Has anyone found an option to use the watch for standalone GPS navigation? I realize it would be a last resort since it's not as easy to use as your phone, but I.E. if your phone got left at home or whatever, I'd like to be able to use the watch for directions.
The Here Maps app requires BT pairing with the phone, which in my opinion, makes it useless. Because if you have your phone in your pocket, who wouldn't just use the phone??
EDIT: from what I can tell, Komoot also does not do this.
Any luck finding this? I just got the watch and was disappointed that this feature was not available since I'd rather use Google Maps if I have my phone on me...
I didn't own the Gear S, but it appears there was a Gear Navigator Standalone app that did just what you [and I] are looking for. It looks like the developer of the app is actually the one that makes a companion app for the Gear S2's HERE Maps as well (although that rely's on the BT connection still), so hopefully they'll come out with one for the S2. Anyone know about anything in development?
kjdBonez said:
Any luck finding this? I just got the watch and was disappointed that this feature was not available since I'd rather use Google Maps if I have my phone on me...
I didn't own the Gear S, but it appears there was a Gear Navigator Standalone app that did just what you [and I] are looking for. It looks like the developer of the app is actually the one that makes a companion app for the Gear S2's HERE Maps as well (although that rely's on the BT connection still), so hopefully they'll come out with one for the S2. Anyone know about anything in development?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah under settings > conenctions > then scroll down to the bottom for "locations" > turn it on and select the GPS method you want.
I have verizon, so it may be different for yours. Also, there is no GPS for the wifi/bluetooth model
53aray said:
Yeah under settings > conenctions > then scroll down to the bottom for "locations" > turn it on and select the GPS method you want.
I have verizon, so it may be different for yours. Also, there is no GPS for the wifi/bluetooth model
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Turning on GPS doesn't give you turn-by-turn navigation though. You can pull up the maps app and see your location, but in order to navigate to a destination as you would with Google Maps, Waze, a Garmin, etc you need to be BT-connected to your phone still.
Search for "Gear Navigator Standalone" in the Gear store. (It's there for me anyway; I'm in the US.) Claims to provide exactly what you want. Although the current instructions say for S2-3G users, "because of weak GPS signal under certain conditions, it is highly recommended to pair smartwatch with phone to get accurate GPS coordinates and internet connection."
tstreete said:
Search for "Gear Navigator Standalone" in the Gear store. (It's there for me anyway; I'm in the US.) Claims to provide exactly what you want. Although the current instructions say for S2-3G users, "because of weak GPS signal under certain conditions, it is highly recommended to pair smartwatch with phone to get accurate GPS coordinates and internet connection."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone else pointed this out to me on another thread. Are you on a non-3G version? I think it has been temporarily pulled for the 3G version. I contacted the developer last night and he was quick to respond - said it should be re-released sometime in May after some big fixes.
kjdBonez said:
Someone else pointed this out to me on another thread. Are you on a non-3G version? I think it has been temporarily pulled for the 3G version. I contacted the developer last night and he was quick to respond - said it should be re-released sometime in May after some big fixes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that it explains it, I'm on a non-3g S2 classic.
I am quite interested in this -- for public transit navigation. Even paired with a phone, does it work well without a data connection?
In my gear S2 3G (AT&T) has a small bug with S-health application.
When I run I use the GPS in watch to make my track, and on the same route and the same place, when I put the option to walk it notes 1,2km in 25minutos, when I use the run option he notes 4.5km in 25minutos that is what that's right.
Someone with the same bug?
So I finally have it and as a female it's huge. But that aside I swear I was able to answer skype messages and such on the S2. To verify this i looked online and many people were happy this worked, so thus confirmed. But on my S3 despite having turned on notifications for skype it doesn't work. Notifications for it never pop up.
I have the Frontier lte on att. BT enable cell network enabled. Can someone please help Me? I have a disabled family member who only uses skype messaging for communicating. For some reason I thought this would work especially since I can turn on the notifications and it worked on the S2.
Thank you very, very much.
Have the same problem, the available option is only check on the phone.
