GearS2
Latest
Samsung's Gear watches will help with senior care and employee safety
Samsung is taking on the world of work via three new integrations with its Gear smartwatches. SoloProtect uses the Samsung Gear S3 to keep tabs on people who work alone, like real estate agents and home healthcare workers, while Reemo integrates with the Gear S3 and S2 to monitor the health of seniors in care facilities. Ability Wearables, along with Samsung's Gear Fit 2 and S3 devices, helps keep track of people who work long shifts, like truck drivers, construction employees and healthcare workers. Samsung is spotlighting these and a VR solution for fitness centers at the Mobile World Congress Americas conference in San Francisco this week.
Samsung's in-house OS is a security nightmare
Samsung's Tizen platform might give the company the technological independence it wouldn't have if it stuck to outside software like Android, but it's apparently a security disaster. Researcher Amihai Neiderman tells Motherboard he has discovered 40 unpatched vulnerabilities in Samsung's operating system, exposing many of its smartphones, smartwatches and TVs to remote attacks. Reportedly, it's the "worst code" the expert has "ever seen" -- it was designed by a team that had no real understanding of security concepts, and makes mistakes that virtually anyone else would avoid.
Samsung's smartwatch lineup now works with your iPhone
Did you sigh wistfully at Samsung's Gear S3, knowing you couldn't use it because you have an iPhone? Relax. Samsung has launched new Gear S and Gear Fit apps that bring iOS compatibility to all of its current wrist-worn devices, including the Gear S3 (both Classic and Frontier), the Gear S2 and the Gear Fit 2. You won't see all the integration you would on an Android phone (let alone a Samsung phone), but you can receive notifications, manage apps and track your S Health data. Hardware features should work, too, so you can expect GPS and environmental sensors to play a part.
Smartwatch shipments dropped ahead of new models
The smartwatch market isn't quite as red-hot as it looked in recent months. IDC estimates that smartwatch shipments fell by just shy of 52 percent year-over-year in the third quarter of 2016, with the biggest names often being the hardest hit. Apple was still the top dog, but its shipments fell almost 72 percent to 1.1 million. Samsung's shipments were virtually flat, while Lenovo and Pebble saw their unit numbers drop sharply. Interestingly, the only company in the top five to see a big surge was Garmin -- its shipments more than tripled to 600,000. Should the industry be worried? Not necessarily.
Samsung's de Grisogono Gear S2 isn't made for peasant wrists
Baselworld is going down in Switzerland this week, which means you can expect a ton of smartwatch news. We've already seen a few announcements, and today Samsung revealed a super fancy version of its Gear S2. The company teamed up with jewelry and watchmaker de Grisogono for a "fashion collaboration" limited-edition smartwatch covered in gold and jewels. More specifically, the 41mm device features rose gold, over 100 black and white diamonds and a black galuchat band.
Samsung Galaxy S7 buyers can claim their free Gear VR
When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge smartphones, it offered a pretty nice enticement to pre-order buyers: A free Galaxy Gear VR headset and six-game bundle worth $150. If you plunked your money down or are planning to do so before March 18th, you can now claim your goodies through a new portal on Samsung's website. All you need to do is select the carrier or retailer you bought it from and follow the instructions. Verizon buyers can pick a Gear S2 smartwatch valued at $300 instead, while T-Mobile users get a free year of Netflix on top of the Gear VR, a $120 perk.
Samsung Gear S2 Classic with 3G reaches US carriers
You don't have to settle for plain Jane looks just to get a cellular-equipped Samsung Gear S2 in the US. Both AT&T and Verizon have started taking pre-orders for a 3G version of the Gear S2 Classic, which should you keep you online while preserving that traditional watch look. On AT&T, it'll cost you $17.50 per month on a 20-month installment plan ($350 total) when the smartwatch arrives on March 11th; you can also use NumberSync to make sure you get calls from your regular phone number. At Verizon, you're paying either $400 up front or $350 if you sign a 2-year deal. Neither option is cheap (especially when this doesn't include the monthly data plan), but they may be your best choice if you want a fairly posh wearable that stays online when your Galaxy S stays home.
