Related
As the title states, do you guys think it is wise to develop an application for the Nexus Player if Google isn't going to allow apps other than games and entertainment (no truth behind the statement, just looking at the play store as it stands)? I have a couple of apps that I have been currently working on and I believe they would work well with the player in the home. Just a thought, have any insightful ideas of what you may want the Player to do?
N!TROO said:
As the title states, do you guys think it is wise to develop an application for the Nexus Player if Google isn't going to allow apps other than games and entertainment (no truth behind the statement, just looking at the play store as it stands)? I have a couple of apps that I have been currently working on and I believe they would work well with the player in the home. Just a thought, have any insightful ideas of what you may want the Player to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great thing about android compared to most other systems, you can basically do what you want. I definitely see a lot of useful non-entertainment apps on a system such as this. The Xbox-Playstation interfaces give some good ideas about integrating social media into the living-room, but well beyond that as well. Cooking apps, Do-it-yourself apps, Kahn acadamy, World Science U, etc, etc. The system is ripe for growth in the app department.
Elrondolio said:
Great thing about android compared to most other systems, you can basically do what you want. I definitely see a lot of useful non-entertainment apps on a system such as this. The Xbox-Playstation interfaces give some good ideas about integrating social media into the living-room, but well beyond that as well. Cooking apps, Do-it-yourself apps, Kahn acadamy, World Science U, etc, etc. The system is ripe for growth in the app department.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, I guess only time will tell when the "Play Store with Nexus Player" updates to more than limited selections that we currently at the moment.
N!TROO said:
I agree, I guess only time will tell when the "Play Store with Nexus Player" updates to more than limited selections that we currently at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd assume they'll expand the leanback interface as time moves on. But, again, a great strength of android on the tv is you don't have to stick to what Google gives you. I have no doubt other launchers will be adapted or created in short order, from Nova, etc. It'll be interesting to see how Google handles the visibility of alternative launchers considering how tight they've integrated search in the existing leanback and, I assume, want to preserve that built-in advantage. Unlike other systems like the Roku, AppleTV or even FireTV, however, being based on android means the end user will always have other relatively easily installed choices.
Elrondolio said:
I'd assume they'll expand the leanback interface as time moves on. But, again, a great strength of android on the tv is you don't have to stick to what Google gives you. I have no doubt other launchers will be adapted or created in short order, from Nova, etc. It'll be interesting to see how Google handles the visibility of alternative launchers considering how tight they've integrated search in the existing leanback and, I assume, want to preserve that built-in advantage. Unlike other systems like the Roku, AppleTV or even FireTV, however, being based on android means the end user will always have other relatively easily installed choices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I figure they are going to keep this environment very closed and tight knit for some time. I read somewhere, where they are individually reviewing each app as it has to meet a certain criteria. This is good for a couple of reasons, I hated how Google TV apps work so poorly or never worked at all. Also, this will allow the users to add an app to their "custom" environment like a nova launcher. Only time will tell. Enjoyed this convo, look forward to hanging out with this community.
hulu plus app
Can anybody grab hulu plus app apk file and send link over here, so that non US users can install that.
Thanks
bobbyd-nexus said:
Can anybody grab hulu plus app apk file and send link over here, so that non US users can install that.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can find the latest apk's for most of the more well known publishers from apkmirror.com. For Hulu in particular:
http://www.apkmirror.com/apk/hulu/
There are other apk downloading services you can find through google for a wider variety of apks as well.
Good luck.
Bluetooth Keyboard and mouse (or wired over OTG) and google docs or some other cloudbased office. I don't see why not use it like a miniPC.
Sent from my Oneplus One with Tapatalk Pro.
reverenddak said:
Bluetooth Keyboard and mouse (or wired over OTG) and google docs or some other cloudbased office. I don't see why not use it like a miniPC.
Sent from my Oneplus One with Tapatalk Pro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, I feel like if its done right, the possibility is honestly there.
I think if you're using it primarily as an entertainment device, you might not want business apps or document apps on there; for example, I don't mind that anyone in the house can pick up the remote and watch Netflix or listen to my Google Play Music, but it's probably for the best there's not a Facebook or Gmail app on it.
However, if you intended to use it just as a mini PC, you'd want those.
I like my S2 classic much mostly for it`s design and battery life, but there are features that I miss much.
Lets write down wishlist for future updates. Maybe someone makes this come true!
I will update OP periodically
Sleep tracking
Camera remote shutter
Analog tachymeter app
Shazam app to recognize music
It sucks that the S2 lacks quite a few apps I hope in the future it gains more dev support especially with iphone compatibility if Samsung make the S2 work 100% with the iphone's that is. However most of those features you can get on the S2.
For sleep tracking there is GNight costs £1.99 and for the Camera there is Camera controller which is free. This is UK market though so might be different in other countries I don't know.
