I've been wearing a Gear S3 daily for almost a year. I'm old enough to remember life before everyone carried a computer in their pocket. The Gear S3 restored a sense of freedom that I didn't realize had been lost, by allowing me to feel comfortable leaving the house without my cellphone. But I'm atypical, that's been mostly a novelty (despite the efforts of Samsung, LG and a few unknown Chinese watch makers putting full Android OS on watches) until now. Within a few months there will be millions of folks wearing phone watches.
Apple is rarely at the forefront of technology, they are excellent at the implementation of technology.. Samsung (as usual) had a lead and an opportunity to set the standard for smartwatches. But they lacked a clear strategy, the apps were never developed, and support was abysmal. Now Apple will deliver on the potential that the Gear S3 had.
Still, many folks haven't bought into the Apple ecosystem. So all is not lost yet. Samsung's best chance at this point it is to abandon Tizen and work on creating the best Android Wear watch available. It can still become a giant in this niche if applies its technology, manufacturing, and marketing expertise before yet another player overtakes them.
At least now Apple will provide all the obvious features we've been missing, and everyone else will be forced to finally check all those boxes as well.
afblangley said:
Now Apple will deliver on the potential that the Gear S3 had.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh? Do you have a LTE Gear? I've had a cellular equipped Gear since the original Gear S came out. What does the Apple Watch LTE do that the Gear S3 LTE can't? If anything Apple's playing catch up to Samsung/Android. An AMOLED display and wireless charging are going to change the Apple faithful's lives. We've had that for years. Samsung's app implementation may be different than Apple's and sometimes not for the better but I don't see any huge deficiencies in the Gear S3 based on Watch 3 being released. We can still use MST for payment where Apple Pay is still NFC only both on the phone and watch. Regardless I think few people will change eco-systems over a wearable.
I had a Gear 2 Neo(Tizen) and a Gear Live (Android) which was basically the same exact hardware and design.
The Gear Live was much worse in comparison. Poorer battery life, would occasionally crash and lag, gestures were a bit confusing even after a good amount of time with it.
The Gear 2 Neo never crashed and barley lagged, battery life was excellent, and the UI was extremely easy to maneuver around. Also, notifications were better.
I know both Android wear and Tizen has much improved since then, but I still prefer today's Tizen over Android Wear 2.0 as my smartwatch OS.
I would rather Samsung work on more app integration with Tizen, rather than taking the easy way out and using Android Wear.
Even on my Apple Watch S2, I barely use much of the app integration, and I have a ton of apps installed. Yes, app integration is nice to have for when you want to use it, but I wouldn't choose to get rid of Tizen because of lack of. Tizen is the best smartwatch OS, IMO.
I would also like it, if Sammsung would make a top Android Wear watch with the rotating bezel etc.
The main reason for that wish are a lot of compatibility problems with many Android phones, also with my Huawei Mediapad X2, which isn't supported yet for unknown reason, but runs without any issue on Android Wear!
Also, I like Ok Google and Maps implemented
More examples are here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...d-samsung-gear-app-android-n-samsung-t3547035
The only reason I'd like Android Wear version of the Gear Sport is for apps that allow breadcrumbing of hikes, walks, and whatever else using the GPS. Neither Watch OS, Tizen, or Android Wear offer that feature natively, and Tizen is the only one to lack a 3rd party app that does that. But, devices from Garmin(either natively or some via a 3rd party app), Suunto, and Polar(I think the M600 Android wear watch has it natively with the Polar app).
Maybe the Apple watch will force the Gear Sport to offer even more software features, which is why Samsung won't tell us a release date for the device.
Had a apple watch for a year and a half...
Honestly, I used a apple watch (though it was a series 1) but I found it to be very boring after a while, you get way less level of customization as opposed to a Frontier, plus its just mostly buttons, one of the things that swayed me on getting a Frontier is the rotating bezel (stupid reason, i know) although the gear has some connectivity issues with using a iphone, in my opinion, it's just a bit more interesting than a apple watch since all three apple watches are similar in design and can sometimes get boring.
LancerEvoDrifter said:
Honestly, I used a apple watch (though it was a series 1) but I found it to be very boring after a while, you get way less level of customization as opposed to a Frontier, plus its just mostly buttons, one of the things that swayed me on getting a Frontier is the rotating bezel (stupid reason, i know) although the gear has some connectivity issues with using a iphone, in my opinion, it's just a bit more interesting than a apple watch since all three apple watches are similar in design and can sometimes get boring.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought gear s3 frontier because of the rotating bezel! :highfive:
Two things:
Android Wear is crap. It hasn't grown up and doesn't know what it wants to be once it grows up.
Apple. Nothing else need be said. I'd go without a smarthwatch before I'd put anything Apple on my wrist.
dkb218 said:
Two things:
Android Wear is crap. It hasn't grown up and doesn't know what it wants to be once it grows up.
Apple. Nothing else need be said. I'd go without a smarthwatch before I'd put anything Apple on my wrist.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes and yes. AW is way too heavy to be used with watch specs. you don't get the advantages of having a full OS on the watch, just the disadvantages.
apple watch looks like a tiny tube television strapped to the arm. i'm sure it works great but you look like a dum dum wearing it.
As it stands your head line is fake news. Apple watch changes nothing. Even the fit bit is outselling it!
afblangley said:
I've been wearing a Gear S3 daily for almost a year. I'm old enough to remember life before everyone carried a computer in their pocket. The Gear S3 restored a sense of freedom that I didn't realize had been lost, by allowing me to feel comfortable leaving the house without my cellphone. But I'm atypical, that's been mostly a novelty (despite the efforts of Samsung, LG and a few unknown Chinese watch makers putting full Android OS on watches) until now. Within a few months there will be millions of folks wearing phone watches.