Samsung's next smartwatch comes with an e-SIM
Samsung will release a version of its 3G-connected Gear S2 that ditches the traditional SIM card in favor of an electronic one. It'll be the first mainstream connected wearable that ditches the old technology in favor of its all-digital replacement. The move will help the device save some space, since even a nano-SIM slot requires real estate that could otherwise be used for the battery. The device will land in stores at some point in March, and has the blessing of the GSMA and various global carriers that support the standard.
Samsung's Gear S2 smartwatch will support iOS this year
Samsung will bring iOS support to its Gear S2 smartwatches this year, the company announced at CES today. Samsung Electronics America Vice President of Product Marketing Alanna Cotton delivered the news as documented in our liveblog: "Today, we're excited to share that we will be bringing Gear S2 to iOS later this year!" That's all the information we received on the iOS Gear S2 front, but it's a good place to start.
Samsung is releasing gold and platinum versions of its Gear S2 watch
Samsung's Gear S2 was surprisingly one of the best smartwatches we've tried so far. It may run Tizen, but it also has a wonderful interface thanks to the spinning bezel around the watch face. Now, the company is classing up the joint a bit with a new pair of Gear S2 watches that swap out the standard stainless steel case and elastomer or leather bands for a design that's significantly more upmarket. One comes in 18-karat rose gold with an ivory leather band while the other model features a platinum case with a black leather band.
iHeartRadio brings its internet radio stations to Apple TV
Earlier this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook proclaimed that TV's future meant more apps. That's certainly the case for Cupertino's streaming device, and today the gadget got one more piece of software. iHeartRadio now streams radio and other music content to the set-top box, offering another option for bringing some audio into your living room. The internet radio app also streams to Play-Fi-enabled speakers, too. With the Play-Fi app on both iOS and Android, you can beam high-quality lossless audio and control the stations with your phone or tablet.
Samsung Pay won't arrive on the Gear S2 until next year
If you were hoping to pay for a few Christmas presents with your new Samsung Gear S2, you'll have to wait until next year. After pledging to deliver Samsung Pay to its latest smart watch in November, the company now says the mobile payments won't arrive on the NFC-equipped wearable until 2016. News of the delay comes from the US Samsung Mobile Twitter account in response to a customer looking for more information.
AT&T offers its first smartwatches that share your phone number
If you've wanted a smartwatch that could take its own calls without having to use a separate phone number, relief is in sight... as long as you're willing to subscribe to AT&T, anyway. The carrier has revealed that it will start taking orders for its first two NumberSync-capable smartwatches, the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition (above) and Samsung Gear S2, on November 6th. The LTE-equipped LG watch will ship first, arriving in stores on November 13th for either $15 per month (on a 20-month plan) or $200 on a contract. The 3G-based Gear S2 will cost you the same amount when it arrives a week later, on November 20th. You'll still have to tack on $10 per month to your shared data plan to get either watch online, but that could be worth it if you no longer have to worry about missing conversations when you leave your phone at home.
Samsung's Gear S2 smartwatch arrives in the UK on November 12th
The Gear S2 is one of Samsung's best smartwatches to date, combining a sleek design and a unique rotating bezel for navigation. The Tizen timepiece has its flaws -- the app selection is a little sparse, for instance -- but it's an intriguing device that's now headed for the UK. From November 12th you can pick up the standard model for £249, which comes with a dark grey or silver case. Alternatively, you can pay an extra £50 for the snazzier Gear S2 Classic, which features a notched bezel and a dressier leather strap. For comparison, the second-gen Moto 360 starts from £229 and the Apple Watch Sport begins at £299. If you're already sold, you can pre-order it online from October 29th -- and if you're unsure how it'll look on your wrist, you can always try it on using augmented reality.
Samsung app gives you a virtual Gear S2 try-on
You ideally get to try on a smartwatch before you buy it, but that's seldom easy -- you can't exactly rip a store's security device off and strap on the watch for a minute. Samsung thinks it can give you the next-closest thing, though. It recently released an experience app for Android that not only gives you a feel for the Gear S2's interface and apps, but includes an augmented reality view that shows what the circular smartwatch looks like on your wrist. You can even share a snapshot to get a second opinion. It's still not going to be the same as feeling steel on skin, but you'll at least know whether or not you're making a fashion faux pas.
Gear S2 review: Samsung's best smartwatch is still a work in progress
Samsung is learning. After a string of smartwatches that failed to became bestsellers, the Korean company decided to reshape its vision of wearables -- and I mean literally reshape. Its latest, the Gear S2, is a Tizen-powered watch that finally has a round screen and finally works with phones that Samsung didn't make. More importantly, the company dreamed up a circular interface with a neat rotating bezel that doesn't rely as heavily on taps and swipes as its competitors. What we ultimately get in the Gear S2 isn't a perfect smartwatch -- far from it -- but a collection of good ideas that can't quite make up for the shortcomings of its software platform.
Samsung's Gear S2 smartwatch with 3G will cost you $50 more
If you've been itchin' to get your hands on the cellular version of Samsung's Tizen smartwatch and its fancy rotating bezel, you'll soon be in luck. Both T-Mobile and Verizon announced pricing and availability for the Gear S2 with 3G today. On T-Mobile, you can add the wearable to your plan for $5/month while the watch itself will set you back $360 or $15 on a monthly payment plan. There isn't a pre-order option, but it'll hit the Big Magenta's stores and website on November 15th. Verizon will also require you to pay an extra $5 a month to add the Gear S2 to your account, but it's offering the gadget for $350 or $300 if you opt for a two-year contract. You're able to pre-order from Verizon, starting today, before it goes on sale November 6th. T-Mobile and Verizon will both carry dark grey and silver models, so you'll have two color options to choose from should you decide to splurge for one. AT&T is expected to announce availability for the Gear S2 as well, but hasn't revealed those details just yet.
Samsung's Gear S2 smartwatch arrives in the US October 2nd
After a number of teases, Samsung finally revealed its Tizen-driven Gear S2 smartwatch earlier this month at IFA. If you've been champing at the bit to purchase one, you'll soon have the chance to do so. The wearable goes on sale this Friday, October 2nd in the US. When it does, you can expect to nab one from Amazon, Best Buy and Macy's in addition to Samsung's own online store. If you're in need of a refresher, there's two models to choose from, the Gear S2 and the Gear S2 Classic, which are priced at $300 and $350, respectively. The difference? The Classic sports a classier look in a smaller size with a black leather strap and a bit more detail around that rotating bezel. If you're willing to hold out for the 3G version, it's set to arrive "later this fall" on AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.
Samsung finally has an elegant smartwatch in the Gear S2
Few companies have churned out as many different smartwatches as Samsung, so it's little surprise the company is showing off a new one -- the Gear S2 -- at IFA. What is a surprise, though, is how much more elegant, more polished the S2 feels compared to just about all of Samsung's previous attempts. After years of seemingly blind iteration (and just a little bit of hands-on time), Samsung finally seems to have a stylish, if somewhat controversial smartwatch on its hands.
Samsung's Gear S2 is a classy Tizen watch with a rotating bezel
Remember that time Samsung teased a new smartwatch after unveiling some phones we knew were coming? You should! This was seriously only two weeks ago, guys. Anyway, Samsung is finally talking specifics about the watch -- known as the Gear S2 -- ahead of the murky mobile maelstrom brewing in Berlin right now. First off, it's actually even smaller than we thought it would be. Earlier leaks pointed to a round smartwatch with a 1.65-inch screen running at 360 x 360 -- turns out the resolution was right, but the Gear S2's screen is only 1.2 inches across.