I would add Samsung Pay for the UK market.
Wishlist
What I need most of all is a modified Nike+ app that shows my heart rate constantly while I'm running in big numerals. It sounds so simple. I love the Nike+ app but it just doesn't have the ability to make this simple adjustment to the settings. Not everybody is interested mainly in how FAR they run/jog.
I am far more interested in what manner I run/jog.
I'd love to see improved GPS performance. Also, would be great if Samsung allowed apps to communicate with phone apps not via Bluetooth, so that the watch can fully work when connected to the phone remotely (kinda takes the point out of the 3g version if most apps only work if the phone is around.
.
like to have more kindes of Sports, like gym, Ski for the Trainings app.
regads
mikesaa309 said:
For sleep tracking there is GNight costs £1.99 and for the Camera there is Camera controller which is free. This is UK market though so might be different in other countries I don't know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can buy Gnight for $1.99, but I need sleep tracking app with full Shealth integration.
The only thing I want is android wear with the current ui. Because the UI is literally the only good thing about tizen on a smart watch.
I would love to see Wunderlist (ToDo List App) coming to the S2. It's the only thing that I really miss.
Gesendet von meinem SM-G900F mit Tapatalk
please?
allow wake up gesture to be set to last viewed instead of always defaulting to the watchface.
PIA when using an app, like music player for example, then after a timeout the wake up gesture will show the watchface instead of the music player.
mr neutron said:
please?
allow wake up gesture to be set to last viewed instead of always defaulting to the watchface.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this is in watch parameter. It is like this in Gear 1, Gear 2 and Gear S
mr neutron said:
please?
allow wake up gesture to be set to last viewed instead of always defaulting to the watchface.
PIA when using an app, like music player for example, then after a timeout the wake up gesture will show the watchface instead of the music player.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be nice to have the option indeed when needed.
Re. your example there are currently three workarounds; music widget next to WF, setting to double click, and dragging down from top of screen then clicking. Granted not as easy as raising your arm but not too bad.
I'd simply like to be able to reorder my WF's. How hard can that be!!?:silly:
dersie said:
I think this is in watch parameter. It is like this in Gear 1, Gear 2 and Gear S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope. it was available on Gear2 neo, but then i "upgraded" to Gear S2 and it it definitely missing.
---------- Post added at 06:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:06 AM ----------
Cryps said:
It would be nice to have the option indeed when needed.
Re. your example there are currently three workarounds; music widget next to WF, setting to double click, and dragging down from top of screen then clicking. Granted not as easy as raising your arm but not too bad.
I'd simply like to be able to reorder my WF's. How hard can that be!!?:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am using these workarounds, but last viewed wake up gesture is preferred.
mr neutron said:
i am using these workarounds, but last viewed wake up gesture is preferred.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed.
Perhaps the attached is worth looking at (hit the store today). Just a thought.
Schnuddelbuddel44 said:
like to have more kindes of Sports, like gym, Ski for the Trainings app.
regads
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Strength Training app just released in the U.S. Gear store by Samsung India. Also Skimble-linked Workout trainer app, Pear Gear app, and Rossignol's Ski Pursuit are available. I don't know if they're any good, but they do exist.
I would love to have tunein. Power amp extension. hotspot and better always on watch faces
1. Enable mic for calls - I often have the phone in my pocket with headphones on.. would be nice not to have to pull out the phone just to answer a call.
2. Guitar Tuner app - I'm working on writing my own, actually. Seems an ideal use case.
3. Improved SDK and documentation for writing apps - the current SDK is rather easy to "break" and hard to install and get working and although there's some decent documentation online it's fragmented and hard to find exactly what you need.
4. Google Now app or extension.
more blue tooth setting like naming each connection and being able to use mono audio like in android to listen to tunein radio when available if ever
Oobly said:
1. Enable mic for calls - I often have the phone in my pocket with headphones on.. would be nice not to have to pull out the phone just to answer a call.
2. Guitar Tuner app - I'm working on writing my own, actually. Seems an ideal use case.
3. Improved SDK and documentation for writing apps - the current SDK is rather easy to "break" and hard to install and get working and although there's some decent documentation online it's fragmented and hard to find exactly what you need.
4. Google Now app or extension.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2's more niche, but as a guitar teacher it'd be a godsend.
Sent from my SM-N910U using Tapatalk
Avatiach said:
I'd love to see improved GPS performance. Also, would be great if Samsung allowed apps to communicate with phone apps not via Bluetooth, so that the watch can fully work when connected to the phone remotely (kinda takes the point out of the 3g version if most apps only work if the phone is around.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought the watch does not have gps? it only gets the data it needs to put it in maps app from your phone (connected through bluetooth/wifi)
I love this watch, but the app selection is terrible to say the least.