Apple is rarely at the forefront of technology, they are excellent at the implementation of technology.. Samsung (as usual) had a lead and an opportunity to set the standard for smartwatches. But they lacked a clear strategy, the apps were never developed, and support was abysmal. Now Apple will deliver on the potential that the Gear S3 had.
Still, many folks haven't bought into the Apple ecosystem. So all is not lost yet. Samsung's best chance at this point it is to abandon Tizen and work on creating the best Android Wear watch available. It can still become a giant in this niche if applies its technology, manufacturing, and marketing expertise before yet another player overtakes them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol, kidding me bro? Tizen is the best OS for smartwatch
supac said:
lol, kidding me bro? Tizen is the best OS for smartwatch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I tried Android Wear for a good while and when I picked up my gear S3, that's when the game changed.
I love my watch. Don't spoil it with aw
I stopped at "Apple is rarely at the forefront of technology"
If you like Apple.. get the watch. If you like Gear get it. Or get both. There not the same
Zeblade said:
I stopped at "Apple is rarely at the forefront of technology"
If you like Apple.. get the watch. If you like Gear get it. Or get both. There not the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean if you have an iPhone get the iwatch.
As far as that statement, this is one of those trying to sound deep but not anything at all statements.
Apple does innovate or at least buys companies innovations. The credit is lost when they push things that have already existed as if they created. The thing is though that history doesn't often remember as much who invented something on a mobile device as much as they remember who perfected it and it's often where apple gets credit.
I mean hell Android would look like the palm treo if Google hadn't went back to the drawing board after the first apple iphone announcement.
I feel users need to stop thinking every thing needs to be the same to compete, I was so concerned about the lack of app support on tizen when I picked the 360 2nd gen over the gear S2.
Now that I have the gear S3 since release, I can say appreciate what a device is designed to do and everything the gear S3 does, it does well.
You CANNOT wear an Apple watch without owning an iPhone... this is a FACT. However, you can buy a Gear S3 without owning WHATEVER smart phone. An example was clear from a family member that wanted to give a birthday present to his 12yr old, she didn{t have a phone yet because her mom did not want her to have one, so the watch seemed like a great fit to be able to take calls, make calls and get text messages all on her wrist. Well that was the idea BUT all out the window since Apple REQUIRES you to have an iPhone to setup, an NO, setting up the watch with Mom's Phone or Dad's did not work because if a call comes in for them, she will get it on her watch as well.
Can safari run on apple watch? I know not everyone want a browser on such small screen, but the real reason im purchase gear s3 because of this! in fact im sending this post on my gear s3!
Here's what the Apple Watch has. Better health and fitness tracking. It has all the latest features that u can expect from a smartwatch. It is the smartest of all smartwatches. It can sense when ur working out, gives u daily goals, alerts u when ...
Ankusha5674 said:
Here's what the Apple Watch has. Better health and fitness tracking. It has all the latest features that u can expect from a smartwatch. It is the smartest of all smartwatches. It can sense when ur working out, gives u daily goals, alerts u when ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shame I'll never own an iPhone to experience it.
Ankusha5674 said:
Here's what the Apple Watch has. Better health and fitness tracking. It has all the latest features that u can expect from a smartwatch. It is the smartest of all smartwatches. It can sense when ur working out, gives u daily goals, alerts u when ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With all these features, no wonder it needs to be charged everyday. I can use my s3 almost 4 days on a single charge.
Related
Hey guys, I am pretty much here to express why the Gear 2 was such a good idea on paper but terrible in reality. The fact of the matter is the Gear 2 sucks. The apecs are great the screen is beauitful the design isnt half bad if you ask me. But the sheer lack of apps is what makes the smartwatch so gimmicky. Yes I can pick up calls but I mean we can do the same thing with a pair if $20 headphones; so why did i buy a $300 'smart'watch? Well, here us the answer. I though it was better than android wear. For some reason I thought "hey, samsjng makes great products!" Which in reality it does, but Tizen was not the way to go. The sheer lack of apps makes this app a brick if you ask me. Also the lack of compatability! (What were they thinking?!) I mean have you seen how fast android wear is developing?! Its absolutely insane. I guess this a call to action if anythjbg for Samsung to either open up tizen or port Android Wear to the Gear 2 or make it incredibly easy for devs to use Tizen because if it doesn't itll suffer the same fate as any other OS besides Android or Apple (not a threat LOL.)
Post your ideas below.
adr14ng said:
Hey guys, I am pretty much here to express why the Gear 2 was such a good idea on paper but terrible in reality. The fact of the matter is the Gear 2 sucks. The apecs are great the screen is beauitful the design isnt half bad if you ask me. But the sheer lack of apps is what makes the smartwatch so gimmicky. Yes I can pick up calls but I mean we can do the same thing with a pair if $20 headphones; so why did i buy a $300 'smart'watch? Well, here us the answer. I though it was better than android wear. For some reason I thought "hey, samsjng makes great products!" Which in reality it does, but Tizen was not the way to go. The sheer lack of apps makes this app a brick if you ask me. Also the lack of compatability! (What were they thinking?!) I mean have you seen how fast android wear is developing?! Its absolutely insane. I guess this a call to action if anythjbg for Samsung to either open up tizen or port Android Wear to the Gear 2 or make it incredibly easy for devs to use Tizen because if it doesn't itll suffer the same fate as any other OS besides Android or Apple (not a threat LOL.)
Post your ideas below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you, the potential is extraorinary with this watch, but Samsung is failing to use this potential. I really hope we get an android wear update some day.
Interesting but I just bought a Gear 2 after selling two Gear Neo and trying Android Wear and also a Sony - for me the simplicity of the Gear is just right.
It's a notification device not a replacement for your mobile.
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
Guys I know you might not want to here this but after coming full circle back, I setup my Gear today (this time the Brown/Gold), absolutely loving it.
