Samsung’s Galaxy Apps store and its Gear Apps store have been estranged for some time, with Gear S2 users having to have the Gear Apps store for their smartwatch apps and the Galaxy Apps store for everything else. The Korean giant has started streamlining its experience so as to make its own software and services more easily accessible to users old and new, with the Gear Apps store being relocated to the Galaxy Apps store (though the Gear Manager app remains separate) not too long ago. With the Gear 360 having been announced at MWC 2016 and launched in the company’s home country, Samsung has added the Gear 360 Manager app to the Galaxy Apps store.
The Gear 360 Manager app is named after the Gear 360, Samsung’s new 360-degree VR camera that was launched in South Korea today for $350 with pre-orders starting a week ago (and bringing a free battery pack for early adopters). The device features IP53 water and dust resistance, two 15-megapixel fisheye lens cameras that produce 30MP images and 360-degree videos, a microUSB port for charging, a microSD card slot that provides up to an additional 128GB of storage, and a 1,350mAh battery. Samsung intends to roll out the Gear 360 to 450 brick-and-mortar stores nationwide by May, but Europe pricing with a May 22nd shipping date and US pricing for B&H only (for now, anyway), indicates the company’s plans for a worldwide rollout by the end of Q2 2016.
If you’ve gotten your hands on a Gear 360 or want to understand how it all works, Samsung has provided an info graphic as well as a 2-minute clip to satisfy your curiosity.
The Gear S2 has become the darling of the smartwatch world, though the device is not without its critics. Samsung said in a recent interview that the Gear S2 is evolving and changing to meet the ever-growing needs of its consumers, becoming more attuned to customer needs over time.
The latest interview with Samsung User Experience Design Team VP Yoojin Hong tackles some deep questions about the Gear S2: everything from why Samsung chose a circular shape, to its Rotary UX design and rotating bezel, to the company’s own changes in order to best meet its customer desires. Finally, Samsung points out something that’s worth paying attention to: the Korean giant has the manpower and resources to craft every component of its devices, making a range of products as well as designing the hardware and software of the Gear S2 to give Samsung users a unique experience. The Gear S2′s rotating bezel and Rotary UX are two reasons we’d recommend the smartwatch over its predecessor.
Samsung has emerged in its position as the top Android OEM today by evolving and changing, with the company making improvements to Touchwiz by streamlining its software, eliminating its plastic build quality, and giving users more of a contemporary design in its Galaxy S6 series and Note 5. This year, the company improved upon nearly every area in which customers criticized Samsung’s 2015 devices to produce the finest devices the Android world has ever seen. As for the user experience with its latest smartwatch, Samsung has been steadily increasing the number of apps for its Tizen platform, providing replacement straps for Gear S2 customers, and giving non-Classic Gear S2 owners the ability to mix and match other 20mm wristbands with their wrist wearable. Finally, as a public sign of commitment to Samsung’s ability to evolve and change, the Korean giant has said that it is making strides to become more like a trendy startup rather than a traditionally boring corporation.
It was back in December last year that we exclusively revealed that Samsung was working on Gear Manager for iOS. This app will allow the Gear S2 smartwatch to work with an iPhone. Samsung confirmed in January this year that the Gear S2 will soon get support for iOS but it didn’t provide a confirmed date. A few weeks ago it was reported that support will arrive by the end of March but that didn’t happen. Now there’s a big indication that the Gear S2 iOS support just might arrive in the near future.
The leaked Gear Manager for iOS app is now circulating online. The leaked .ipa app file is a big indication that the app will soon be officially available from the App Store. In case you’ve never used an iPhone before it’s not possible to sideload an app as easily as you can on Android so you’re pretty much out of luck if you don’t have a jailbroken iPhone. Even if you do have a jailbroken iPhone it’s not recommended to sideload apps that come from unofficial sources, so bear in mind that should you decide to tinker with it you do so at your own risk. Just keep your fingers crossed if you can’t wait to use your Gear S2 with an iPhone, it may not be long before this becomes official.
The Gear S2 is certainly the best smartwatch that Samsung has ever created. It looks great and is very versatile and adaptable to user preferences. The bands can easily be swapped out allowing users to pair it with their outfits or just change up their style from time to time. Samsung has now introduced a ceramic bracelet for the Gear S2 which is very stylish, to say the least.
The ceramic bracelet for the Gear S2 is listed on Samsung France’s website. It’s distinguished by its design, strength and material and provides a balance between comfort and style. Samsung has developed this bracelet with hypoallergenic materials so it’s perfect for users who are sensitive to certain types of materials. It features an invisible clasp buckle which discreetly holds the watch in place on your wrist. This new accessory for the Gear S2 hasn’t been spotted elsewhere as yet but it’s quite likely that Samsung will introduce it in other markets soon.
