The Galaxy Gear is, right now, only compatible with the Note 3 and some Galaxy S4 units, but that should change over the next weeks.
Samsung today announced it plans to extend the compatibility with the Galaxy Gear smartwatch to several of its most prominent devices. The Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy Note 2 will receive the compatibility update along with the bump to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.
As a reminder, users of the unlocked version of the Galaxy S4 in Germany were the first to receive Android 4.3 last week. Samsung did not provide any details on the timeline for the update for the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2, but unofficial reports suggest that Android 4.3 could hit these devices in December. If you fancy a Gear for the holidays, you might get to use it with your Note 2 or S3, but don't make any buying decisions until you get a confirmation from Samsung.
Samsung will also make the Gear compatible with a few other devices: Galaxy S4 mini, Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy Mega 5.8, Galaxy Mega 6.3, and Galaxy S4 zoom. For these devices, Samsung will deliver a standalone update by the end of October, independently of the Android 4.3 update.
The obligatory caveat is that rollouts depend on carriers, and thus may arrive late in your market.
The Galaxy Gear costs $300 off-contract, which is beyond the range of expendable income for many customers. What do you get for that? A 1.6-inch display, 800 MHz processor, a pretty decent 1.9MP camera, the ability to receive notifications and make phone calls, and a relatively small selection of apps. Some reviewers criticized the Gear for the unpolished experience and lacking performance, but we guess that's the price of being an early adopter.
Samsung Extends Galaxy Gear Compatibility to Galaxy S III, S4, Note II, and More
October 23, 2013
Samsung provides more users with enhanced flexibility and freedom via extended Galaxy Gear compatibility
Seoul, Korea – Oct 23, 2013 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. today announced that more Samsung devices will be compatible with Galaxy Gear, a perfect companion device that makes mobile communication easier and more enjoyable.
Galaxy Gear will be available for use with Galaxy S4, S III, and Note II through the Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) update. The update came first to Galaxy S4 devices in Germany in October. Samsung will also extend Galaxy Gear compatibility to other GALAXY devices – including Galaxy S4 mini, S4 Active, Mega 5.8, Mega 6.3, and S4 zoom – through a separate software update beginning at the end of October. Software update schedules for each device will vary by country and carrier.
“Extending Galaxy Gear compatibility to more Galaxy devices reflects our deep commitment to continuing to deliver enriched mobile experiences to our consumers,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile division, Samsung Electronics. “Through a significant effort to enhance and enrich the Galaxy experience, Samsung continues to empower our users in their mobile lives and enable smart freedom with Galaxy Gear.”
Samsung Galaxy Gear
Galaxy Gear will enable Galaxy S4, S III, and Note II users to make and answer calls and view incoming messages and notifications with just a glance. For a closer look at more important messages, users can simply pick up their master device and the Smart Relay feature instantly reveals the full content. Users can also find major social apps on Samsung Apps to maintain connections to their social networks via Galaxy Gear.
With a 1.9 Megapixel camera, users can snap a visual memo by simply tapping Galaxy Gear’s screen. Photos are then easily and automatically saved in the master device’s gallery. Users can enjoy a built-in Pedometer app and use Galaxy Gear to control the music played on their master devices. Of course the device also functions like a watch, with the option to change the face with 10 different clock options and even more options available via Samsung Apps.
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