The grass always seems greener ...
But guess it depends on expectation.
had the original gear then the sony but once wear came out I grabbed myself a lg g watch which i liked but missed the camera all the way through all of them. Picked up a gear 2 changed the strap for metal one and could not be happier Love the camera which is a major need for me and function wise its fine although I'll admit the notifications are not on par with my lg but I prefer a peep to a vibrate too
In short .... I love mine and trust me it turns heads when people notice it.
it might be good on paper but it depends on how someone use a device. I got a free Gear 2neo when I bought my Tab S 8.4, sold the neo and bought myself a gear 2 basically for the camera, and the love-love (no love-hate here for me) relationship began, installed fleksy keyboard and i never have to pull out my tablet when travelling (i commute to one of the most dangerous place in the world LOL) added a few needed apps by editing my tab S build prop so I have the latest gear app list. answering calls with this looks a bit odd but awesome to others, although you hate it when people eavesdrop, so got me-self a gear circle, paired everything up and im a happy man.
camera wise, 2mpxl is enough for those quick snaps, like when a cool lambo stops beside you and you want a quick snapshot.
in the end, it all boils down on how you use it, it may not have all the bells and whistle that other platform has, still.. worth every penny i invested in.
As an owner of the gear 2 neo I feel this device is nearly useless. Unfortunaltey, I couldn't choose the smartwatch as it was a present..
Right now I'm just using it to quickly check notifications, nothing else. Why? Because I hate Touchwiz so:
I don't use their email app -> can't use email feature on the gear
I don't use their sms app -> can't really reply to any message if not through SVoice (but that doesn't work that good)
Can't reply to most of the messages on whatsapp/telegram: maybe with flesky you can but since I'm not english mothertongue, I need to write into another language and I read it's a pain replying this way (if possible, haven't tried).
SVoice is SLOW: you ask for something, it spends too many seconds processing; try google now and you'll see the difference.
Now I'm using a touchwiz based custom rom on my GS4 to take advantage of the little things I can do (read notifications, check calendar, use svoice for replying to sms, check time!) but TW is sluggish and it's just not a good experience.
Also the total lack of any useful app for this smartwatch make it even more useless if possible.
Months have passed since the release of this product and there is no real development, so to me this is a dead product.
OP is partially right, if Samsung ports this to android wear we can still save something, otherwise Tizen isn't going anywhere and this watch will be just junk...
Kwbmm said:
As an owner of the gear 2 neo I feel this device is nearly useless. Unfortunaltey, I couldn't choose the smartwatch as it was a present..
Right now I'm just using it to quickly check notifications, nothing else. Why? Because I hate Touchwiz so:
I don't use their email app -> can't use email feature on the gear
I don't use their sms app -> can't really reply to any message if not through SVoice (but that doesn't work that good)
Can't reply to most of the messages on whatsapp/telegram: maybe with flesky you can but since I'm not english mothertongue, I need to write into another language and I read it's a pain replying this way (if possible, haven't tried).
SVoice is SLOW: you ask for something, it spends too many seconds processing; try google now and you'll see the difference.
Now I'm using a touchwiz based custom rom on my GS4 to take advantage of the little things I can do (read notifications, check calendar, use svoice for replying to sms, check time!) but TW is sluggish and it's just not a good experience.
Also the total lack of any useful app for this smartwatch make it even more useless if possible.
Months have passed since the release of this product and there is no real development, so to me this is a dead product.
OP is partially right, if Samsung ports this to android wear we can still save something, otherwise Tizen isn't going anywhere and this watch will be just junk...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think everything is relative. I love my Gear 2 Neo. I initially was not so sure (have also a pebble) - but now, after wearing it for a couple of days I will be selling the Pebble.
I love the amazing screen - with long battery life (do not want to charge daily - like android wear), the very fast notification; the good selection of useful apps (IR remote; remote view of phone camera; calendar; fitness apps; simple games; many many good watchfaces etc.); the ability to take a quick call on the watch itself...
Also, being able to send SMS messages directly from the watch is in many cases very handy.
I have shown the watch to a few colleagues of mine - now they also want one...
I understand you dont like it - I do. So do people I have showed mine to. ( I do not use Svoice - see no need for it; so I cannot comment on how good or bad it is)
Android Wear may have more apps - but the short battery life and lack of some features (use the watch as a phone, IR blaster etc.) - make Android Wear (for me) quite inferior to the Gear 2 Neo
If Samsung would port Android Wear to the gear 2 neo, so we can keep the features we have AND have the more apps: that would be of course best. But I would think that Android Wear would bring us the "feature" of needing to charge once per day - and that is not a feature I would want
adr14ng said:
Hey guys, I am pretty much here to express why the Gear 2 was such a good idea on paper but terrible in reality. The fact of the matter is the Gear 2 sucks. The apecs are great the screen is beauitful the design isnt half bad if you ask me. But the sheer lack of apps is what makes the smartwatch so gimmicky. Yes I can pick up calls but I mean we can do the same thing with a pair if $20 headphones; so why did i buy a $300 'smart'watch? Well, here us the answer. I though it was better than android wear. For some reason I thought "hey, samsjng makes great products!" Which in reality it does, but Tizen was not the way to go. The sheer lack of apps makes this app a brick if you ask me. Also the lack of compatability! (What were they thinking?!) I mean have you seen how fast android wear is developing?! Its absolutely insane. I guess this a call to action if anythjbg for Samsung to either open up tizen or port Android Wear to the Gear 2 or make it incredibly easy for devs to use Tizen because if it doesn't itll suffer the same fate as any other OS besides Android or Apple (not a threat LOL.)
Post your ideas below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can see the point you are making, you expected a james bond type watch and got somthing far from it. but your conclusion for it terrible is because of your expectations. I see i a lot of people saying lack of apps is a factor that gear 2 is no good, have you seen android wear it does not have any apps, it only works as an extension to your existing apps. the only thing good about the android wear is the OK Google hot word, and as much as it sounds and looks good in the videos it just doesnt work when you want it to.