The circle. Representing the infinite nature of energy, and the inclusivity of the universe, it is perhaps one of the most sacred and divine symbols that mankind has ever known.
In September, a smartwatch boasting this powerful shape was unveiled at IFA—a design drastically different from the rectangular styles that preceded it. The mesmerizing Gear S2 immediately set itself apart by boasting a more traditionally analog design. Likewise, the concept of the circle was also applied to the Gear VR, another device by Samsung Electronics. The virtual reality headset allows users to watch digital content in 3D with a 360-degree view—an entirely new experience for most.
Yet, it’s not just tech fans that have fallen for the charms of these circle-centric products. They have made their way into the fashion, sports and entertainment industries throughout the world.
In Vogue
On November 28, Samsung held a fashion show in collaboration with BALR., a Netherlands-based fashion brand founded by three professional soccer players. BALR. produces clothing and accessories based on the concepts of simplicity, luxury and comfort. With over 700,000 Instagram fans, the brand is constantly growing in popularity, especially among millennials.
Working hand-in-hand with Samsung, the brand showcased the Gear S2 with the unique styles of BALR. at the show.
“The union of the Gear S2 and BALR. illustrates the future of fashion and technology. Going forward, we will continue to feature technology unique to Samsung by merging IT devices with fashion.” said Menno van den Berg, Managing Director at Samsung Electronics Benelux B.V.
Gear S2 Goes Global with Circular Experience Zones
With a unique circular design, Gear S2 experience zones have sprung up in a total of 17 countries across the world. At these interactive locales, which have been established in cities such as New York, Dubai, London and San Paolo, visitors have the opportunity to try out the Gear S2 and Gear VR devices that are showcased on circular tables.
Virtually Courtside
In early October, Samsung hosted “Balls Don’t Lie” in Milan, Italy. At the event, basketball fans donned Level headphones as they watched their favorite NBA teams bring the action of the courts to Samsung’s SUHD TVs in real time.
The highlight of the event, however, was the Gear VR experience, which allowed attendees to get courtside access to the big game.
Luca Rossi, a sports enthusiast who tried out Samsung’s Gear VR first-hand stated, “I just wanted to watch the game since I love basketball, but I felt like I was actually playing the game. It was so vivid that I can’t explain. It was so real that I could turn around in a circle and see the entire venue, just as if I were really there.”
Hang Ten
Just about every surfing aficionado around the world has heard of Portugal’s Supertubos Beach, which made it the perfect location for a 4D surfing experience.
At the Moche Rip Curl Pro in October, participants were able to slip into Gear VR headsets and hop on surf boards.
“I can’t believe Samsung makes such a fun device!” exclaimed Pedro Guedes, an impressed participant, as he took off the headset. “I feel as if I just came back from surfing!”
Frederico Paiva of Samsung Electronics Portugal explained, “People will begin to see our products associated with sports more often in the future. We plan to carry out unprecedented marketing activities in an effort to bring consumers closer to Samsung.”
The Charm of the Circle
Moving away from the rectangular shape which has been so prevalent in technology in the past, the Gear S2 and Gear VR highlight the charm of the circle. These products promise satisfaction to consumers, not only in design but also functionality.
Created to display information in a circular design, the Gear S2 is appealing to the eye. The product is not only revolutionary in shape, but the functionality upgrade of the Gear S2—which is easily connected to other Android devices—has taken the world by storm. Similarly, the Gear VR, which places the user at the center of attention, is a product that is taking the mobile experience to the next level.
Both products beautifully demonstrate the power of the world’s most captivating shape and how it has inspired Samsung to lead the way in technological innovation across multiple industries and lifestyles.
launched in October has been a welcomed surprise in the world of wearable technology. Introducing a circular design with an innovative rotating bezel UX, the Gear S2 makes navigating applications and checking the notifications smooth, easy and intuitive.
This upbeat video emphasizes the Gear S2’s rotating bezel and its circular UX, navigating through the music, S Health and notification features, which are represented by a group of core performers. A mix of choreography, projections and unexpected props makes every scene of this video unique.
[The cast of the “Human Kaleidoscope” come together, arms outstretched, showing the power of the circle.]
The “Human Kaleidoscope”
production features a diverse cast of over 150 performers that includes musicians, athletes and dancers who enact a variety of common actions. They are all choreographed together for one epic performance, captured live on camera. This represents Samsung’s playful, fun side, showing the human personification of the Gear S2, put to energetic music.
