Earlier this year at MWC 2014, Samsung introduced a handful of new wearables. The Samsung Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and the Gear Fit. You might be wondering why the naming scheme is different from the Galaxy Gear? Well it is because it runs on Tizen, while the Galaxy moniker suggests that it runs on Android.
Interestingly enough it seems that Samsung has decided to make the original Galaxy Gear into a regular Gear. How is this done? Well according to a report from SamMobile, Samsung has begun rolling out an update for the Galaxy Gear that would basically remove Android and install Tizen in its place, which we guess would essentially turn the Galaxy Gear into “Gear”.
This will bump the smartwatch’s software to version 2.2.0 and according to SamMobile, users who update will not notice any visual differences as Samsung has worked to ensure the UI and design are consistent with before. However they note that the change in operating system will also bring about improvements to the smartwatch.
This comes in the form of improve performance and better battery life, and will feature a standalone music player, customizable shortcuts for tap input, voice commands for the camera, and more. Essentially this is like the Galaxy Gear getting the features of the Gear 2, except in a different body.
It is an interesting move by Samsung, and if anything it goes to show that they are reducing their reliance on Google’s Android platform, especially when they could have just as easily gone with Android Wear, like what LG and Motorola did. The update can be download via Kies, although it is unclear if the watch needs to be re-paired or setup again post-update. If you have installed the Tizen update, let us know in the comments below on how it is treating you!
Filed in . Read more about Galaxy Gear, Samsung, Smartwatch, Tizen and Wearable Tech.