Also what do you want from a smart watch, give me an example of an app that is so badly needed on the watch and it does not exist?
and finally its a watch you are not suppose to spend time on it its just there to make little things easier, you dont want to be engaged with it for more than 10-20s.
Also as far as my knowledge goes gear 2 fit perfectly in the middle of being a long lasting eink watch (pebble) with very little things and the android wear that has the "ok google" thing and always on display but last at max 2 days). my experience with gear 2 has been 5 days of use and i am very happy with it.
I see it as something of a conversation starter among friends and keeps my phone in the pocket to experience the real world more.
here are examples of some apps you might like,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gear-2/themes-apps/nownotifier-development-t2914013
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wearablewidgets
I agree with Wear, but it is still great for me!
I love my Gear 2. I do agree that Wear is probably better in many ways, and I may go for a Wear next time, but this is far from useless. I use it for:
Shows my next appointment when I look at the time - this is the most used and useful of all IMO.
Notifications of email and SMS
Possible reply to SMS (rare)
Control of media (often, and it avoids the need to take the phone out or keep it out when travelling)
Locking my phone if I leave or lose it
Finding my phone or watch when I lose them
To Do list (not that useful, sometimes as a short shopping list)
Voice memo - great to record fleeting ideas
Remote for TV in case I lose it
Turning off TVs in public (without being obvious) - I love that!
Simple Italian phrases with sound - a quick and easy reminder
answering the phone without getting the phone out and missing the call (all too often)
answering my phone from the pool - I love being able to do that!
I have tried a lot of other apps, all sorts of games and drawing/writing apps, but the screen is too small. I use the camera occasionally, but not for much. I like it for what it is and am more than happy with it. Battery life is amazing, too. I get the feeling that some people just expect too much from smart watches.
My first post here, and I'd like to express some frustrations with the Gear 2 as well. I got it as a xmas present from my wife and initially, I really liked it.
After a couple of updates though, it seems like Samsung has made this "smart" watch a bit less smart. I was once able to tell S-Voice not to "talk" after giving it a command, but now that's no longer an option and can only reduce the volume down to "1".
Instead of increasing the level of tweaks in the app, they've removed a lot of them (running it on an S5).
Every time there's a software update, some of the apps stop working and I have to re-install them.
Creating tasks on the watch works great, but I only get reminders on my phone.
Does anyone know if there are plans to continue developing the Gear app for this watch? It almost seems like they're abandoning it as far as I can tell.
OTOH, I realize these types of devices are still in their infancy, so I'm not expecting this to be perfect, but my point is that in the last four months that I've had this thing, it keeps getting less and less useful after every update!
LuiFranco said:
My first post here, and I'd like to express some frustrations with the Gear 2 as well. I got it as a xmas present from my wife and initially, I really liked it.
After a couple of updates though, it seems like Samsung has made this "smart" watch a bit less smart. I was once able to tell S-Voice not to "talk" after giving it a command, but now that's no longer an option and can only reduce the volume down to "1".
Instead of increasing the level of tweaks in the app, they've removed a lot of them (running it on an S5).
Every time there's a software update, some of the apps stop working and I have to re-install them.
Creating tasks on the watch works great, but I only get reminders on my phone.
Does anyone know if there are plans to continue developing the Gear app for this watch? It almost seems like they're abandoning it as far as I can tell.
OTOH, I realize these types of devices are still in their infancy, so I'm not expecting this to be perfect, but my point is that in the last four months that I've had this thing, it keeps getting less and less useful after every update!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately they moved to Android wear, and you're right in thinking they basically abandoned tizen development. My issue is that the three key "bonus" features for me were : speaker phone, ir remote, and camera and I can't find those things on any other device! Otherwise only looks seem to set apart the other watches
I agree .... I loved my gear 2 with all its camera goodness but had to move onto wear when I changed to a nexus 6 still miss her even though I would change my nexus for anything .....
Since this update I got a 360 and honestly. Wear does notifications better. They have the whole thread of messages and it doesn't get mixed up no matter what client you use. I'll admit I miss the tizen battery life. But I will say both are giving me issues with fitness tracking, the fit app is incompatible with my s5 and s health is always a mess if you ask me.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
I entirely agree with you.
adr14ng said:
Hey guys, I am pretty much here to express why the Gear 2 was such a good idea on paper but terrible in reality. The fact of the matter is the Gear 2 sucks. The apecs are great the screen is beauitful the design isnt half bad if you ask me. But the sheer lack of apps is what makes the smartwatch so gimmicky. Yes I can pick up calls but I mean we can do the same thing with a pair if $20 headphones; so why did i buy a $300 'smart'watch? Well, here us the answer. I though it was better than android wear. For some reason I thought "hey, samsjng makes great products!" Which in reality it does, but Tizen was not the way to go. The sheer lack of apps makes this app a brick if you ask me. Also the lack of compatability! (What were they thinking?!) I mean have you seen how fast android wear is developing?! Its absolutely insane. I guess this a call to action if anythjbg for Samsung to either open up tizen or port Android Wear to the Gear 2 or make it incredibly easy for devs to use Tizen because if it doesn't itll suffer the same fate as any other OS besides Android or Apple (not a threat LOL.)
Post your ideas below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am happy that you wrote it.
Worse thing i did with my life is probably buying this watch. After using it a few months I threw it away. Its sitting in its box. I bought a LG G Watch for 70€ (was on discount for 1 day) it has 5000 times more features you can use
kadeve said:
Worse thing i did with my life is probably buying this watch. After using it a few months I threw it away. Its sitting in its box. I bought a LG G Watch for 70€ (was on discount for 1 day) it has 5000 times more features you can use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"5000 times more features" bit of an exaggeration and purely your opinion, if that is the worse thing in your life then you must have a great one or sit at home doing nothing.
