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Why does the Nexus 5 does not have an infrared blaster?

First of all:
I know - the Nexus 5 is meant to be inexpensive and for development.
But that's the point. Controlling your TV or other IR-controlled devices is an awesome feature. (Come on, who does not have a TV or similar at home?)
I even would say that IR is more important than the NFC feature but that's different in everyone's opinion.
Why do you guys think Google did not take the step. REALLY COST reasons? Or because they think, that it is not needed by enough people - which IMHO is nonsense since there are more people with TVs than people with NFC-tags or people using them.
I'm really interested in your guys' opinions!

IR blasters come and go out of fashion...
my 2006 Windows Mobile devices had IR blasters
then android/iphone came in, IR blasters went out of fashion till roughly 2013?
I'm fine with them cutting cost by excluding IR blaster
NFC = for remote payment, if google think that's more important(google wallet) for their long term strategy

'Cause it's naff?...

paperWastage said:
IR blasters come and go out of fashion...
my 2006 Windows Mobile devices had IR blasters
then android/iphone came in, IR blasters went out of fashion till roughly 2013?
I'm fine with them cutting cost by excluding IR blaster
NFC = for remote payment, if google think that's more important(google wallet) for their long term strategy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree completely, NFC for mobile payment is much more important for Google. Besides, if you have a Chromecast you won't miss IR blasters

When I had my SG4, I used the IR feature once.
It really was easier to just use a remote.

cbatiste1993 said:
I agree completely, NFC for mobile payment is much more important for Google. Besides, if you have a Chromecast you won't miss IR blasters
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Payment is in many countries - like Austria, where I live - simply not possible...very unfortunate though.
Still I believe that infrared has its point. TVs are IR-controlled nearly since their invention.^^ How are the odds, that remote controls come out of fashion the next 10 years?

I use Xbox One app for coming my TV.

Y'know, I thought that the IR blaster on my GS4 was awesome until I realized that I never, ever used it.
That said, there have been 1 or 2 times that my kids have done something with the remote and I wished my N5 had one. Oh well - not a dealbreaker by any means.

Google probably has to give up some things in order for LG to agree to build the phone. For example, LG G2 has an IR blaster. LG doesn't want the Nexus 5 to "be better" than their own flagship, the G2.
That's one interpretation of it. Whether it makes sense for just the IR blaster here, I don't know. But the OEM that Google cooperates with to build their yearly Nexus does not want the Nexus to be better than their own flagship, I am very sure of that.

Why I'm tired of the Gear 2 and why you should be too.

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
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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

Upgraded from Gear 2 Neo and I don't Get It

I recently bought the Gear S2 after using my Gear 2 Neo daily for almost a year.
I used my Neo for:
- Occasionally taking calls via Bluetooth when my hands were otherwise occupied (e.g. carrying stuff).
- Occasionally controlling the TV via IR blaster
- Tracking my sleep habits, how much I was getting and how much tossing/turning I did that night
- Timekeeping
- Notifications
For reasons I can't really fathom, the Gear S2 only does the latter 2. I can't really understand why Samsung would remove those features from their flagship smartwatch line. What's more, I REALLY can't understand why this watch is getting ABSOLUTELY RAVE reviews across the board. It's almost like people didn't know the Gear 2 Neo even existed.
I guess it has something to do with the fact that sleep tracking, IR device control, and accepting phone calls via bluetooth are things MOST watches are incapable of for various reasons, so it's not much of a drawback from a reviewer's standpoint when those features are removed. As someone coming from the Neo to the S2, I have a hard time getting past the fact that I have an older, cheaper device that is far more capable sitting in a drawer unused. :/
Don't get me wrong, though. What the S2 can do it does do very well. The screen is gorgeous. The rotating bezel is brilliant. This version of Tizen is lightning fast and very intuitive. The "always on" feature is great, and notifications are handled much better. But I can't really escape the feeling that, while the Neo was a smartwatch, the S2 is just a $300 watch that can send text messages and receive email.
Am I missing something here?
Oh, and for some reason I can't get mine to vibrate when text messages are received. Calls only.

