Tizen 3.0
Yes the gear devices are pretty to look at. As for the "other" tracking I thought it grabbed my hr and other stats. It was not available to edit it from the health app. I'm now using Map my run and I belive I'll be OK. As I can edit the activities. Though I would still like to see aerobics which I'm not. It calls it something like gym total body workout. I really find it odd and frustrating that I have to use a 3rd party app on my gear sport. Good MFing job Samsung, way to f that up and you only had one job.
Like I said maybe if we group tweet at Samsung they maybe will think about adding stuff in an update?
bigsnack said:
Like I said maybe if we group tweet at Samsung they maybe will think about adding stuff in an update?
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Doubt it. We're not the only ones complaining about it. There's a thread on Sammy's site that's been going since January this year telling Samsung how terrible their tracking is. I'm sure many others have actively complained to them, and told them what they could do to make it better. But here we are, several devices in that offer exercise tracking, without anything really worth using. For now, what I use does the trick, but I really want something similar to what AW has. I will very likely be ditching Samsung for AW or Garmin next spring.
I tried the Garmin Vivoactive 3 and it was great for the most part, but GPS wasn't as fast as the Gear to catch reception, and display of course isn't as good. But, it does everything accurately for the most part(I think GPS could be a tad more accurate vs showing me crossing the street multiple times when I didn't). As for Android Wear the only watch that comes close to the Gear Sport would be the Nixon Mission which is designed for surfing, skiing, and other similar activities, but it lacks HR. The New Balance RunIQ is 5atmos rated, and has HR, but reviews said battery life meh on it, and accuracy could be better. Polar has a really good watch in the M600, but downside is size(looks are also a con for some) and it's only IPX8 rated. So, Gear Sport and Apple Watch kind of stand alone in having HR, and the ability to take it swimming in the ocean in terms of smart watches that do activity tracker, unless I am missing a model.
I tried a Huawei watch 2, and at least for strength training, it was awesome. I didn't try any of the cardio options, or really anything else though, so I cannot comment on that. For strength training though, it was amazing. Fit workout is what I used.
So, once you started it, it would guess what exercise you were doing (with amazing accuracy), and count the reps. So, if I was doing squats, or curls, or presses, whatever, it would figure out what I was doing, with a rep count, then once I hit the completed button, it would start a rest timer. It worked great with supersets too. If it didn't know what exercise you were doing, you could add it if it just wasn't there, or fix what it chose and the next time it would typically get it right. It was seriously perfect for me.
It's a huge blow for Samsung when you consider how lacking health is after trying something else. I ended up returning the Huawei because the screen was too small, and the battery life was terrible (didn't even get me through the day), and I then got a gear s3. I love my s3, it's just secksay, and the UI is way better than AW, but I need good workout tracking. With AW, I didn't have to keep my workout journal (Google sheets), it recorded everything and was available when I needed it. It doesn't seem like Sammy will ever get it right, so, I think I'm out soon. To each their own though.
What's the waterproof rating on the Watch 2? Will other Android watches be just as good for strength? If so, I may just forgo HR and go with the NIxon Mission. I really just need a watch I don't have to worry about when hiking and then decide to go into a body of water, why I really like breadcrumbing features that 3rd party apps in Android now offer and both Garmin and Suunto offer, but that display on the Gear Sport is very good, as is n navigating the OS.
bigsnack said:
What's the waterproof rating on the Watch 2? Will other Android watches be just as good for strength? If so, I may just forgo HR and go with the NIxon Mission. I really just need a watch I don't have to worry about when hiking and then decide to go into a body of water, why I really like breadcrumbing features that 3rd party apps in Android now offer and both Garmin and Suunto offer, but that display on the Gear Sport is very good, as is n navigating the OS.
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IP68, same as the gear s3. Many AW watches, like the watch 2 have HR. The watch 2 did a constant heart rate like the sport does, and it uses it to calculate calories while working out with Fit workout. Which should be on every AW watch btw. It's Google's Fit app for workouts.
Do most Android watches do strength or is that specific to certian watches?
bigsnack said:
Do most Android watches do strength or is that specific to certian watches?