For the added advantages of android I saw none that made me want to change, major one was lack of camera.
jeffnz said:
"5000 times more features" bit of an exaggeration and purely your opinion, if that is the worse thing in your life then you must have a great one or sit at home doing nothing.
For the added advantages of android I saw none that made me want to change, major one was lack of camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
with all due respect jeffnz but I think you are an entry level user. Even the comparasion between Tizen and Android Wear is unfair. Tizen is stuck with poor SDK and HTML5 only support. If your user experience has been limited you wont see the difference because you are using the smartwatch just as a regular watch.
Android Wear has Tasker support and by using AutoApps you end up having infinite amount of features. But again I think you are an entry level user. I have a server and a raspberry pi that I use for my projects and home automation.
Just a few simple examples so you could maybe understand.
- When a video is played on computer lights go off, ambient light is set to match the video (ambilight) , Watch gets a Controller screen that has basic play/pause next fullscreen etc. buttons on low level brightness.
- When phone is charged , I get a notification and the smart wallplug cuts off the electricity that feeds the adapter. This is done by a raspberry pi with 433Mhz Receiver/transmitter kit ( which allows me control wall plugs individually)
check youtube for AutoWear app and you will understand better what you are missing.
I am an mechanical engineer, electrical engineer and a programmer. I am trying to make use of my skills at home as well as my professional life. Yeah android wear cant take a goddamn photo but I can give chain voice commands to start the freaking oven downstairs meanwhile the amblight is in disco mode...
kadeve said:
with all due respect jeffnz but I think you are an entry level user. Even the comparasion between Tizen and Android Wear is unfair. Tizen is stuck with poor SDK and HTML5 only support. If your user experience has been limited you wont see the difference because you are using the smartwatch just as a regular watch.
Android Wear has Tasker support and by using AutoApps you end up having infinite amount of features. But again I think you are an entry level user. I have a server and a raspberry pi that I use for my projects and home automation.
Just a few simple examples so you could maybe understand.
- When a video is played on computer lights go off, ambient light is set to match the video (ambilight) , Watch gets a Controller screen that has basic play/pause next fullscreen etc. buttons on low level brightness.
- When phone is charged , I get a notification and the smart wallplug cuts off the electricity that feeds the adapter. This is done by a raspberry pi with 433Mhz Receiver/transmitter kit ( which allows me control wall plugs individually)
check youtube for AutoWear app and you will understand better what you are missing.
I am an mechanical engineer, electrical engineer and a programmer. I am trying to make use of my skills at home as well as my professional life. Yeah android wear cant take a goddamn photo but I can give chain voice commands to start the freaking oven downstairs meanwhile the amblight is in disco mode...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for telling me all about yourself but isn't necessary as I stand by what I said it is purely your opinion and to you it may be 5000 times better in your mind but to most a gross exaggeration.
Also please don't try and guess what i am as you do not know me and it is clouding your judgement ven if you prefix your post with "all due respect" which is usually the opposite.
oh and I know tasker but just because you cuan run on Android wear doesn't mean it is a great reason to dis Tizen, once again that is the way you use your watch not all will do that. One size does not fit all
I recently bought the Gear S2 after using my Gear 2 Neo daily for almost a year.
I used my Neo for:
- Occasionally taking calls via Bluetooth when my hands were otherwise occupied (e.g. carrying stuff).
- Occasionally controlling the TV via IR blaster
- Tracking my sleep habits, how much I was getting and how much tossing/turning I did that night
- Timekeeping
- Notifications
For reasons I can't really fathom, the Gear S2 only does the latter 2. I can't really understand why Samsung would remove those features from their flagship smartwatch line. What's more, I REALLY can't understand why this watch is getting ABSOLUTELY RAVE reviews across the board. It's almost like people didn't know the Gear 2 Neo even existed.
I guess it has something to do with the fact that sleep tracking, IR device control, and accepting phone calls via bluetooth are things MOST watches are incapable of for various reasons, so it's not much of a drawback from a reviewer's standpoint when those features are removed. As someone coming from the Neo to the S2, I have a hard time getting past the fact that I have an older, cheaper device that is far more capable sitting in a drawer unused. :/
Don't get me wrong, though. What the S2 can do it does do very well. The screen is gorgeous. The rotating bezel is brilliant. This version of Tizen is lightning fast and very intuitive. The "always on" feature is great, and notifications are handled much better. But I can't really escape the feeling that, while the Neo was a smartwatch, the S2 is just a $300 watch that can send text messages and receive email.
Am I missing something here?
Oh, and for some reason I can't get mine to vibrate when text messages are received. Calls only.
I sold my lovely Gear 2 in readiness for the S2 thinking it would finally get better app support and a better UI on top of the camera and ability to make and receive calls.
What a disappointment, apps are worse or as bad as the prior 3 watches, no camera or calling !!!
If you get a 3g model then it will have a speaker...therefore allowing for calls over bluetooth even if you don't have a sim card for the watch. On the sport models there is no speaker though. For the other functions like ir blaster, I guess they figured people don't use it as much and they had to cut something out to include new things like a different form factor, NFC, etc. Not defending, just saying they evolved to something else. Personally, I love my original gear s which basically has everything but the new round size of the S2.
Yeah it's pretty crazy our Gear 2's are the still the most capable smartwatches on the market.
Tends to happen when you strap a phone on your wrist instead of a watch.
JazzMac251 said:
...I have a hard time getting past the fact that I have an older, cheaper device that is far more capable sitting in a drawer unused. :/
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I don't understand. You say you have a more capable watch sitting in the drawer unused, yet you recently bought a new S2 that is less capable and you are using it. Why not return the S2, use your Neo and save $300 bucks. Just because the S2 is out now, doesn't mean that your Neo can't be used again.