Is there a app where I can identify music? I use this on my phone constantly because I'm in my car 8 hours a day. Now that I find myself going solo w/ out my phone, I can't use this and it's driving me nuts.
Is Tizen hard to work with? I'm curious why it seems all developers steer clear.
Tizen is just another flavor of Linux, much like Android. The reason development is slow is because there aren't many Tizen devices. Developers go for the big market share devices to maximize profits.
Actually the app side of tizen right now is not bad. I expected less apps than my moto 360. Oddly enough, I find that there are more apps! Even better, gear s3 apps aren't stuck behind a paywall pretty much all the android wear apps are.
Compared to a smartphone, yes the app selection is horrific. Which is why smart watches are having so much trouble taking off.
nascar48 said:
Actually the app side of tizen right now is not bad. I expected less apps than my moto 360. Oddly enough, I find that there are more apps! Even better, gear s3 apps aren't stuck behind a paywall pretty much all the android wear apps are.
Compared to a smartphone, yes the app selection is horrific. Which is why smart watches are having so much trouble taking off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But people have to take smart watches in to prospective. We expect them to act like our phones with all sorts of apps. Truth is that smart watch primary function is getting notifications. You can't expect an app to robust on such a tiny screen. Yes Android wear has plenty of apps or companion apps to Android apps but I have found most of them useless. My S3 does exactly what I need and better executed than Android Wear and the Apple watch. I actually own a LG urbane which I never use anymore and I sold my Apple watch when I switched to Android and I don't miss it one bit.
Truth is you are still going to have to take your phone out for certain things. The smart watch was not made to replace the phone, just as the tablet doesn't replace a computer. I use my phone and tablet for 95% of my needs but there are certain things that I still need a computer for. Maybe one day the tablet will replace the computer or the smart watch will replace the phone but it's just not there yet.
Right now the S3 with LTE is hands down the best on the market, hands down!
I see where everyone is coming from, but keep in mind, they built this watch so you can leave your phone behind if need be, so something like Shazam, where it can pick up the song and then add it to my list that I can see on my smartphone too, is great.
tnt2sniper said:
I see where everyone is coming from, but keep in mind, they built this watch so you can leave your phone behind if need be, so something like Shazam, where it can pick up the song and then add it to my list that I can see on my smartphone too, is great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then petition Shazam to make a tizen app.
a good internet radio app would be cool to have on the s3 , a youtube app where you could sign in would also be nice for catching up on subs on youtube , got filmon to work in the browser , video was good but no sound sadly.
Sirdragonx said:
But people have to take smart watches in to prospective. We expect them to act like our phones with all sorts of apps. Truth is that smart watch primary function is getting notifications. You can't expect an app to robust on such a tiny screen. Yes Android wear has plenty of apps or companion apps to Android apps but I have found most of them useless. My S3 does exactly what I need and better executed than Android Wear and the Apple watch. I actually own a LG urbane which I never use anymore and I sold my Apple watch when I switched to Android and I don't miss it one bit.
Truth is you are still going to have to take your phone out for certain things. The smart watch was not made to replace the phone, just as the tablet doesn't replace a computer. I use my phone and tablet for 95% of my needs but there are certain things that I still need a computer for. Maybe one day the tablet will replace the computer or the smart watch will replace the phone but it's just not there yet.
Right now the S3 with LTE is hands down the best on the market, hands down!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Spot on with this comment mate!
I have spent some time over the past 2-3yrs trying to get people to understand that you can't expect too much from a 1.3" screen! Apps are for the most part gimmicky. A smartwatch's prime use is time, date, notification relaying, fitness, news/weather, navigation, call taking/making and music control. These are all covered. What apps do people REALLY want and would honestly use?
.
To be honest i really miss the original Galaxy Gear (SM-V700) which had the built-in camera which i used daily, which ran android, and i could literally send over any apk via bluetooth may that be gmail, a launcher, messenger, youtube, shazam, angry birds or whatever and it would run the app pretty well. Yeah. I miss that. I think everybody should have the freedom to use their smartwatch for whatever they wish. I understand that with tizen, samsung can become independent, they could triple/quadruple the battery life, but they essentially killed all the functionality that the watch had had. Bring back stock android or at least android wear.
theonlymac001 said:
To be honest i really miss the original Galaxy Gear (SM-V700) which had the built-in camera which i used daily, which ran android, and i could literally send over any apk via bluetooth may that be gmail, a launcher, messenger, youtube, shazam, angry birds or whatever and it would run the app pretty well. Yeah. I miss that. I think everybody should have the freedom to use their smartwatch for whatever they wish. I understand that with tizen, samsung can become independent, they could triple/quadruple the battery life, but they essentially killed all the functionality that the watch had had. Bring back stock android or at least android wear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I expected to have a few more options for compatible software but think more are on the way. I can pretty much do everything I need to BUT feel like I'm really missing a camera for sharing quick photos via MMS and video chat via Skype, etc.