I sold my lovely Gear 2 in readiness for the S2 thinking it would finally get better app support and a better UI on top of the camera and ability to make and receive calls.
What a disappointment, apps are worse or as bad as the prior 3 watches, no camera or calling !!!

If you get a 3g model then it will have a speaker...therefore allowing for calls over bluetooth even if you don't have a sim card for the watch. On the sport models there is no speaker though. For the other functions like ir blaster, I guess they figured people don't use it as much and they had to cut something out to include new things like a different form factor, NFC, etc. Not defending, just saying they evolved to something else. Personally, I love my original gear s which basically has everything but the new round size of the S2.

Yeah it's pretty crazy our Gear 2's are the still the most capable smartwatches on the market.

Tends to happen when you strap a phone on your wrist instead of a watch.

JazzMac251 said:
...I have a hard time getting past the fact that I have an older, cheaper device that is far more capable sitting in a drawer unused. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't understand. You say you have a more capable watch sitting in the drawer unused, yet you recently bought a new S2 that is less capable and you are using it. Why not return the S2, use your Neo and save $300 bucks. Just because the S2 is out now, doesn't mean that your Neo can't be used again.
I had a Moto 360 V1 and Gear Fit, I returned both of them after a while because I didn't like them for one reason or another. No point in keeping unused depreciating assets like phones and wearables IMO, it's not like a classic Bugatti or classic Rolex that you can pass on or will gain value.
As far as the S2 is concerned, I think it will outsell all other Gear watches combined easily. The general public just doesn't want the whole entire kitchen sink in their watches. This is evident by previously poor Gear sales. Sure, they will lose some previous Gear customers, but they are gaining many more. That's the way business works unfortunately, maximum unit sales for maximum profits. I will say though that the BT version of the S2 really needs a speaker and Google voice recognition.

supersoulfly said:
Tends to happen when you strap a phone on your wrist instead of a watch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha, you cannot stop the inevitable. That point that most of the posters in this thread are making, is that Samsung DROPPED a lot of features and that didn't go over well with a segment of Samsung smartwatch users. I was in the thread where they were saying the S2 was selling out in Korea.. Wow, I figured that was just plain sales talk or there must be users that don't care about the PAST features that were on past Galaxy Gear Watches. Gear 2 was nice, but I even went for the Gear S, I am fully independent of my Note 4 if I choose to be.. They have put the S2 out there without a speaker, and they downsized it..
People are not talking against the S2 just to be talking, that's for sure..
Back to your comment, why don't Samsung just make a PLAIN WATCH, and leave all Tizen, email, and small tech stuff that you can do on the S2 alone?

Get the S2 3g model if you want an independent experience. (why do people keep acting like this model doesn't exist and doesn't address most of the complaints prior S users have?)
As far as making a plain watch? I might consider wearing that before the monstrosities Samsung has put out before. Gear 2 and Gear S, lots of cool tech, but the only place I'd be seen wearing one is if I went to a Star Trek convention.

This thread reminds me of a book I read years back: "Crossing the Chasm." It's about the challenge technology companies have selling to different kinds of customers: technology enthusiastic early adopters vs. the pragmatic broader market. According to the author, Geoffrey Moore, the former are an important way to launch an product in a new space, but represent a very small market. The latter are a much larger market but are not going to buy a product until it reaches a level of maturity, refinement, and clarity of purpose.
I usually consider myself an early adopter, but I gotta say, I really like the S2, but I had no interest whatsoever in the Gear 2 or Gear S. But for those who like that sort of product, hopefully there will continue to be options in future.