Any thoughts?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk
I was able to get my apps working where I could respond to them by making them work even if I was using the phone. I had to set my Gear S3 where cellular was always on, and I also downloaded the android wear app. Tried to connect it to the gear s3 so it would at least be set up. Gave it notification permissions in lock screen and security settings/other settings/notification settings (Note 7, don't judge lol) check android wear. By doing this I can respond to apps without buying other apps like notification something or another...lol...I respond to Hangouts, Facebook Messenger, Letgo, Skype, or any messenger. Problem I'm having is that you cannot initiate any of those apps from watch...smdh
ksimpsonel said:
I was able to get my apps working where I could respond to them by making them work even if I was using the phone. I had to set my Gear S3 where cellular was always on, and I also downloaded the android wear app. Tried to connect it to the gear s3 so it would at least be set up. Gave it notification permissions in lock screen and security settings/other settings/notification settings (Note 7, don't judge lol) check android wear. By doing this I can respond to apps without buying other apps like notification something or another...lol...I respond to Hangouts, Facebook Messenger, Letgo, Skype, or any messenger. Problem I'm having is that you cannot initiate any of those apps from watch...smdh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, how did you connect your watch to android wear app?
I installed the app on my phone selected my S3 in the pairing screen, i got as far as entering the PIN to pair the bluetooth but since then the app says "trying to connect..."
You do not need to connect your watch to the android wear app. Just install android wear app, use it in Emulator mode. Then go in and give it permissions.
I was looking to get an S3. What I wanted to know is can the watch be connected to the app store and download faces/apps without a phone either over wifi or if an LTE version over the network? Such as if you get a tablet, you can use it fine with just a wifi connection, you don't need to pair those to a phone. I ask because for one I don't have the latest phone of the month (Sammy seems to snub those with phone models older than a year - slight exaggeration but not much). The other thing is that I want to be able to leave the phone home at times and still be able to browse for watch faces etc over wifi.
I really don't care about notifications or email (I don't get that many) nor to I want to pay for things with the watch. When I really need to do those things I don't find using the phone that much work. I just want the watch to use as a watch, and have some helpful apps to use when not carrying my phone, is it possible?
Out the box, the Gear S3 can be setup and used by itself, without ever connecting to a smartphone. I call this independent mode. It can make and receive phone calls and messages, tell time, date, and weather, be an alarm clock, set reminders, and monitor fitness (i.e. sleep, HR, steps). I operated this way for a couple of weeks after getting the watch.
Additional functionality is gained if you have a phone (tablets won't work) that is capable of running Gear Manager. This is necessary if you want to install and apps including watchfaces. The watch doesn't need to be constantly connected to the phone. There are two ways additional ways to leave the phone behind. In standalone mode, the watch is disconnected from the phone, but downloaded apps remain available. In remote connect mode, the phone communicates with the watch via cellular network, allowing notifications to pass through.
I use the S3 as my primary phone. I have a cheap Samsung phone that's used exclusively for the setup and management of the watch. I use a tablet for tasks (ie. content creation, computing, media consumption) that require a larger screen.
afblangley said:
Out the box, the Gear S3 can be setup and used by itself, without ever connecting to a smartphone. I call this independent mode. It can make and receive phone calls and messages, tell time, date, and weather, be an alarm clock, set reminders, and monitor fitness (i.e. sleep, HR, steps). I operated this way for a couple of weeks after getting the watch.
Additional functionality is gained if you have a phone (tablets won't work) that is capable of running Gear Manager. This is necessary if you want to install and apps including watchfaces. The watch doesn't need to be constantly connected to the phone. There are two ways additional ways to leave the phone behind. In standalone mode, the watch is disconnected from the phone, but downloaded apps remain available. In remote connect mode, the phone communicates with the watch via cellular network, allowing notifications to pass through.
I use the S3 as my primary phone. I have a cheap Samsung phone that's used exclusively for the setup and management of the watch. I use a tablet for tasks (ie. content creation, computing, media consumption) that require a larger screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So unlike a tablet Samsung locks you out of the app store on the actual watch even if LTE if you don't have a phone connected? That seems kind of dumb and limiting especially since the supported phone list is so small. Is it just because browsing apps on the watch is too difficult maybe?
I wonder if this will change, I can get apps on a tablet through wifi I don't see why not with the watch. This watch seems like a mini tablet that tells time.
afblangley said:
Out the box, the Gear S3 can be setup and used by itself, without ever connecting to a smartphone. I call this independent mode. It can make and receive phone calls and messages, tell time, date, and weather, be an alarm clock, set reminders, and monitor fitness (i.e. sleep, HR, steps). I operated this way for a couple of weeks after getting the watch.