Google Voice, which I have used for a few years, just released a new version and it allows user to send MMS. Haven't changed setting to make it my primary messaging app again, I went to stock messaging app when I got the S3 because I couldn't receive MMS or reply to messages on Google Voice.
So, I have had this watch since late November, so, here's my honest opinion after ~7 weeks use. (I suspect I get unnecessarily flamed by Samsung Fans for this!!)
The Good
- The design, rotating bezel is the best attempt yet at a simple selection system for a smartwatch
- The battery life - I easily get 3 days
- The hardware - nice screen, snappy performance
- Answering/rejecting calls from the watch works very well and call quality is superb
- Notifications work well, but limited as to what one can do with them with non samsung phone
- Huge number of watch faces - but who needs more than one?
- When S-Voice is working (which is rarely) its handy for 'remind me to...', 'set alarm for...' requests.
- Controlling music player on phone works well enough
- Very few decent apps, but Remote Camera, Xenozu (Youtube), Gear Browser, Toggles, Flipboard work pretty well.
The Bad - (Warning - this is pretty scathing!)
- Only 1.4GB free on watch from the original 4GB
- Watch is full of junk that cannot be uninstalled (useless watch faces useless apps)
- Seriously compromised if not using with a Samsung phone (eg no email, limited sms messaging)
- No way to add SMS functionality via third party apps. Can send messages, but can not go back through old received messages.
- No Gmail/Email (pop3/imap) app, if you have a Samsung phone you get this feature, if not then tough. A stand alone imap-enabled client would have solved this.
- Often the only option in notifications is 'show on phone' eg from FB messenger/twitter notifications - where we are talking about just a few words, this defeats the purpose of the watch, I need to be able to read on watch and reply on watch. This limitation gets tiresome. 3rd parties EG FB/twitter could fix this with their own S3 app, or notifications that allow 'reply', but we all know they never will. Some other notifications (eg email are less limiting)
- Samsungs App store is god-awful - there are many poor quality, paid apps, and when one installs them and discovers they are rubbish there is NO WAY to get a refund (unlike the google play store). I have wasted £20 this way.
- Decent apps on the Samsung store are hard to come by. The (fairly pointless) Xenozu Youtube app, gear brower along with the widgets app (displays android widgets on yr watch) are about the only decent ones that exist. The latter eats battery on the phone though. One notable exception being the remote camera app which is good.
- Samsung pay still does not work in the UK, and no idea when or if it ever will.
- a good 80% of the 'apps' on the Samsung store are simply watch faces - I only need one watch face.
- What remains is an extremely poor collection of extremely buggy apps.
- The 'SMS Service is not available' response to S-Voice attempts to 'Send a text to xxx' requests is tedious. There was no need to screw the functionality up so much for non Samsung phone users.
- Very often S-Voice does not respond - just times out and gives a spoken error
- The remote connection (via wifi) when watch is not connected via bluetooth is unreliable. Its supposed to make a remote connection to phone and allow notifications/etc to still be sent to the watch. Most of the time, it does not work even where watch/phone are on same wifi network, I have never had it work when they are on different networks.
- The watch is fussy about wifi networks (it wont work at all in my workplace for instance). It connects, but no connectivity.
- S-Health is a pile of junk, it auto-detects cycling when I am doing 60MPH on the motorway for instance!!! Among many other issues. Where is the option to remove it and replace with Strava? S-Health on the phone also eats the phones battery in no time.
Samsung needs to up their game if they are serious about Tizen Smartwatches, supplying their own developers for free to the likes of facebook, twitter, whatsapp, hive, ifttt, Skitrax etc in order to ensure that apps for the watch get developed, or paying devs to develop for the platform. They also need to change their store to allow a refund window for rubbish apps.
Samsung could WRITE an IMAP app to fix the email hole on the watch (could be configured from phone, but then work without phone)
Nigel
I am a Samsung fan and I agree with a lot of your gripes, but with all Tech products the "honeymoon" period is pretty short, in other words the level of excitement wears off quickly.
But I agree, if they want Tizen to take off, they need to have major upgrades to the software side of the experience. Samsung is and always will be a great hardware manufacturer, but the software side is always a question-mark. This goes for the overloaded useless crap software on their galaxy phones to the poor software functionality of their smart tvs.
Google is releasing Android Wear upgrades so hopefully some competition outside of Apple will spruce things up, but I am not holding my breath.
BTW, I had to turn off S Voice as it would randomly turn on 2-3 times a day (I didn't even have voice recognition configured) when I was in meetings, very embarrassing. I should have the capability to uninstall it all together.