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Google Fit Workout *should* be on all AW watches, BUT, we all know how OEM's like to change Android how they see fit. Also, some smartwatches are just smartwatches, no fitness stuff. The big name ones all should though. Huawei, LG, etc. do. Go to a Best Buy and play with some. BB should have the ones you would want.
I did, and BB told me the only fitness watch with sport is the LG Sport, and the New Balance RunIQ, which got poor reviews(most of them pre-2.0, but stuff like small battery and inaccurate sensors can't really change much with software update). When I asked about the Nixon Mission they weren't sure about it other than being marketed as a surf and snow watch.
---------- Post added at 04:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:52 PM ----------
Has anyone noticed apps like under armour are more reliant on the phone? Like I remember with the S3 I was testing out the apps were more independent, or do I have it wrong?
Anyone having total daily calorie burn issues? I have yet to crack much over 2000 calories burned in a day despite moderate daily activity.
Also, I noticed when using constant HR tracking my HR would sometimes spike to the 90-100 range and stick there despite being in a resting state. I also get credit for moderate activity minutes which skews my overall tracking. I put on my Polar A370 last time the spike happened and HR was low 60s. HR tracking is about the only thing the Polar did excellent. Once I turn off continuous tracking and back on it will start tracking normal again until it happens again.
I really love the watch but the fitness tracking issues may a deal breaker. Problem is I don't want to go back to my A370!
I bought the Huawai Watch 2 (Android Wear) and had a terrible time trying to integrate the applications. All I wanted was ONE application that contained my nutrition, fitness (exercise routines), and steps/stairs. After two days of trying, no luck... now too frustrated and returning the watch.
bigsnack said:
Side note, I remember when testing out the S3 there was a GPS based Speedometer app in the store, but I can't seem to find it anymore, which either means it doesn't work with the Sport and/or Tizen 3.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speedometer is available now on apps store.
I'm using Gear S3 Classic for 1 month. I regret. There is no apps or no update or good watchfaces for this smartwatch.
1) When will Tizen 3 arrive?
2) Is there any developer who is currently porting Android Wear 2 at the moment?
3) What applications do you use?
3) What watchfaces do you use?
4) Are you satisfied with this watch?
1) When will Tizen 3 arrive?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Later...
Maybe as Xmas "gift" in late December or in 2018.
Tizen 3 is not the Holy Grail... see SM-R600 User feedback...
2) Is there any developer who is currently porting Android Wear 2 at the moment?
Click to expand...
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NObody
Best Regards
for watch face you can use watchmaker and s3 companion of it
Hmm.. you REALLY need to search more. Watch Faces alone.. wow TONS!
When Tizen 2 (or whatever shipped with the S3) arrived, I got the update on my S2 sport last December. Mid to late, can't remember for sure. I'm guessing 3 will come about the same time. And, as another said, don't expect it to give you everything you want and change your mind. The lack of new features/s-health upgrades is pretty astounding.
I only use s-health and timer. As for apps, I have weather, schedule, workout, steps, heart rate, and barometer/altimeter widgets set. There aren't any apps worth anything to me. The exercise apps are bad and pretty much non-existent, and nothing else stands out to me.
The watch itself is pretty secksay. I love the look as well as the UI. I briefly went to android wear, and I really missed the Samsung UI. But, that's where it ends. I need the health app to do WAY more. And Sammy doesn't seem to give a s##t about what the consumers want. As long as people are buying them, who cares? So, personally, after an android wear watch comes out that catches my eye, I'm out. But, my opinion doesn't mean you or whomever else won't love it.
My $0.02
Zeblade said:
Hmm.. you REALLY need to search more. Watch Faces alone.. wow TONS!
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LOL, I agree, there are tons but my observation, Gear Store does a poorer job of properly showcasing its catalog than the Watchmaster app, so, I installed the watchmaster app and will browse there catalog, find something I like, then search for it in the Gear shop and Buy it from the Gear shop
Designer Kang got some good ones!
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tosunkaya said:
I'm using Gear S3 Classic for 1 month. I regret. There is no apps or no update or good watchfaces for this smartwatch.
1) When will Tizen 3 arrive?
2) Is there any developer who is currently porting Android Wear 2 at the moment?
3) What applications do you use?
3) What watchfaces do you use?
4) Are you satisfied with this watch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just bought it too and am in Australia. I had mixed feelings before making the purchase. Wanted;
-Samsung Gear Pay
-A watch that received regular security updates
-Looked nice
-Software
What I got was;
Cons:
-Samsung Gear Pay intermittently works..., so much so, that I have to still have to carry a wallet on me... and because of that, Samsung Pay is utter rubbish! (or at least here in Australia it is.)
-A watch that never receives regular security updates (bizarre to me because its a watch thats facilitates banking transactions or should)
Pros:
-Looks nicer than I had originally expected especially with the ceramic steel band I added
-Samsung Health; which surprisingly, is pretty awesome! I like to jog and spin class, so, this watch is really a lot of fun for people who want to be active.
So yes, despite not having Samsung Pay and the rubbish support, it's a nice looking watch and Samsung Health is actually a lot of fun, so, I keep it.
Plus, it has the wheel and Android Wear does not.
tosunkaya said:
I'm using Gear S3 Classic for 1 month. I regret. There is no apps or no update or good watchfaces for this smartwatch.
1) When will Tizen 3 arrive?
2) Is there any developer who is currently porting Android Wear 2 at the moment?
3) What applications do you use?
3) What watchfaces do you use?
4) Are you satisfied with this watch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) No one knows, last announcement was a month ago in October, it was a vague and no solid date was mentioned. Hopefully soon!
2) The kernal was leaked and it's possible now to root and use Android Wear. To my knowledge the dial hasn't been made to work with it, and rooting permanently disables Samsung Pay.
3) Find my phone is the single most useful part of the watch, that and the warning when it disconnects from your phone. No more losing the damn thing! It's defaultly installed.
My first click to the right takes me to my music controller. It works with virtually any music or video playing app and I use it when driving and listening to Amazon Music. Allows me to next songs from my wrist and I don't have to take my eyes off the road. Also useful with Bluetooth headphones while walking or jogging. You can see the song dial up and down sound, next, back and pause. Weather channel app is my third screen, calandar and step app come next. I use the timer all the time via voice, two taps lower button "set timer for 25 minutes" done.
Samsung pay is sweet, press and hold the top button, dial to your credit card, and swipe. Works with legacy credit card readers which is basically magic to me.
My Nest thermostat works with it. Worth the 2$ app fee, I can control my thermostat from my wrist... Over the internet.
My watch face, all in one carbon has weather, heart rate, date and time neatly displayed and easily read (also a paid app of $2).
Find My Car is great for tagging your car on GPS in a parking lot.
Taking calls on my wrist makes me feel like **** Tracy.
4) Am I satisfied with this watch? Emphatically yes, it makes my life more convenient in that I can use it for a number of things without touching my phone. Music controls and find my phone alone would make it worthwhile. Plus it's taken some good dings on my wrist and although the black paint is a bit scuffed, the watch face is immaculate. I've also taken it kayaking and it's been submerged pretty good so it's been solid in water.
However here's my complaints about the watch, it is not without some flaws.
1) when I got this thing the s-voice was totally unusable. It still is pretty awful. "Sure man" being translated as Sherman has become a running joke among my friends. I've had limited success in launching apps in a quiet environment, with any background noise forget about it. Even since the major update it's still awful compared to Android voice. While we're on the subject... Bixby also blows.
2) The nest app lags, occasionally my weather will stop updating to my main watch face for no reason, and other annoying bugs pop up now and again.
3) There is a shortage of apps. A new weather app would be so awesome. I personally am not a fan of the weather channel app and it's inability to display hourly information, instead choosing to do 4 hour chunks.
4) it can be super hard to get dirt out if the bezel.
5) It does not integrate with any other message app other than Facebook and Samsung messenger. This really bugs me because I love the Google messenger app. If you have another model phone, return it, it doesn't play nice with others.
In short. It does a lot very well, but there's room for improvement. I still think this is the best watch you can get, and I'm hopeful for some updates and new apps. But as it is after 6 months of daily use, I can say it will be on my wrist for years... It's far too useful.
Hope this helps.