I had a Moto 360 V1 and Gear Fit, I returned both of them after a while because I didn't like them for one reason or another. No point in keeping unused depreciating assets like phones and wearables IMO, it's not like a classic Bugatti or classic Rolex that you can pass on or will gain value.
As far as the S2 is concerned, I think it will outsell all other Gear watches combined easily. The general public just doesn't want the whole entire kitchen sink in their watches. This is evident by previously poor Gear sales. Sure, they will lose some previous Gear customers, but they are gaining many more. That's the way business works unfortunately, maximum unit sales for maximum profits. I will say though that the BT version of the S2 really needs a speaker and Google voice recognition.
supersoulfly said:
Tends to happen when you strap a phone on your wrist instead of a watch.
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Ha, you cannot stop the inevitable. That point that most of the posters in this thread are making, is that Samsung DROPPED a lot of features and that didn't go over well with a segment of Samsung smartwatch users. I was in the thread where they were saying the S2 was selling out in Korea.. Wow, I figured that was just plain sales talk or there must be users that don't care about the PAST features that were on past Galaxy Gear Watches. Gear 2 was nice, but I even went for the Gear S, I am fully independent of my Note 4 if I choose to be.. They have put the S2 out there without a speaker, and they downsized it..
People are not talking against the S2 just to be talking, that's for sure..
Back to your comment, why don't Samsung just make a PLAIN WATCH, and leave all Tizen, email, and small tech stuff that you can do on the S2 alone?
Get the S2 3g model if you want an independent experience. (why do people keep acting like this model doesn't exist and doesn't address most of the complaints prior S users have?)
As far as making a plain watch? I might consider wearing that before the monstrosities Samsung has put out before. Gear 2 and Gear S, lots of cool tech, but the only place I'd be seen wearing one is if I went to a Star Trek convention.
This thread reminds me of a book I read years back: "Crossing the Chasm." It's about the challenge technology companies have selling to different kinds of customers: technology enthusiastic early adopters vs. the pragmatic broader market. According to the author, Geoffrey Moore, the former are an important way to launch an product in a new space, but represent a very small market. The latter are a much larger market but are not going to buy a product until it reaches a level of maturity, refinement, and clarity of purpose.
I usually consider myself an early adopter, but I gotta say, I really like the S2, but I had no interest whatsoever in the Gear 2 or Gear S. But for those who like that sort of product, hopefully there will continue to be options in future.
I get that there's a lot of "can't please everyone" talk going on here, but here's why the removal of these features is kind of nuts to me:
The single driving complaint the public has with this type of wearable technology is that it's pointless. The iPad and the iPhone were brilliant because they were able to fill a niche solving problems in people's lives that they didn't know existed. People argue that the physical form-factor limitations inherent with smartwatches makes them redundant at best and extravagantly wasteful at worst. The problem is that this characterization is largely correct.
For smartwatches to break out of that mold, I think the key is for them to be as Swiss-army-knife as possible. Can't find the remote, got it. Can't answer call because its impractical (hands full, can't find phone, doing chores, etc), got it. Would like to evaluate sleep habits, got it. Need to make NFC payment, got it. Want to track your heart rate, got it. The second you start dumping features is the second you move the device even more into the realm of "$300+ dollar device to check your email". The rotating bezel is super cool, but the primary concern people have with smartwatches is that they're pointless, not that they need to be easy to use.
The point I was trying to make is that I was one of the few people for whom Samsung successfully created a product that actually DID fill a unique little niche in my life. As they're trying to expand their product base, it seems the last thing they would want to do is create a flagship device that has absolutely 0 appeal to someone that is already super into smartwatches anyway.
This is actually the first time I've ever upgraded a piece of technology to find it woefully inadequate to what I already had. As a technophile, that's a really strange concept to me. The technology in device is great - I love the hardware, the software, and the implementation. Unfortunately, this device really is a $350 way to read text messages on your wrist and that's all it is, which is why I'll be returning it ASAP.
Also, I have to say, it kinda looks feminine. I much prefer the squared off look of the Gear 2. That's just personal preference, though.
JazzMac251 said:
I get that there's a lot of "can't please everyone" talk going on here, but here's why the removal of these features is kind of nuts to me:
The single driving complaint the public has with this type of wearable technology is that it's pointless. The iPad and the iPhone were brilliant because they were able to fill a niche solving problems in people's lives that they didn't know existed. People argue that the physical form-factor limitations inherent with smartwatches makes them redundant at best and extravagantly wasteful at worst. The problem is that this characterization is largely correct.
For smartwatches to break out of that mold, I think the key is for them to be as Swiss-army-knife as possible. Can't find the remote, got it. Can't answer call because its impractical (hands full, can't find phone, doing chores, etc), got it. Would like to evaluate sleep habits, got it. Need to make NFC payment, got it. Want to track your heart rate, got it. The second you start dumping features is the second you move the device even more into the realm of "$300+ dollar device to check your email". The rotating bezel is super cool, but the primary concern people have with smartwatches is that they're pointless, not that they need to be easy to use.
The point I was trying to make is that I was one of the few people for whom Samsung successfully created a product that actually DID fill a unique little niche in my life. As they're trying to expand their product base, it seems the last thing they would want to do is create a flagship device that has absolutely 0 appeal to someone that is already super into smartwatches anyway.
This is actually the first time I've ever upgraded a piece of technology to find it woefully inadequate to what I already had. As a technophile, that's a really strange concept to me. The technology in device is great - I love the hardware, the software, and the implementation. Unfortunately, this device really is a $350 way to read text messages on your wrist and that's all it is, which is why I'll be returning it ASAP.
Also, I have to say, it kinda looks feminine. I much prefer the squared off look of the Gear 2. That's just personal preference, though.