Additional functionality is gained if you have a phone (tablets won't work) that is capable of running Gear Manager. This is necessary if you want to install and apps including watchfaces. The watch doesn't need to be constantly connected to the phone. There are two ways additional ways to leave the phone behind. In standalone mode, the watch is disconnected from the phone, but downloaded apps remain available. In remote connect mode, the phone communicates with the watch via cellular network, allowing notifications to pass through.
I use the S3 as my primary phone. I have a cheap Samsung phone that's used exclusively for the setup and management of the watch. I use a tablet for tasks (ie. content creation, computing, media consumption) that require a larger screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure my friend that it can make and receive calls and send messages without it being connected to the phone via bluetooth??i got mine s3 a week ago...i love it really, but it doesn't do these things when not connected ro the phone (s6 edge plus)...
Just saw, i have the bluetooth s3 frontier version and not the LTE version...so i guess that's why it has to be connected to the phone via bluetooth...
My only problem is that i can not connect to my phone via wi-fi...whenever i activate this option on my phone, it crashes with the message gear S pluggin has stopped working...any clues ?
Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk
afblangley said:
Out the box, the Gear S3 can be setup and used by itself, without ever connecting to a smartphone. I call this independent mode. It can make and receive phone calls and messages, tell time, date, and weather, be an alarm clock, set reminders, and monitor fitness (i.e. sleep, HR, steps). I operated this way for a couple of weeks after getting the watch.
Additional functionality is gained if you have a phone (tablets won't work) that is capable of running Gear Manager. This is necessary if you want to install and apps including watchfaces. The watch doesn't need to be constantly connected to the phone. There are two ways additional ways to leave the phone behind. In standalone mode, the watch is disconnected from the phone, but downloaded apps remain available. In remote connect mode, the phone communicates with the watch via cellular network, allowing notifications to pass through.
I use the S3 as my primary phone. I have a cheap Samsung phone that's used exclusively for the setup and management of the watch. I use a tablet for tasks (ie. content creation, computing, media consumption) that require a larger screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are these stand alone functions also available if you have the wifi version and no LTE?
I don't have any experience with the S3 BT model. I can only speak to the capability of the Frontier LTE. This watch is a phone. It has functionality that's probably comparable to a basic flip phone. It comes preloaded with apps for phone, messaging, contacts, S Health, weather, reminders, and a few others. When the eSIM is activated, it can perform tasks associated with these apps immediately upon startup. No phone is required.
When the watch is setup via Gear Manager, it installs software that enables additional apps to be installed and gains greater functionality. Most of which remains even when the watch is disconnected from the phone.
Gear Manger compatibility isn't limited to Samsung phones, it can be installed many Android phones, but not tablets. Not even Samsung tablets.
afblangley said:
I don't have any experience with the S3 BT model. I can only speak to the capability of the Frontier LTE. This watch is a phone. It has functionality that's probably comparable to a basic flip phone. It comes preloaded with apps for phone, messaging, contacts, S Health, weather, reminders, and a few others. When the eSIM is activated, it can perform tasks associated with these apps immediately upon startup. No phone is required.
When the watch is setup via Gear Manager, it installs software that enables additional apps to be installed and gains greater functionality. Most of which remains even when the watch is disconnected from the phone.
Gear Manger compatibility isn't limited to Samsung phones, it can be installed many Android phones, but not tablets. Not even Samsung tablets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the watch is basically a phone then why couldn't I directly install apps/faces etc from the watch? It doesn't make much sense to me. If I install apps on a phone I do't need another phone to install things on the first one. It seems like Samsung is just too lazy to make an app on the watch to do it, or they want everyone to have to buy a new phone to use the watch (and hopefully a big percentage will buy a Samsung phone wink wink).
I wonder what the free space on the watch memory/storage is between the BT and LTE versons? If the LTE has more stuff installed I wonder if user memory is less?
I'm one of the few who use an S3 as my primary phone. I too wish that the S3 was a more independent device. But as it stands right now, it's the most capable smartwatch available (excluding watches running full Android made by a few small manufacturers). I hope that it paves the way for more standalone offerings by Apple and Android Wear watch makers.