I get that there's a lot of "can't please everyone" talk going on here, but here's why the removal of these features is kind of nuts to me:
The single driving complaint the public has with this type of wearable technology is that it's pointless. The iPad and the iPhone were brilliant because they were able to fill a niche solving problems in people's lives that they didn't know existed. People argue that the physical form-factor limitations inherent with smartwatches makes them redundant at best and extravagantly wasteful at worst. The problem is that this characterization is largely correct.
For smartwatches to break out of that mold, I think the key is for them to be as Swiss-army-knife as possible. Can't find the remote, got it. Can't answer call because its impractical (hands full, can't find phone, doing chores, etc), got it. Would like to evaluate sleep habits, got it. Need to make NFC payment, got it. Want to track your heart rate, got it. The second you start dumping features is the second you move the device even more into the realm of "$300+ dollar device to check your email". The rotating bezel is super cool, but the primary concern people have with smartwatches is that they're pointless, not that they need to be easy to use.
The point I was trying to make is that I was one of the few people for whom Samsung successfully created a product that actually DID fill a unique little niche in my life. As they're trying to expand their product base, it seems the last thing they would want to do is create a flagship device that has absolutely 0 appeal to someone that is already super into smartwatches anyway.
This is actually the first time I've ever upgraded a piece of technology to find it woefully inadequate to what I already had. As a technophile, that's a really strange concept to me. The technology in device is great - I love the hardware, the software, and the implementation. Unfortunately, this device really is a $350 way to read text messages on your wrist and that's all it is, which is why I'll be returning it ASAP.
Also, I have to say, it kinda looks feminine. I much prefer the squared off look of the Gear 2. That's just personal preference, though.

JazzMac251 said:
I get that there's a lot of "can't please everyone" talk going on here, but here's why the removal of these features is kind of nuts to me:
The single driving complaint the public has with this type of wearable technology is that it's pointless. The iPad and the iPhone were brilliant because they were able to fill a niche solving problems in people's lives that they didn't know existed. People argue that the physical form-factor limitations inherent with smartwatches makes them redundant at best and extravagantly wasteful at worst. The problem is that this characterization is largely correct.
For smartwatches to break out of that mold, I think the key is for them to be as Swiss-army-knife as possible. Can't find the remote, got it. Can't answer call because its impractical (hands full, can't find phone, doing chores, etc), got it. Would like to evaluate sleep habits, got it. Need to make NFC payment, got it. Want to track your heart rate, got it. The second you start dumping features is the second you move the device even more into the realm of "$300+ dollar device to check your email". The rotating bezel is super cool, but the primary concern people have with smartwatches is that they're pointless, not that they need to be easy to use.
The point I was trying to make is that I was one of the few people for whom Samsung successfully created a product that actually DID fill a unique little niche in my life. As they're trying to expand their product base, it seems the last thing they would want to do is create a flagship device that has absolutely 0 appeal to someone that is already super into smartwatches anyway.
This is actually the first time I've ever upgraded a piece of technology to find it woefully inadequate to what I already had. As a technophile, that's a really strange concept to me. The technology in device is great - I love the hardware, the software, and the implementation. Unfortunately, this device really is a $350 way to read text messages on your wrist and that's all it is, which is why I'll be returning it ASAP.
Also, I have to say, it kinda looks feminine. I much prefer the squared off look of the Gear 2. That's just personal preference, though.
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Agree with everything you wrote except for the part where you said you think the watch looks kinda feminine. ?
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supersoulfly said:
Get the S2 3g model if you want an independent experience. (why do people keep acting like this model doesn't exist and doesn't address most of the complaints prior S users have?)
As far as making a plain watch? I might consider wearing that before the monstrosities Samsung has put out before. Gear 2 and Gear S, lots of cool tech, but the only place I'd be seen wearing one is if I went to a Star Trek convention.
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, Gotta give the Star Wars Crack was a good one.
However, if the S2 was so much a winner, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Instead we all would be breaking or necks to get one. As you can see that is not the case. A lot of users that WOULD be breaking their necks to get on are instead turned off by the new design and features.
You can't ignore that, just read some of the comments.
Since I am a Samsung Fanboy, I will wait for the S3 and Note and see what happens!
I am a Star Wars fan, now I'm addicted to Guardians Of The Galaxy.

I'll gladly sale my gear 2 neo to anyone reading this.
IR blaster went away on phones and watch, just didn't make the cut for usability. I played with ir for the first day to show off then never used it again myself.
Camera in a watch was another one. Apple watch will sale a **** ton without these features for more money. It's not needed by enough people.
Speaker, u just bought the wrong model, but they should have put it in all models. I agree on that part.
Other problems are app issues and tizen is always gonna behind google wear, they are trying to swim upstream and I'm afraid they will never catchup in shear amount of apps.