Also 100% agree on the refund period, like what the hell, in this day and age it should be an easy thing to do. Have bought so many faces and apps that look great and advertise great functionality to only be disappointed when seeing it work after installation. Money wasted.
The only reason I dont have a Samsung phone is the software. Hardware great, but why oh why do they have to mess with stock android so much!?
Sent from my SGP621 using Tapatalk
I bought the frontier to try out Tizen. The other reasons were Samsung Pay, GPS (coming from Huawei Watch) and IP68 certification. I was hoping there would be great apps to support it along the way. The watch build (minus the rotating bezel) is fantastic but Tizen and the current Gear apps are just not exciting enough and hence my feelings are similar to the OP. Maybe my expectations for a wearable are too much. However, I'm looking forward to what Under Armour has to offer since I like to track my runs. Still keeping my Huawei with latest Wear developer preview installed which I actually prefer over Tizen for its clean UI, Google search and wrist gestures. I hardly touch the Frontier's rattling bezel for the fear of it breaking loose. I wish I could tap the screen to turn on the display as with the Huawei. These are just my preferences but its good that I can have the same notifications on both watches at the same time using one phone and therefore be able to switch between the two.
I agree with the OP post plus I'm fed up with the bugs and crap altitude and barometer. Maybe I'll switch to the Fenix 5 when it's released.
I also own a Lg G watch r, and the thing i miss on Gear s3 are the lack of google`s software integration. Would like to use "ok google", by far superior to S-voice. Also google maps, with turn by turn navigation on my wrist.
The selection of watchfaces are awful on gear, and many of them does not look nice on the watch. Missing Watchmaker app, awesome selection of quality watchfaces created by users.
Like mentioned in OP, the notifications are not rich enough.. the idea of the watch making it easier is not working good enough. BUT im hoping there will be changes coming, because it an nice looking and powerful watch.
blackspp said:
I agree with the OP post plus I'm fed up with the bugs and crap altitude and barometer. Maybe I'll switch to the Fenix 5 when it's released.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fully agree with you. There is no apps and Samsung does not bring much to the table. It should be improving the experience, but in place they just rotate few features between models. They don't add new features, but only remove some to replace them with others. Then next models, swap them again (e.g. IR remote).
Progress will be to keep the existing and ADD something!
The only thing I enjoy with the Gear S3 is the look. I felt an improvement in quality, but nothing else. Hope that new intersting apps will get on board soon and that firmware update will be able to correct irrealistic figures from all sensors in that watch.
I fully agree with all of you.
I can use Google maps now with Directions, but even that one I have to start manually.
Toggles was new for me. (Thanks)
But still a lot of handy things as in the first part of Nigel's story.
Quick read my mail, etc etc, coming from a ,not too bad, Sony Smartwatch, its great.
And we have this beautiful KLM airline app.
S-Voice is a drama. (no Dutch)
But this is the Tizen choice. We knew it... lets face it.
Huib
Does anyone know if android wear 2.0 will support android pay on rooted phones? The only reason I'm keeping my Gear S3 is for samsung pay. The rest is too buggy as mentioned here. The other reason is spotify, which rarely works well for me anymore.
soundneedle said:
Does anyone know if android wear 2.0 will support android pay on rooted phones? The only reason I'm keeping my Gear S3 is for samsung pay. The rest is too buggy as mentioned here. The other reason is spotify, which rarely works well for me anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There first has to be a watch that supports Android pay with nfc. Right now there isn't any and idk looks like they might not let root users unless they make a separate app for Android pay for watches like Samsung did for Samsung pay for the gear s3 on how it is separate from the Samsung pay phone version. We should know hopefully soon.
Geez!
I was tempted by the Amoled screen vs the LCD of the Moto 360 v2, but as I am an HTC phones user the limitations will be bad.
Though I see there are some custom roms, I wonder if they can fix most of the listed problems?
Samsung Pay with MST keeps me around. Truly groundbreaking on a watch. If you're not using that, then yeah I can see how you'd throw in the towel.
I'm mystified by the lack of app developers as well as Samsung's poor app offerings! I want to be able to read all Flipboard posts! I want better functionality from the calendar. I want Facebook, a better browser and a swyping keyboard! And I want them to fix the WiFi so you can connect to password protected networks!
Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk
kronium said:
Samsung Pay with MST keeps me around. Truly groundbreaking on a watch. If you're not using that, then yeah I can see how you'd throw in the towel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Likewise, first impression was "Wow great watch" but after a month with it, it got bland fast so I sold my Canadian version (which didn't have Samsung Pay on it). I found out through the forum that the American versions have Samsung Pay which would work in Canada and that Watchmaker could trigger Tasker so I decided to buy another one. Honestly love the watch now! Samsung Pay IS really groundbreaking and makes this watch totally worth it. (blah blah blah I know, spending money so that you can pay for more stuff you don't need...)