I have a gear s3 lte Att e-sim unlocked. How can I activated with ATT GO PHONE or any other carrier Cricket,Tmobile? I am not an att customer. Thank you!
handrade773 said:
I have a gear s3 lte Att e-sim unlocked. How can I activated with ATT GO PHONE or any other carrier Cricket,Tmobile? I am not an att customer. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the eSIM is provisioned via programming, Cricket and MVNOs don't have the system to do it. So that's a no go.
Theoretically, T-Mobile should be able to do it because they also sell the watch. The difficulty is finding an employee who knows how to do it, since the IMEI won't be in their database. Getting it on a wearable line instead of a smartphone (more expensive) or tablet (no talk) plan will be an additional obstacle.
Putting the watch on GoPhone is also technically doable, someone on this forum or Android Central said they did it. I think they called CS with the IMEI and ICCID. Perhaps they will chime in on exactly how they were able to get it done.
I called ATT CS and I was able to activated on $30 plan ($25 Auto).
AFBLANGLEY, does the phone that you use to set up and manage the watch with, does that phone need to have a service plan?
Thanks, Dan
Dudical said:
AFBLANGLEY, does the phone that you use to set up and manage the watch with, does that phone need to have a service plan?
Thanks, Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it doesn't need a SIM. As long as the phone is connected to a WiFi network, the watch can remotely connect to it. My phone sits docked permanently, right next to the router.
afblangley said:
No, it doesn't need a SIM. As long as the phone is connected to a WiFi network, the watch can remotely connect to it. My phone sits docked permanently, right next to the router.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you able to utilize apps like spotify and audible from the phone that is connected back home? I am going to attempt to use the same set up as you and keep my Iphone as primary phone. I just would like to get all notifications and be able to respond with the GS3 as well.
jmr5x said:
Are you able to utilize apps like spotify and audible from the phone that is connected back home? I am going to attempt to use the same set up as you and keep my Iphone as primary phone. I just would like to get all notifications and be able to respond with the GS3 as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's my understanding that if you have a Spotify premium account, you can stream directly to the watch, but I'm not a Spotify user. I don't believe that there is an Audible app for Tizen.
In terms of messages, email and notifications, yes they will be passed through as long as the watch is remotely connected to the "host" phone.
What you're wanting to do will work fine. The reason I have the setup is because I use a tablet and it is incompatible with the S3.
afblangley said:
It's my understanding that if you have a Spotify premium account, you can stream directly to the watch, but I'm not a Spotify user. I don't believe that there is an Audible app for Tizen.
In terms of messages, email and notifications, yes they will be passed through as long as the watch is remotely connected to the "host" phone.
What you're wanting to do will work fine. The reason I have the setup is because I use a tablet and it is incompatible with the S3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exciting news. Do you happen to have a link that describers your experience using the setup with additional phone? I would be interested to know some details but hate to pick your brain if its already out on the interwebs.
Im guessing that the tablet has no connection and never has to the GS3?
Are you using the tablet with google voice number for calls and messaging? I was contemplating on how I could link my Verizon number on the iPhone to the android at home near the router.
Does your gear s3 still count the steps without connection with the phone? Mine stops with bt and wifi turned off.
I WAS getting Gmail notifications on my standalone S3 Frontier and now I'm not. I have been playing with BT to try and improve battery life so that may have impacted. Currently I have BT OFF on the watch, ON on the phone and cannot get email notification. And gmail notofications are ON in the app. Just in case. Any ideas?
rogerperk said:
I WAS getting Gmail notifications on my standalone S3 Frontier and now I'm not. I have been playing with BT to try and improve battery life so that may have impacted. Currently I have BT OFF on the watch, ON on the phone and cannot get email notification. And gmail notofications are ON in the app. Just in case. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is the phone displaying the "Remotely Connected" status on Gear Manager App?
Also LTE is a battery hog compared to Bluetooth, using Bluetooth seems to be a better option according to me.:good:
No Remotely Connected. Just Stand Alone. Does Remotely Connected come on when in BT but separated from phone?
OK. NOW it says Remotely Connected for some reason. I tried various combinations of BT and physically left my phone behind and I guess whatever the most recent one was worked. Wish I'd kept notes.
And now it does NOT say Remotely Connected. Got any idea how this is supposed to work? BT and WiFi are off on the watch.