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Agree with everything you wrote except for the part where you said you think the watch looks kinda feminine. ?
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supersoulfly said:
Get the S2 3g model if you want an independent experience. (why do people keep acting like this model doesn't exist and doesn't address most of the complaints prior S users have?)
As far as making a plain watch? I might consider wearing that before the monstrosities Samsung has put out before. Gear 2 and Gear S, lots of cool tech, but the only place I'd be seen wearing one is if I went to a Star Trek convention.
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, Gotta give the Star Wars Crack was a good one.
However, if the S2 was so much a winner, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Instead we all would be breaking or necks to get one. As you can see that is not the case. A lot of users that WOULD be breaking their necks to get on are instead turned off by the new design and features.
You can't ignore that, just read some of the comments.
Since I am a Samsung Fanboy, I will wait for the S3 and Note and see what happens!
I am a Star Wars fan, now I'm addicted to Guardians Of The Galaxy.
I'll gladly sale my gear 2 neo to anyone reading this.
IR blaster went away on phones and watch, just didn't make the cut for usability. I played with ir for the first day to show off then never used it again myself.
Camera in a watch was another one. Apple watch will sale a **** ton without these features for more money. It's not needed by enough people.
Speaker, u just bought the wrong model, but they should have put it in all models. I agree on that part.
Other problems are app issues and tizen is always gonna behind google wear, they are trying to swim upstream and I'm afraid they will never catchup in shear amount of apps.
The 3G model is not coming to all markets the UK being one.
Samsung is just a Apple sheep soon as the Apple watch fan boys like the whole making and taking calls Samsung will do the mother of U turn and the S3 gear will be out this time next year if not earlier.
My Gear 2 was great battery and did the notification basics and handy calling features but the lack of apps was a killer and here we are again the same crap this time 1000 apps at launch.
I think the Neo was a massively underrated device and I'll be keeping mine.
That said, the additional functionality versus the S2 were largely novelty items for me... it's core functions of time, notifications and step tracking were all I used on a daily basis. I can understand the frustration if you used these regularly.
The form factor (s2 is a beautiful watch in its own right) and the bezel navigation are worth the price of admission IMO.
I agree with JazzMac about the S2. I have had the original "Galaxy Gear", Gear 2, Gear S, and then picked up a Gear S2. After 2 days I returned it. Loved the round form factor and rotating bezel, but realized I wanted at least the receive & talk capability on the watch. I would wait for the 3G version. I have had the 3G version for about 3 weeks now and absolutely love it. Does almost everything I want, has great battery life, and I enjoy the freedom of leaving my phone for runs and other quick trips and still being connected.
I have to admit im a big samsung fan. Got the note edge and think it still is the greatest handset ever made (have refused to upgrade as a result). But the approach samsung took with it was heartbreaking - seemingly releasing it and seeing if third parties made it sink or swim. Safe to say i think it sunk and functionality never moved on much from launch day. Have a Gear2 Neo - really not much happened post launch either from Samsung or third party devs.
3+ months on from launch of the S2 it's starting to feel eerily similar. We've had a firmware update that delivered a few watch faces and a notification dot and they're talking about a payment system some time next year. The Samsung App Store environment leaves a lot to be desired itself, let alone much of the content. Seems samsung doesnt get a lot of love from big name apps/developers (eg - no official facebook app on a tizen watch, ever?) for its quirky and unique hardware, should they be doing more themselves? I'd have thought they'd want to back Tizen as hard as they could, given Android Wear's foothold and Apple's ability to flex its strength in the market. The advertising blitz in my home city has been pretty remarkable.
Dont get me wrong, i love the watch and what it does out of the box - but is it starting to feel again like a class leading device is struggling to reach its full potential? Perhaps this is really all a smart watch will ever do, or really needs to do.
Couldn't agree more!! I have had several Samsung products. 2 -Tv, 2 - tablets, 2 - watches, note 2, 3, and 4. Tizen has been this way for a while, and Samsung loves selling you an item more than maintaining it with updates. My poor galaxy note 8 languishes with no updates. If you buy Samsung products you just have to know what you buy is pretty much the way it's going to be for they will be moving on to selling newer tech and forgetting about you and your last month's tech..
Rsmin said:
Couldn't agree more!! I have had several Samsung products. 2 -Tv, 2 - tablets, 2 - watches, note 2, 3, and 4. Tizen has been this way for a while, and Samsung loves selling you an item more than maintaining it with updates. My poor galaxy note 8 languishes with no updates. If you buy Samsung products you just have to know what you buy is pretty much the way it's going to be for they will be moving on to selling newer tech and forgetting about you and your last month's tech..
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Agreed. Samsung makes great products but what you get at purchase is basically what you get, period. Anything new afterwards, if anything, is a bonus...unfortunately.
I pretty much agree with your statements so far. Samsung is a huge global institution making everything from memory chips to washing machines. Each individual product is a tiny piece of their overall efforts, and so they're basic strategy is to make al kinds of stuff and see what sells. They don't have the control-freak perfectionist attitude of Apple. (Apple makes sure things work smoothly, and locks them down -- the first iphone had no apps whatsoever for quite a while).
But the Gear S2 is a runaway success compared to earlier Samsung smart watches, and there has been some action from small developers (and a few large ones: Uber, Ebay) since launch. And smartwatches in general are still in the early adopter phase; even many Apple fans say the iwatch is more a toy and/or fashion statement than a must-have device so far. So I'm not giving up hope for some interesting development just yet. If Samsung pay comes out and starts to be successful and useful, that could mean something.
Tstreete, I hope you are right..
tstreete said:
But the Gear S2 is a runaway success compared to earlier Samsung smart watches
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Definitely seems to have struck a chord where other products have failed to. My non-techy friends even recognise the device, perhaps due to it being advertised on every bus stop in our city.