I use tasker to control my home automation so that's a plus too.
I am fully aware that the Gear S3 is a smartwatch first and sport tracker second. But Samsung come on, at least have Strava come -on-board with a native app, S-Health sucks big time.
Yup. It seems to work okay with cycling. Just okay.
S Health is a humongous battery hog.
And how about a Pandora native app also.
I use the watch daily. I can see my notifications (text and Gmail) on the watch without looking at my phone. I also use Samsung Pay almost daily. I have the LTE version, so it it nice to be able to have a stand-alone device if needed. There are many, many reasons I like this watch. However, I think it is obvious that there is a huge lack of usable apps for this watch. Clearly, this is mostly because of Tizen, but Samsung is to blame for that. They have taken little initiative to get real app development. They could at least create a bridge that would allow some Android apps to function on Tizen. They are very hoggish and want to control all aspects of the watch for themselves but aren't moving fast to do so. They offer a BMW app for the watch, but how many people drive a BMW? Why not offer a Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge app, etc...? The list is way too long to mention here of usable apps that need to be available for this watch. So, as I have mentioned in other threads, the watch is great...it just severely lacks app development and Samsung's weak attempts (****ty contests) to inspire development is falling way short. I can only hope they change this very soon. Google should be releasing a pretty awesome watch very soon and I'm not sure if Samsung Pay is going to be enough to keep me with the S3. Especially since I can just use my phone for the same thing.
scott14719 said:
I use the watch daily. I can see my notifications (text and Gmail) on the watch without looking at my phone. I also use Samsung Pay almost daily. I have the LTE version, so it it nice to be able to have a stand-alone device if needed. There are many, many reasons I like this watch. However, I think it is obvious that there is a huge lack of usable apps for this watch. Clearly, this is mostly because of Tizen, but Samsung is to blame for that. They have taken little initiative to get real app development. They could at least create a bridge that would allow some Android apps to function on Tizen. They are very hoggish and want to control all aspects of the watch for themselves but aren't moving fast to do so. They offer a BMW app for the watch, but how many people drive a BMW? Why not offer a Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge app, etc...? The list is way too long to mention here of usable apps that need to be available for this watch. So, as I have mentioned in other threads, the watch is great...it just severely lacks app development and Samsung's weak attempts (****ty contests) to inspire development is falling way short. I can only hope they change this very soon. Google should be releasing a pretty awesome watch very soon and I'm not sure if Samsung Pay is going to be enough to keep me with the S3. Especially since I can just use my phone for the same thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with everything you say except SPay! Amen!
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Ditto the two above posts...
I bought the watch 2 weeks ago and I love the way it functions personally. S health got a major upgrade 2 weeks ago, and to get the most of it you need to check off the activities that you like in the S gear app. So far I have just run and walked using this app. and it gives heart rate, and let's you know your pace and calories burned. I have yet to track weight training, and such. The Under Armor apps are there, but I seem to get and invalid email error so far. One of the best keeps getting better since the last heart rate monitoring addition.
First let me say this is a very fine piece of Hardware and I have been researching it these last few days and got nowhere, yes I see the demo's and reviews and it's all great but...………………………… and it is a big but
and please correct me if I am wrong and take it as a question more than a statement
- I cannot get access to view the available apps unless I have a Samsung phone - which I don't
- I have done numerous searches to find what I want and come up with near enough nothing
Currently I have a Smartwatch with a single watchface that is giving me all this when I look at it
Time Day and date at my location
Time at another location
Watch Batt Status
Phone Batt Status
Weather today temp hi/lo with pic
Currency conversion of my choosing (set on phone) realtime
It shows me all messages from all my messaging apps on my phone with the text, sms, line, FBmessenger WhatsApp etc.
Incoming calls with contact details or number etc
I can set my phone on the other side of the room and fully control my music player (poweramp) with album art etc, my music is stored as mp3 on the phone so is there even a music player app for the Gear S3 that can access the music on my phone and play it controlling the phone and playing from the phone ?
I really would like to buy this watch but can it do all that, can it even do all that with separate apps if want to scroll through to get there for stuff like currency and media control (Sony Phone)
can someone please confirm
Yes I get that I am not going to get a watch face that will show me what my current one does but is it even possible using apps widgets downloaded to the phone and/or watch to at least give me the functionality I have now
And I stress I am not being critical of the Gear S3 because I really like it and I want one provided it can tick all the boxes
Probably with a Wear OS watch
dersie said:
Probably with a Wear OS watch
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Click to collapse
yes I agree, I've been doing a lot of reading up these last few days and the Samsung Gear S3 is the best watch on the market but it fails miserably because they opted to break from Android OS (Wear), I think they were trying to become Brand Specific like Apple but that is never going to work on Android - very foolish
I have narrowed my choices down to 3, Ticwatch Pro, LG and Fossil, Ticwatch is slightly in the lead, but I have decided that it must be Android OS, just a pity Samsung S3 went a different direction, I am not going to buy a watch that only functions for 50% of what I want no matter how good the Hardware is, to me it is a fail and wouldn't take it at half the price
Geoffxx said:
yes I agree, I've been doing a lot of reading up these last few days and the Samsung Gear S3 is the best watch on the market but it fails miserably because they opted to break from Android OS (Wear), I think they were trying to become Brand Specific like Apple but that is never going to work on Android - very foolish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the Gear S3 is the best watch at this time.
