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.
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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.
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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 ?
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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.
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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!
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Related
I bought a Telstra Smart touch phone, powered by Android. I bought the phone because I wanted to use wi/fi and connect via my modem/router and use the phone when I have turned off my computers and leave the modem on so as to access the wireless. I didn't want to use the phone for the internet outside of the house via the 3G network because I can't afford that. I was told by my ISP that I could use the gigs I pay for by connecting to my router but that was not the case, I was misinformed. I only wanted to do this in case I thought of something after turning off my computers and leave the router on to access wireless. This did happen & I was able to pick up the wireless signal but I only did it once, one web site and 2 emails were sent in 3 weeks because I was worried that I was getting charged. Then I got my bill, $90 for internet charges for the mobile phone. After many questions to Telstra finally spoke to someone who seemed to know that the charges were because Android updates the applications on the phone. I tried turning off the Internet part but then I couldn't even use the calender on the phone unless I put in my gmail account, is there any way I can use the phone without Android updating all the time and causing me to be charged. I put the phone back to factory settings hoping I could just use it for general things, text messages, phone, calendar, reminders etc.
thank you,
Joan.
Turn off background data and uncheck "Automatic update" in the market under your installed apps. Apps such as Gmail, Maps etc. Is set to update automaticly.
And go through the phone settings and uncheck things that includes "data" and "auto".
Oh, you also want to disable auto sync. (it's in settings)
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thank you very much for helping me.
Joan
Sorry, I meant to ask ...if I do as you suggest will I be able to use the applications, such as the calendar, take photos etc., just like I can with my Samsung smart phone, but I don't have that enabled to the internet although it can be done but it's not wi/fi, thats why I bought this smart touch one and use it if I wanted to but only through my router wirelessly and it doesn't cost anything. I just want to be be able to send text messages including picture messages sometimes (I know the latter does cost). I could even use it as I first intended as a wi/fi phone at home, not through the 3G network though, through my router. I just don't want to have to pay for Android updates but would like to use the other features if they are available. I put the phone back to factory settings because I didn't think I could afford to use it but it's been bugging me so thought I would try again. I can't do anything with it though unless I enter my gmail account, so should I do that?.
Thank you very much for your time,
Joan.
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?
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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
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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.
Basically I want to turn my son's smart phone into a "dumb" phone. I still want him to be able to make/receive calls and txt msgs are ok, I just don't want him to be able to surf the web and play games all day. (It's a school grades issue, if he bring's em up we'll gladly restore his privileges!)
The phone in question is a Samsung Galaxy S5. I know I can turn off Data and Wi-Fi, I just don't want him to be able to go in and turn it back on without a password. Is that an administrator'ish thing that's built in or I can activate in Android? Are there any Play Store apps for that? I'm not terribly savvy but I'm not afraid to root if necessary...
Of course, substituting his Galaxy with a flip phone is always an option, too...
DBizzle1 said:
Basically I want to turn my son's smart phone into a "dumb" phone. I still want him to be able to make/receive calls and txt msgs are ok, I just don't want him to be able to surf the web and play games all day. (It's a school grades issue, if he bring's em up we'll gladly restore his privileges!)
The phone in question is a Samsung Galaxy S5. I know I can turn off Data and Wi-Fi, I just don't want him to be able to go in and turn it back on without a password. Is that an administrator'ish thing that's built in or I can activate in Android? Are there any Play Store apps for that? I'm not terribly savvy but I'm not afraid to root if necessary...
Of course, substituting his Galaxy with a flip phone is always an option, too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what you can do with mobile data. But you can restrict wifi to a device. Log in to your router and enable internet access priority setting under qos. Set priority to devices. Set medium or low priority to restrict device.
If you manage to root your device then you can use wifikill, network spoofer and netcut apps to disconnect other users from wifi.
I hope it help you.
DBizzle1 said:
Basically I want to turn my son's smart phone into a "dumb" phone. I still want him to be able to make/receive calls and txt msgs are ok, I just don't want him to be able to surf the web and play games all day. (It's a school grades issue, if he bring's em up we'll gladly restore his privileges!)
The phone in question is a Samsung Galaxy S5. I know I can turn off Data and Wi-Fi, I just don't want him to be able to go in and turn it back on without a password. Is that an administrator'ish thing that's built in or I can activate in Android? Are there any Play Store apps for that? I'm not terribly savvy but I'm not afraid to root if necessary...
Of course, substituting his Galaxy with a flip phone is always an option, too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can password lock his system settings so he can't turn WiFi on and if you turn off mobile data he can't turn that back on either.
