At launch, the Samsung GALAXY Gear only worked with the newly released Samsung GALAXY Note 3. Many of the reviews from different parts of the web have criticised Samsung for making a smartwatch that only works with one phone – the Samsung Note 3.
During the launch here in Lagos, I got heads up that the Samsung GALAXY Gear is going to be supported by Samsung GALAXY S4 once it gets the Android 4.3 update. This may be a reason for some other Samsung device owners to smile.
According to a report on droid-life.com, the Samsung Gear is soon going to be supported by Samsung GALAXY S4 Zoom, Samsung GALAXY S4 Mini, Samsung GALAXY Mega 5.8 and 6.3, Samsung GALAXY S4 Active and Samsung GALAXY S3.
This is not just good news for the people having these older devices, but good news for Samsung–they can move more GALAXY Gear to more prospects.
A brief thought on the GALAXY Gear
I have one on my wrist as I type this post. I have one word to describe the Gear; smartphone remote control. Of what use is your remote control without your Television nearby? That’s precisely how I perceive the Gear.
You need a phone to activate the Gear. The phone has to be one of the supported ones that I have listed above. Some of the basic functions of the phone is that it can serve as a camera, a pedometer, a media player controller, accepts voice memo, makes phone calls, can view pictures and a host of other things.
However, if you are not within Bluetooth range with the phone, you cannot initiate a phone call. Just like sitting in the convenience of a couch and flicking channels using your remote control, your smartphone can be in your bag or your pocket while you control some of the functions using the Gear.
The Samsung GALAXY Gear is well designed. It looks like a premium device. I am however looking forward to the next iteration with some added functionalities.
I am working on a review of the Samsung GALAXY Gear and I will share it here when I am done. Stick around.