Shot in large from an aerial perspective, the performers truly encapsulate the power of the circle, a symbol of unity, wholeness and timelessness. By setting up a projector and camera to hover 70 inches above the ground, the full scale of the production could be captured.
[Projector and camera set up for aerial shots used for the “Human Kaleidoscope”.]
The innovative design and functionality of the newest Samsung smartwatch, along with Samsung’s extensive list of partners and apps for the Gear S2, make it perfect for organization and productivity. But the Gear S2 is not just for discreetly checking notifications and responding to messages during meetings. The Gear S2 is perfect for music lovers, fitness enthusiasts, social networkers and anyone with a creative and active lifestyle.
Samsung Electronics announced the Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch, the company’s latest offering as a result of many years of progressive innovation in the wearables category.
The Samsung Gear S2 comes in a versatile, circular design with an intuitive, custom UX and advanced features that enable users to enhance, personalize and bring more fun to their mobile experience.
The Gear S2’s unique rotating bezel, along with the Home and Back buttons, ensures users will have a quicker, more precise method to comfortably access notifications and applications.
Samsung Gear S2
Introduced in two different options – the Gear S2 and the Gear S2 classic – Samsung designed the Gear S2 to appeal to two distinct consumer preferences. The Gear S2 classic is made for users who prefer a more timeless watch design, offering an elegant Black finish with a matching genuine leather band. The Gear S2 is ideal for those who are on-the-go and have an admiration for minimal and modern design.
“For the past several years, Samsung has pioneered and advanced the wearables category, bringing brave new concepts to the smart wearables market,” said JK Shin, CEO and Head of Samsung’s IT & Mobile Business. “The Samsung Gear S2 reflects Samsung’s most progressive innovation. It is the perfect complement for any occasion, easily taking you from day to night, from work to workout—and ensuring that you get more out of every moment in your day, by making it smarter and ultimately more personal and fun.”
A mere 11.4-millimeter thin, the Samsung Gear S2 brings a light and compact design to your wrist. It offers an incredibly vibrant viewing experience for a smartwatch, thanks to its 1.2-inch circular screen and its 360 x 360 resolution (302 ppi). The applications on the Gear S2 can be viewed with amazing clarity so that users don’t miss notification pop-ups. Also, with the latest Tizen OS and an optimized 1-GHz dual core processor, the Samsung Gear S2 can perform tasks easily and efficiently.
Galaxy Gear S2 Classic
Users can stay connected with at-a-glance notifications to check calendars, e-mails, news and can even send important texts directly from their wrist. Users can choose the Gear S2 with 3G connectivity which incorporates the first-ever e-SIM with voice capability, to perform quick functions without being closely tethered to their phone.
New fitness functions on the Samsung Gear S2 will encourage consumers to stay healthy and active. The 24-hour activity log lets users view daily activity progress and patterns at a glance. It will also send reminder updates to motivate users to stay on track with their fitness goals.
For the ultimate convenience, the Samsung Gear S2 comes with NFC technology which will enable mobile payments without the need for a wallet. Samsung is working with a wide selection of partners across different industries to expand the usability of wearables and streamline consumers’ mobile lives in a variety of ways, including smart car keys, residential room keys, and remote controls to manage a connected home.
All of these connected features will be supported by a battery that can last up to 2-3 days, allowing consumers to stay connected without the hassle of constantly having to recharge. To charge, simply place the Samsung Gear S2 on the wireless charging dock right out of the box.
The Samsung Gear S2 reflects Samsung’s commitment to openly collaborate with developers and partners to bring increased customization and applications to its devices. Samsung is working closely with partners to offer a range of watch faces and watch bands so that users can have a variety of ways to express their personal style and mood. Users can easily change the band with one click, and change the watch face for a more personalized and sophisticated Gear experience depending on the time, place or occasion.
A variety of apps optimized for the Gear S2’s circular user interface will be available at launch. Through open collaboration with developers and partners, Samsung is continuing to enrich its wearable ecosystem and provide users with a more optimized and unique smart wearable experience.
The Samsung Gear S2 will be available in a Dark Gray case with a Dark Gray band and Silver case with a White band. The Samsung Gear S2 classic will be available in a Black case with a Leather band.
The Samsung Gear S2 and Gear S2 classic will be showcased for full media hands-on and more applications will be demonstrated with partners at Tempodrum, Berlin on September 3.
Samsung Gear S2 and Gear S2 classic Product Specifications:
