Many wondered what would happen to the original Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Gear when Samsung unveiled the new Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo smartwatches powered by Tizen only months later. While many expected Samsung to abandon its first attempt completely, the company instead indicated that it would upgrade it to Tizen. It provided no timeline as to when such an update might happen and it has been quiet on that front. Until today that is when SamMobile got their hands on a recent Tizen test build for the Galaxy Gear.
The software is described as being in “early stages” but runs well enough that SamMobile could spend a bit of time playing with it and even comparing it to the software on the Gear 2 smartwatches. We’ll let the video do the talking:
http://youtu.be/f9zplGtH-wA
While apps designed for the original Galaxy Gear will no longer work, the update brings with it a ton of new features including the Sleep and Exercise modes and a standalone music player. Much of the functionality of the Gear 2 devices has been ported over with the exception of WatchON Remote and the heart rate monitor as the Galaxy Gear does not have the necessary hardware for these functions.
The upgrade is also expected to improve the battery life, one of the biggest complaints about the Galaxy Gear.
Samsung is also rebranding the Galaxy Gear to simply Gear as it consolidates its wearable devices under the Gear brand.
There is no word yet on when the Samsung Galaxy Gear Tizen update will be released but original Gear users can now rest assured that Samsung has not forgotten about them.
Source : SamMobile