Wear watch are really horrible. Very bad battery life (sometime not last the day), a lot of bug and hang, often the watch take long seconds to respond (when it works, often not works but do not know why ???) ..... apps are very rare do not mistake I have G-Watch, R-Watch, LG-Sport, Sony SW3, Asus ZW2, Ticwatch E) all are almost unusables. You must install app (and often faces) with the phone AND AFTER use the watch (with tiny screen) to go on Playstore WITH the watch (when it works).
With Tizen you have the "Watchmaker" app (same as Wear OS) and you can have advanced watch face. On Tizen I have note app, Google Task app, evernote app..... nothing for Wear and almost none of this kind
dersie said:
I think the Gear S3 is the best watch at this time.
Wear watch are really horrible. Very bad battery life (sometime not last the day), a lot of bug and hang, often the watch take long seconds to respond (when it works, often not works but do not know why ???) ..... apps are very rare do not mistake I have G-Watch, R-Watch, LG-Sport, Sony SW3, Asus ZW2, Ticwatch E) all are almost unusables. You must install app (and often faces) with the phone AND AFTER use the watch (with tiny screen) to go on Playstore WITH the watch (when it works).
With Tizen you have the "Watchmaker" app (same as Wear OS) and you can have advanced watch face. On Tizen I have note app, Google Task app, evernote app..... nothing for Wear and almost none of this kind
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Click to collapse
why not address my first post and tell me exactly (from my requirements) what the S3 can and cannot do
lets start with a live exchange rate widget or even stock quotes, I am still using a Sony Sw2 and it does everything I want it too, I actually just bought an LG Watch Urbane 2 nd Edition LTE Unlocked for 100GBP brand new, very cheap IMO
also if I buy and Samsung Gear S3 I lose 50% of the functionality because I don't have a Samsung phone and never will have
And what we lost with a no Samsung phone ? The only thing is, maybe, the Samsung Email app wich works with Samsung watch. But even with a Samsung phone I use Aquamail and not the Samsung mail. All others things works same with samsung and other phone since the S2 serie.
dersie said:
And what we lost with a no Samsung phone ? The only thing is, maybe, the Samsung Email app wich works with Samsung watch. But even with a Samsung phone I use Aquamail and not the Samsung mail. All others things works same with samsung and other phone since the S2 serie.
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Click to collapse
I believe you are wrong about that
Remember I don't have one and was unable to look at apps because I don't have Samsung phone.....but here is what I have read
- messaging doesn't work properly
- music player (control) extremely limited
- email
- calling functionality
- limited apps but I honestly don't know this for sure because I can't access the app store to look, what I do know is that AW is 100% supported with apps for absolutely everything I would ever need
like I mentioned - stuff like currency/stock tracking doesn't exist, XE is AW enabled but doesn't exist on S3
I use Poweramp as my music player on my phone and can completely control it from my ancient Sony SW2 - go figure, this is extremely useful if I am out and want to hook my phone up to an external sound system - my phone sits meters away and I can control everything from SW from my seat, does Samsung S3 support Poweramp ?? well I don't know because I cannot access the secret Samsung app store without a Samsung Phone or SW - maybe they are hiding it
The list my friend is endless, like I said in my OP - the Gear S3 is IMO the best hardware out there but is unusable on a none Samsung setup and even if you have Samsung phone it is still limited because of lack of app support
IMO Samsung made an error not adopting Android Wear and would have dominated the market it they had
Like said, since Gear S2 Samsung apps works on all Android phone with 1.5Go RAM. Works also on IOS but limited for app wich have an android compagnon app. Messaging is like all others apps and works same way on Wear OS or Tizen OS.
Email ? wear has not really an email app, works just with notification system like Tizen OS. Same for all
Geoffxx said:
I believe you are wrong about that
Remember I don't have one and was unable to look at apps because I don't have Samsung phone.....but here is what I have read
- messaging doesn't work properly
- music player (control) extremely limited
- email
- calling functionality
- limited apps but I honestly don't know this for sure because I can't access the app store to look, what I do know is that AW is 100% supported with apps for absolutely everything I would ever need
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a OnePlus 6 and a S9+, currently my Gear S3 is paired with my OnePlus.