The 3G model is not coming to all markets the UK being one.
Samsung is just a Apple sheep soon as the Apple watch fan boys like the whole making and taking calls Samsung will do the mother of U turn and the S3 gear will be out this time next year if not earlier.
My Gear 2 was great battery and did the notification basics and handy calling features but the lack of apps was a killer and here we are again the same crap this time 1000 apps at launch.

I think the Neo was a massively underrated device and I'll be keeping mine.
That said, the additional functionality versus the S2 were largely novelty items for me... it's core functions of time, notifications and step tracking were all I used on a daily basis. I can understand the frustration if you used these regularly.
The form factor (s2 is a beautiful watch in its own right) and the bezel navigation are worth the price of admission IMO.

I agree with JazzMac about the S2. I have had the original "Galaxy Gear", Gear 2, Gear S, and then picked up a Gear S2. After 2 days I returned it. Loved the round form factor and rotating bezel, but realized I wanted at least the receive & talk capability on the watch. I would wait for the 3G version. I have had the 3G version for about 3 weeks now and absolutely love it. Does almost everything I want, has great battery life, and I enjoy the freedom of leaving my phone for runs and other quick trips and still being connected.

S7 edge has no IR blaster!!!! What

I'm probably the last person to learn this. Very disappointed. Wish Samsung would have kept that. Guess I will have to pass on this phone. It is a shame since I was convinced it was the perfect upgrade for me until now.

Unfortunately you were. It was divulged a long time ago
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Found I never used it, I use the sony app that connects to wifi and then controls my sony bravia . . .its bit of a shame but I'd take losing that for a bigger battery and sd slot

To each their own but it's funny imo how people could pass up on a phone cause they won't be able to turn on/off their TV with their phones. Guess it's very tiring and troublesome picking up the TV controller to do that.

daLareid said:
To each their own but it's funny imo how people could pass up on a phone cause they won't be able to turn on/off their TV with their phones. Guess it's very tiring and troublesome picking up the TV controller to do that.
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My main problem with the TV controller is the children routinely lose it, so instead of spending time looking under the furniture and in other rooms I could always just use my phone. Not denying laziness,just not entirely the case in this instance!

markwebb said:
Unfortunately you were. It was divulged a long time ago
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Oh well better late than after I bought the wretched thing!

Never used it, waste of space.

PracticallyGeek said:
Found I never used it, I use the sony app that connects to wifi and then controls my sony bravia . . .its bit of a shame but I'd take losing that for a bigger battery and sd slot
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I know! I was so happy to hear of the SD slot and water resistance coming back. It just makes me wonder why they add a couple good features back in at the expense of another. Geez you can't always get what you want I guess.

DesignGrits said:
Never used it, waste of space.
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I envy you mate, now I wish I had not grown so fond of it. Well maybe the s8 edge will have it.

Just get a Logitech harmony hub.
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spankmatic22 said:
My main problem with the TV controller is the children routinely lose it, so instead of spending time looking under the furniture and in other rooms I could always just use my phone. Not denying laziness,just not entirely the case in this instance!
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Exactly! That is the reason the IR blaster is so useful. I suspect many of the people who don't find it useful, don't have young children. Anyway a Logitech Harmony Hub is a good replacement for the IR blaster.

I have young children... There are more ways to fix it other than an ir blaster... Grounding them from the TV if they lose the remote worked for me, very quickly too.
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I never could get used to using a flat slate of glass to control the TV, I can use a remote eyes free, can't do that with my phone.
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smh

I was using my LG G2's IR blaster about once or twice a month, when I was too lazy to pick up the remote from 2-3 meters away from my home desk. The best use for it was at the gym when I could switch the TVs to my preferred news channel during the pre-elections
No phone is without compromises but it seems the S7 Edge has the fewest. I'll gladly switch my G2 for it

there are little small 3.5mm headphone jack like devices that add the ir hardware to your phone, some work well some don't, just search on ebay and aliexpress, Kickstarter etc, but yeah i agree with others that the core issue is not the lack of ir but the lack of proper remote controller usage from the kids

Not a deal breaker for me, gonna happily give it up going from my Note 3 to the S7E, nice upgrade for me, although my Note 3 is still tried and true, snappy and running fine.
However, FYI, not just for TVs, IR was also useful with the Beep'nGo app to store my grocery loyalty cards where many cashier scanners don't work with bar codes, but do work with the IR blaster. Countless cashiers were always amazed when they grabbed my phone to hand enter the loyalty number and I told them "I have a special phone, just scan it" and it worked.

spankmatic22 said:
My main problem with the TV controller is the children routinely lose it, so instead of spending time looking under the furniture and in other rooms I could always just use my phone. Not denying laziness,just not entirely the case in this instance!
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I understand, that's why I said to each their own since we all have different approaches and from what you're saying I do understand how bothersome that can be, I genuinely hate sitting in my bed under the sheets and losing the remote. But I believe passing on a phone like S7E because of a missing IR blaster isn't a great of a move, mostly because chances of flagship phones being released with an IR blaster are less likely to happen in the future so you would have to stick with either an old phone or a medium performance phone that still happens to be released with an IR blaster, but who knows maybe Samsung will bring it back again.

daLareid said:
I understand, that's why I said to each their own since we all have different approaches and from what you're saying I do understand how bothersome that can be, I genuinely hate sitting in my bed under the sheets and losing the remote. But I believe passing on a phone like S7E because of a missing IR blaster isn't a great of a move, mostly because chances of flagship phones being released with an IR blaster are less likely to happen in the future so you would have to stick with either an old phone or a medium performance phone that still happens to be released with an IR blaster, but who knows maybe Samsung will bring it back again.
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Thanks. I see your point. I still want an S7 edge, just was a little disappointed. Sure looks like a great phone.

DesignGrits said:
Never used it, waste of space.
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while it was a waste of space in your opinion there are several, like me who utilized it to the fullest. I still ordered the s7 edge but will have to transition to my note 10.1 2014 tablet to use now for ir blaster. I purchased the best remote app out there and have all kinds of macros set up for convenience. Below are just three that I have set up.
TV ON - turn on tv, dish hopper, audio amp.
TV Off - turn off tv, dish hopper, audio amp.
Kid- turn on tv, dish hopper, audio amp and change to disney.
I also have six different entertainment systems set up on this so I never have to look for a remote when I go into a different room.
Example. Kid passes out watching Frozen because that is about the only way I can get her to sleep. Instead of waking her while looking for remote I peek my phone in and turn off her tv and blu ray player.. Problem Solved..
They do serve a purpose and I was very upset when they took it off the s6+ and didn't bring it back... Especially when they are so cheap of an addon.

IR - Blaster in Samsung S8

Hi everyone i want to ask if there is a possibility of adding IR feature to Samsung S8 coming in 2017.
IR Blaster is very useful feature of android, i normally use this with my Canon 6D Dslr and secondary for TVs in hotels bars or conference rooms where staff hide the remote controls.
if it is not possible i will have to change to LG
i have sent an email to Samsung headoffice in Korea and also i wrote to president of South Korea Park Geun-hye. I requested her to have a look at Samsung's policy of adding/removing features from Samsung. I also requested her to force Samsung in adding Dual-sim to its flag ship phones, Samsung already have this feature in low end phones just need an extra bay in flag ship phones.
I just hope we will get back IR-blaster in upcoming Galaxy S8.

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One person will not influence whether Samsung adds back the IR blaster..
Good luck, but I highly doubt they'll re-add the feature. They probably determined not enough people were using it to make it worthwhile
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Devhux said:
One person will not influence whether Samsung adds back the IR blaster..
Good luck, but I highly doubt they'll re-add the feature. They probably determined not enough people were using it to make it worthwhile
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I agree it's a useful feature to have. Certainly more so than a heart rate Monitor!
I think manufacturers will increasingly leave it out, unfortunately in order to spec the latest and greatest ueber processors which no-one fully utilises anyhow.