At any rate it seems I have been proven wrong with the release of the Gear Watch Designer application. Certainly an instance where im happy to be made a fool of lol.
Hi,
I finally got a gear S2 classic today and loving it so far except the lack of apps. I'm just wondering if it will ever take off or are app developers too interested in Android wear and apple watch to not want to put time into developing for the S2? Seems a shame because there is so much potential with the use of the bezel and I'd love to have apps like Shazam and some kind of LiFX smart bulb control as well but no one seems to be developing for it. Sadly I can't code to save my life else I would do it but would like to see more big name devs making apps for the S2.
Do you guys reckon it'll eventually catch up closer to android wear and the apple watch?
You have no idea how much I wish it did. I don't understand why...I had the first gear and the second. I sold them because of lack of apps, i told myself next time its android wear, then the S2 was announced and it was way better looking than anything else, and yet, we still lack support from official apps. The problem are not the devs themselves, its the major companies. Its also the fact that Apple has some many non-tech people that use their products and buy whatever they sell with their mouths wide open that the market is easier for anybody coding. If you ask me, the apple watch is a disaster, it looks old fashion, it lacks any feature that makes it envious from others, it barely is able to make it though the day, and it lags. And yet, it outsold any other MUCH better watch.
For some reason, the market just doesn't respond to Samsungs efforts in wearables. They have always had watches that were different, they had a camera, a IR blaster, a 3G/4G standalone version, a curved version, now a rotating bezel... Is it Tizen? Is it the lack of a good SDK? Or not enough to gain from spending money to code an app? All i've learned from the past years smartwatches is they are still a very primitive accessory, it just doesn't offer too much to anybody...Apple, Google, or Pebble, it simply is an extension of the smartphone and until it can do something different, I wont see any advancement. I love my S2, but I'm always an early adopter, a tech lover, and most people that wear smartwatches some at some level similar. I guess a watch is just not as exiting as a VR headset, which by the way is absolutely mindblowing and I have no doubt a lot of people will switch from who ever to Samsung until other companies start to play catch up. until them, Samsung have a HUGE head start and they better make something of it
It's a shame Samsungs watches have never had a lot of dev support. I've only owned a Sony Smart watch first gen (MN2) which while not the best looking watch, it still had a pretty good app selection though that said not as much as the S2 though it did have a app for controlling sphero (an RC ball) by tilting the watch, an app I can't get on the S2.
I've been talking to the dev who made TaskS2 and a big problem according to him is that Samsung have bad API documentation and devs have to know Java. Where as android wear uses similar coding to Android phones and I'll assume the apple watch is the same. I'm hoping it'll take off when Samsung make it iphone compatible but doubt it'll have many features except to have notifications. If samsung has any sense they'll make sure it works 100% with non samsung androids and iphones making it more appealing to different people. There is so much potential in the bezel though to create some pretty cool apps that use it but so far doesn't seem like it's going to get much dev support.
I also feel that the gear store is a let down. Doesn't feel as well polished as the Iphone app store or Google play and I reckon if Samsung would let gear S2 apps be downloaded from the play store it might receive more attention. They should also recode tizen so it's easier for devs to make apps. I hope Samsung doesn't let the S2 go under like previous Samsung watches that too had potential but Samsung didn't seem to do everything to really kick it off.
If samsung watches pick up market share then it will be more lucrative for devs. Otherwise devs will continue to focus on apple and, to a lesser extent, android wear. People just aren't seeing a need for smartwatches (because currently there really isn't one). As hardware and functionality improve this could change, but smartwatches in general are not yet really generating enough public interest to warrant more devs jumping on board. I love my Gear S2 classic, but mostly for the look and customization options, not because of the functionality or because I "need" to have it. My phone is always with me anyways, and is much easier for browsing, texting, emails, etc. As a watch though my Classic is unique
Hi
I got a Huawei watch, but not functioning so good anymore.. Been rough on it. How is the gear s3 with apps, overall features and how useful are they really?
Would you buy the gear s3 again or would you go for a android wear?
What are some pros and cons?
Anything you can tell me, so I can make a proper decision.
Thanks in advance
Right answer -depends.
Heres a couple of things putting it before you.
The frontier and classic do come closest to a normal watch. Design, hardware - really great. I bet the hardware is future proof enough. Also, from what i have read- the gear s3 has a 64 bit processor- probably first of its kind in a wearable tech device.
Now software- is designed good. The bezel navigation is great. But the lack of apps is really bugging me. This ecosystem has been in market for a while, but still lacks official apps like google maps ( i miss it so much).
Battery life- u cant beat it, unless u in the pebble universe.
Really the lack of apps drives me crazy.
Other than that- lets say u wanna use it as a basic smart watch for notifications and have something on wrist that looks close to a traditional watch- this is the one.
If you really need apps and were depending on em on the Huawei watch, u will probably be disappointed. Sometimes i wonder why samsung had to reinvent the wheel. I mean i have heard good things coming up in the Android wear 2.0. Or at least, samsung who has plenty resources, at least has build a solid ecosystem tizen, allocate enough resources etc. Samsung ya hear?
Forgot to add, despite all the above points, the gear s3 is one of the most sought after watch recently. Like for real, this thing was out of stock and pretty hard to get for a month. Now it has started appearing in stock. If you had bought the watch for the sale price of 299 during holidays or preorder- i think it is okay. If you have to pay 349, i would think a coupla times. Because when u use it on a daily basis, its not the 64 bit chip or hardware or bezel that matters most, the functionality and how useful it is that matters. I come from an Apple watch- and i am 100% on the side they are over priced for what they can do. But at least they have a platform thats solid. Tizen, not so. And who knows whats the future of tizen. I mean the gear s2 has been here for a while and the gear s3 is a big time hit, yet you dont see much app development.
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