I get my messages through Google voice and Facebook messenger, both work well. The random text messages work too. With all of these I get notifications but don't have the history, which is fine IMO, I can see and reply to messages, but I don't need to start a conversation from my watch in my usage.
I can play/pause/fast forward/rewind/adjust volume. It works for what is playing already, so I can't start my podcast unless it is 'ready' in the Android system (ie, if I press the play button on my headphones and it would play the podcast/music).
Email, I get notifications for Gmail, can't start a conversation on the watch though.
I can call and recieve calls.
The apps appear to be the same.
I tried the TicWatch pro, it was good, but the health features were crap compared to the S3, plus no MST and slightly worse battery life made me go back to the S3.
Edit: I'm not sure about the watch face thing..... Maybe later this week I can set up the watch designer from Samsung and see if some/all can be added to a watch face.
_Dennis_ said:
I have a OnePlus 6 and a S9+, currently my Gear S3 is paired with my OnePlus.
I get my messages through Google voice and Facebook messenger, both work well. The random text messages work too. With all of these I get notifications but don't have the history, which is fine IMO, I can see and reply to messages, but I don't need to start a conversation from my watch in my usage.
I can play/pause/fast forward/rewind/adjust volume. It works for what is playing already, so I can't start my podcast unless it is 'ready' in the Android system (ie, if I press the play button on my headphones and it would play the podcast/music).
Email, I get notifications for Gmail, can't start a conversation on the watch though.
I can call and recieve calls.
The apps appear to be the same.
I tried the TicWatch pro, it was good, but the health features were crap compared to the S3, plus no MST and slightly worse battery life made me go back to the S3.
Edit: I'm not sure about the watch face thing..... Maybe later this week I can set up the watch designer from Samsung and see if some/all can be added to a watch face.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
like I said - 50 functionality, I want something that will work and is fully supported not something that is going to be hit and miss, but it is by far the best in terms of HW.
Over that last few days I have come across many people saying the same thing "I wish it was Android OS" even on this forum where one of the longest threads is about exactly that - porting AW
Geoffxx said:
like I said - 50 functionality, I want something that will work and is fully supported not something that is going to be hit and miss, but it is by far the best in terms of HW.
Over that last few days I have come across many people saying the same thing "I wish it was Android OS" even on this forum where one of the longest threads is about exactly that - porting AW
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had WearOS, the only thing that was better (and not by much) was side loading Facebook messenger lite. Otherwise, IMO, Tizen and WearOS are very close in functionality, with WearOS winning in apps and Tizen in hardware. WearOS had more apps, but most aren't very useful, and I can program watchface in Tizen easier then WearOS. Tizen had more built in (probably do to the lack of third party apps) so things like sleep tracking works better.
Honestly, but a watch from somewhere with a good return policy and try it out, it's the only way you'll know if it works for you. I'd do this with both watches and see which works better in your specific use case.
I'm honestly not trying to persuade you one way or the other, just having used both OS's recently I want to give an accurate description as to their strengths and weaknesses.
_Dennis_ said:
I've had WearOS, the only thing that was better (and not by much) was side loading Facebook messenger lite. Otherwise, IMO, Tizen and WearOS are very close in functionality, with WearOS winning in apps and Tizen in hardware. WearOS had more apps, but most aren't very useful, and I can program watchface in Tizen easier then WearOS. Tizen had more built in (probably do to the lack of third party apps) so things like sleep tracking works better.
Honestly, but a watch from somewhere with a good return policy and try it out, it's the only way you'll know if it works for you. I'd do this with both watches and see which works better in your specific use case.
I'm honestly not trying to persuade you one way or the other, just having used both OS's recently I want to give an accurate description as to their strengths and weaknesses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply and I do understand, I'm in buying mode and have been reading and looking for hours upon hours just absorbing info on all the options, I started this thread for that exact purpose and it is turning out the way I wanted - input from experienced people that is helping me get through the clutter, I have order a watch that I managed to get at a reasonable price 100 sterling for an LG Urbane 2nd addition so no huge investment, the LG sport is a better watch but 2-3 times the price, so I will get it in a couple of days and see how I go with that, unfortunately I won't have my new phone until Sept (Xperia XZ2 Premium) so I will have to manage with my dated Xperia Z1 but it should give me an idea of what I'm dealing with
again thx for taking an interest in my thread you have been very helpful
had my first day with the LG and wow absolutely superb, helped along with the App watchfaces which is also superb
funny I set the watch up and charged it and went out, I actually thought there was something wrong when it showed 100% battery for 2 hours and then started to very slowly drop, I am now 8hrs in and still have 67% battery which I think is impressive, and I had an always on face with lots of widgets, very impressed