Samsung to Launch Galaxy Gear 2 and Galaxy Gear 2 Neo with Tizen OS

[dgstorm]

Samsung is making waves today even before their big flagship Galaxy S5 announcement at 1PM CT. In fact, it's possible we might be seeing Samsung's first big move away from Google's Android OS. Samsung just officially announced the Galaxy Gear 2 and Galaxy Gear 2 Neo wearable smartwatch devices. The most surprising think about these devices isn't the hardware; it's the software. There's no Android to be found on either of these devices. They are both powered by Samsung's own in-house developed Tizen OS.

Just as before, the Galaxy Gear 2 Neo is simply a lower specced version of the Galaxy Gear 2. Here's the full press release and a spec-list:

Galaxy Gear 2 and Galaxy Gear 2 Neo spec-list:

Display - 1.63” Super AMOLED (320 x 320)
AP - 1.0 GHz Dual Core Processor
OS - Tizen based wearable platform
Camera - Gear 2 : 2.0 Megapixel Auto Focus (1920x1080, 1080x1080, 1280x960) / Gear 2 Neo : N/A
Video - Codec: H.264, H.263 - Format: 3GP, MP4 - HD(720p, @30fps) Playback & Recording
Audio - Codec: MP3/AAC/AMR/Vorbis - Format: MP3, M4A, AAC, OGG
Camera - Features: Auto Focus Camera, Sound & Shot, Location Tags, Signature
Additional Features -
Fitness Features:
1. Heart Rate sensor
2. Pedometer
3. Exercise - Standalone Modes: Running, Walking / Companion Modes: Cycling, Hiking
4. Sleep & Stress (Downloadable)
Music Player with Bluetooth® Headset and Speaker
WatchON Remote: Remote Controller via IrLED Sensor
Basic Features:
- Bluetooth Call, Camera, Notification(SMS, E-mail, Apps)
Media Controller, Schedule, Smart Relay, S Voice, Stopwatch, Timer, Weather
More Features(Downloadable):
- Calculator, ChatON, Flashlight, Quick Settings, Voice Memo
Changeable Strap
Color Options:
- Gear 2 : Charcoal Black, Gold Brown and Wild Orange
- Gear 2 Neo : Charcoal Black, Mocha Grey and Wild Orange
IP67 Certified Dust and Water Resistant, Noise Cancellation
Featured App - Banjo, BMW, CNN , Conde Nast, Expedia, eBay, Evernote, Feedly, GARMIN, Glympse, GM (Onstar 4GLTE), iControl, Line, Path, Paypal, RUNTASTIC, Volkswagen, Weather Channel, Under Armour(Map my fitness),
Connectivity - Bluetooth® v4.0 LE, IrLED
Sensor - Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Heart Rate
Memory - RAM: 512MB
Storage: 4GB Internal Memory
Dimension - Gear 2 : 36.9 x 58.4x 10.0 mm, 68g / Gear 2 Neo : 37.9 x 58.8 x 10.0mm, 55g
Battery - Standard Battery, Li-ion 300mAh - Typical Usage 2~3 days, Low Usage up to 6 days

Barcelona, Spain – February 23, 2014 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today introduced the Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo designed to take the freedom, convenience and style of wearable technology to the next level. The Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo offer consumers enhanced connectivity and a completely integrated approach for the most personal wearable experience.

“Samsung continues to lead innovation in the wearable market by creating devices that are completely integrated into the lives of consumers through extended connectivity features, stylish customization options and a robust application ecosystem,” Said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. “With the Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, we have enhanced everything consumers love about the Gear to offer unparalleled smart freedom in their everyday life.”

The next generation of mobile freedom
Samsung achieved a significant improvement as a leading smart wearable provider with Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo. Both devices offer a lightweight design with premium finishes that reflect modern trends.

A Camera is equipped to a main body instead to strap, making the Samsung Gear 2 a sleek and sharp smart companion. Consumers are now available to express their mood or coordinate with their outfit with modern and sophisticated strap color options including Charcoal Black, Gold Brown and Wild Orange for Gear2 and Charcoal Black, Mocha Grey and Wild Orange for Gear2 Neo. The home screen background, clock face and font are also customizable to reflect their personal taste.

The Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo are essential companion devices, allow users to accept or ignore incoming calls and messages, and providing instant notification options based on a user’s activity and habits.

Both devices act as an extension of a consumer’s daily life, offering users more control of their lives with standalone features, such as controlling electronic products such as TV, settop box through WatchON Remote application in their own home with an embedded IrLED sensor. The addition of a standalone music player with Bluetooth headset means people can leave their smartphone at home and still enjoy their music on the go.
Both devices also offer personal fitness coaching in real time, allowing users to develop a customizable fitness routine and monitor their heart rate in order to improve their overall well-being.

Finally, the Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo let users connect to a wide variety of Samsung devices and access an enriched application ecosystem as the first wearable powered by Tizen based wearable platform. Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo are compatible with more than dozens of Samsung Galaxy smartphones at launch.
Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo will be available around the world starting from April. Full details and product images are available at Samsung Mobile Press or m.samsungmobilepress.com.

 

[johnomaz]

It could be a very double edge sword. It may help introduct Tizen to the public but also may turn away people thinking it won't work with Android.

 

[akhenax]

Could Samsung create an OS specifically for their devices, and create a Samsung only ecosystem? I think not. If Windows 8 is having issues with getting developer support, I see Tizen doomed for failure right off the bat.

 

[dgstorm]

Could Samsung create an OS specifically for their devices, and create a Samsung only ecosystem? I think not. If Windows 8 is having issues with getting developer support, I see Tizen doomed for failure right off the bat.

I tend to agree akhenax. Certainly a few years down the road it's possible that Samsung could develop enough of an ecosystem to start competing against Windows, iOS and Android directly, but the numbers are stacked against them. Furthermore, if they start competing with Android then they are also competing with themselves because they have become "the face" of Android.

I think that Tizen is simply their "back-up" strategy with long-term potential depending on how things go in the future.

 

[dgstorm]

Could Samsung create an OS specifically for their devices, and create a Samsung only ecosystem? I think not. If Windows 8 is having issues with getting developer support, I see Tizen doomed for failure right off the bat.

I tend to agree akhenax. Certainly a few years down the road it's possible that Samsung could develop enough of an ecosystem to start competing against Windows, iOS and Android directly, but the numbers are stacked against them. Furthermore, if they start competing with Android then they are also competing with themselves because they have become "the face" of Android.

I think that Tizen is simply their "back-up" strategy with long-term potential depending on how things go in the future.

 

[Preach2k]

I will breakdown and buy one when they make a steel one like Pebble!!! I might just get Pebble anyway.