Galaxy watch

[Bigjake93]

Hey guys I'm looking into getting a galaxy watch for my now 3 and was wanting to know if I were to get one can I use it on other phones when I get a new one I don't want to spend that kinda money every time I get a new phone.

 

[motoracer1486]

Hey guys I'm looking into getting a galaxy watch for my now 3 and was wanting to know if I were to get one can I use it on other phones when I get a new one I don't want to spend that kinda money every time I get a new phone.

As long as you purchase a compatible phone, you can switch devices as much as you want - no need to purchase a new watch every time.

 

[svensett]

Are you looking at the original Gear or the Gear 2? Not sure about the original, but the Gear 2 only works with Samsung Galaxy phones. It won't work with Motorola, LG, HTC, etc. unless Samsung decides to play nice with other Androids...

 

[clitrenta]

Are you looking at the original Gear or the Gear 2? Not sure about the original, but the Gear 2 only works with Samsung Galaxy phones. It won't work with Motorola, LG, HTC, etc. unless Samsung decides to play nice with other Androids...

It's the same for the original Gear as well and if I recall, it does not include the original Note. I believe there is a compatability list on Samsungs web site.

 

[Strings]

I'm actually getting tempted to pick up a used non-Samsung phone, and see if Gear Manager can be sideloaded to give compatability...

 

[Damenc]

I just bought the Galaxy Gear but looking at the Gear 2 Neo now, I could careless about the camera, I want to sleekness and the better waterproofing. Still debating

 

[Bigjake93]

I appreciate it guys I love my note and Samsung in general but just don't know if I want to buy a $200+ watch and it not be able to be compatible with a new Samsung note later on.

 

[Strings]

At a guess, the Galaxy Gear will continue to be supported on later phones. Although Samsung going to Tizen on the Gear 2 makes that only a guess based on previous tech (pretty much all Bluetooth add ons will work with newer phones IME)

 

[svensett]

I'm actually getting tempted to pick up a used non-Samsung phone, and see if Gear Manager can be sideloaded to give compatability...

Looks like someone posted how to do it for the original Gear on XDA: My Nexus 5 with KITKAT 4.4.2 and GEAR(null_17 ROM) - xda-developers. No word on if it will work for Gear 2, Neo, or Fit though.

ETA: Found this youtube vid on Reddit showing the Fit working with an HTC One M8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLybpJoG6mU by sideloading...

 

[virodeath]

I have the Gear Neo I use with my Galaxy Note 3. These are the things I notice right away.

- Battery life = 3 days (no apps only clock)
- Bluetooth is 1/4 of the range the Pebble has
- Very, very limited apps and ability to customize the appearance
- No Pandora control interface, only music stored on your phone
- You have to setup all your email accounts up a second time in the Gear software, it won't just read it from the phone.
- Vibration on it's strongest setting is a joke, you can hardly tell it is vibrating.

On the plus side

- The screen is extremely sharp and the colors are beautiful
- Very sleek looking exterior and the band is actually acceptable, doesn't look uber cheap
- pretty responsive
- good audio clarity and mic sensitivity when taking a call through it


That's what I know about it atm.. Really needs more developer love, apps available are like 9 and are pretty weak.

If I wasn't one of those early adopters on everything I would wait a few months and see what the developers do because right now it is borderline returnable.

Viro

 

[Strings]

I made that point somewhere on here: Samsung needs to open things up for devs, or this will remain a fairly niche device

Motorola has already released dev materials for the 360: if they price it reasonably (at or below the $300 Sammy seems stuck on), Moto will bury Sammy in the smartwatch fight