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This app is perfect for what you want to do. I'm not a fan of third party apps. Especially ones that deal with security. But I used this for years.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sp.protector.free
Share your usage...
except of the regular notifications, samsung pay and so... What else? what Apps?
Yes im a new user with this watch after more then 3 years with the Moto 360 - which were great (with Google and android wear...) .
This watch helps me in maintaining a healthy activities.
It reminds me to standup after a long sitting, it tracks for my daily steps, my daily stair climbing, etc.
Is it accurate?.... Yesterday I climbed 3 floor on a row... And nada no evidence for it
To me, this watch is a gimmick. I just wear it like a watch and look at it to tell time.
boiteta said:
Is it accurate?.... Yesterday I climbed 3 floor on a row... And nada no evidence for it
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Yes accurate. I climb 8-10 floors x 3-4 times per day and it shows exactly each time.
Controlling media playback...love that I don't have to take my phone out of my pocket to pause or to skip forward or backward when listening to podcasts.
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Nice
I already have this option with my ear phones... But not limited too
What else?
boiteta said:
Nice
I already have this option with my ear phones... But not limited too
What else?
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Click to collapse
Is one of the tiny Bluetooth earbuds. I can pause and play with it but can't skip forward and back.
Other favorites are quick reply to texts, controlling home automation with a Smartthings app, grocery list with Our Groceries app, and taking the occasional call on the watch like **** Tracy.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
I've never been one to keep much cash in my wallet, I pay for everything (even a 79 cent Slurpee) with a debit card. So my number one favorite use of the watch is S Pay. It works almost everywhere, I so rarely need my wallet, I usually just leave it in the car.
My other primary use of the watch is phone calls and messages. While the battery won't support 90 minute conference calls, it's perfect for the typically short, 7 - 12 calls and couple dozen messages I usually have in a day. The watch is remotely connected to my phone, which stays at home. When I'm out and about, I keep a tablet nearby for running apps and tasks that aren't suitable for 1" screen.
Not having to carry a phone or a wallet has been a major convenience for me. This level of detachment probably won't fit most people's lifestyle, but on your next vacation, you may want to try it!
afblangley said:
I've never been one to keep much cash in my wallet, I pay for everything (even a 79 cent Slurpee) with a debit card. So my number one favorite use of the watch is S Pay. It works almost everywhere, I so rarely need my wallet, I usually just leave it in the car.
My other primary use of the watch is phone calls and messages. While the battery won't support 90 minute conference calls, it's perfect for the typically short, 7 - 12 calls and couple dozen messages I usually have in a day. The watch is remotely connected to my phone, which stays at home. When I'm out and about, I keep a tablet nearby for running apps and tasks that aren't suitable for 1" screen.
Not having to carry a phone or a wallet has been a major convenience for me. This level of detachment probably won't fit most people's lifestyle, but on your next vacation, you may want to try it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure I understand... How do u make calls while connected remotely?
boiteta said:
Not sure I understand... How do u make calls while connected remotely?
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Click to collapse
The LTE versions of the watch have a cellular radio. Call functionality exists regardless of whether it's connected via BT, remote connection, or standalone. But differences come into play with regard to caller ID and messages. The BT only watches can't make phone calls when remotely connected via wifi because there is no VoIP app for the watch.
To sync health data from the watch to the Samsung account over the cloud, the watch seems to need to connect to the phone by bluetooth, then it's the phone that syncs to the Samsung account. Is there a way to have the watch sync health data directly to the cloud via wifi, without needing the phone nearby?
Thanks
Have you enabled remote connection?
Would like to know if you get it to sync...
Remote connection is enabled. I am able to change some watch settings through the Galaxy Wearable app in my phone over wifi (remotely).
However, Samsung Health is not updating watch heath data remotely, such as the number of steps, o2 level, hr, etc.
I think you are right, the watch needs to be connected via BT. Probably because in contrast to other platform, Samsung Health is "offline" with the ability to back up on the cloud. Why would you need to sync data to the cloud directly though?
I use the watch to monitor my elderly dad's health. Although he has a phone, he doesn't really bring his phone around with him when he is at home (he's not tech savvy). I want to ideally be able to check his heart rate, o2 levels, etc., at any given time, as he has arrythmia and heart failure. Thus, it would be quite helpful if I can read the health data from his watch in real-time, even if I'm not beside him.
Could Google Fit or a third party app like Cardiograph help you achieve this?