I owned the s6 and s6 edge ....probably only used the feature once....I gave the s6 edge to my wife and she's never used it the feature (don't even think she knows it's there. I own the s7 now and really never miss the IR blaster feature...again this is just my input!
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sheaky said:
Hi everyone i want to ask if there is a possibility of adding IR feature to Samsung S8 coming in 2017.
IR Blaster is very useful feature of android, i normally use this with my Canon 6D Dslr and secondary for TVs in hotels bars or conference rooms where staff hide the remote controls.
if it is not possible i will have to change to LG
i have sent an email to Samsung headoffice in Korea and also i wrote to president of South Korea Park Geun-hye. I requested her to have a look at Samsung's policy of adding/removing features from Samsung. I also requested her to force Samsung in adding Dual-sim to its flag ship phones, Samsung already have this feature in low end phones just need an extra bay in flag ship phones.
I just hope we will get back IR-blaster in upcoming Galaxy S8.
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Sammy won't release it for sure I think
Contacting them is of no use at all. They will not even bother
I own s5 and IR blaster works beautifully
It would be really nice if Sammy releases IR blaster in S8. If they release it I would go for it
If not I will stick to s5

It was a feature
I would love to see the S8 made of materials meant to withstand a drop or 2, also the IR blaster was a nice feature. Why they can't make the phone as it was before just faster and smarter?
The features we all liked, removable battery, SD Card, IR blaster and waterproof was all achieved on the S5. "Premium feel" is for hipsters since 99% of the people puts a cover on their smartphones... so where is the premium feel? Making the S6 back of glass and repeat it on the S7 was the stupidest thing they did. They actually downgraded to the Iphone4 quality which everyone knew was a flawed design. The only people that criticized the impact plastic that the Sammy phones where made of where the ones that did not have one, I loved the fact that I have to only worry about the phone falling on its screen.
They learned about not taking out the SD card, I hope they learn about the rest after losing a lot of clients to LG, which still makes smartphones the smart way. Even do I love Samsung I feel very aggravated with their changes (not all of them, but most of them).

I want the IR blaster back!
On my S5 i ditched every remote i had to use my all-in-one phone remote Then when i got my S7 edge i installed my IR app, copied the remotes config over and *#[email protected], no IR blaster! I now have six remotes around my room and they always disappear. My phone never went missing like they do.
Im kinda hoping they bring IR back since they are meant be ditching the headphone port. Although my car has bluetooth for phone calls but not for music streaming so how how do i plug in my aux lead to my phone after the port goes? :/ Headphone ports are still needed. I dont want to pay 100 quid to replace something i already have! We arent Apple!!
*crosses fingers for IR and headphone to exist in S8

well offtopic but eventually i will sell my s7 some day... but i cant say the same for my note4

I want it back again too. and is not impossible, since Samsung give us back removable storage and water proofing.

lekou said:
well offtopic but eventually i will sell my s7 some day... but i cant say the same for my note4
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I wanted keep my S5 as an all in one remote but i accidently toasted it when i set it up for BOINC. My IR went with it
I have recently set up an RPi for home automation (LEDs around my room and cooling fans for my PS). This has a web frontend so i might make a web remote and add an IR blaster to my RPi instead!

I wanted an S6 until I found out about the non-removable battery and the lack of an mSD slot. Then I wanted an S7 until I found out about the lack of the IR blaster. I'm not sure why they think making their phones shinier makes them better.
My S5 is a great phone. I use the IR blaster all the time with AnyMote, and it's not a feature I'm willing to give up. I'd definitely give up Samsung first. MicroSD slots are mandatory. IR Blasters, for me, also mandatory.

Well, technically S8 have a lot of IR stuff...proximity sensor, iris scanner, hertbeat sensor, face scanner(and almost all of them are in the front, so theoretically this can increase the frequency a lot if done right)...but i havent seen anyone make use of them to make an ir blaster unfortunately...

darkar25 said:
Well, technically S8 have a lot of IR stuff...proximity sensor, iris scanner, hertbeat sensor, face scanner(and almost all of them are in the front, so theoretically this can increase the frequency a lot if done right)...but i havent seen anyone make use of them to make an ir blaster unfortunately...
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To control them in any way that you suggest would require the drivers for them to be rewritten. They were never designed to be used in the way you want so the existing drivers won't provide the functionality for the software to control them in that way. They will be proprietary devices too so the task of reverse engineering it would take considerable time. Thats why no-one has bothered because there's too much effort and too little reward.