Samsung launched its Android based Galaxy Gear smartwatch in September last year. Apparently that device didn’t do so well and rumors began circulating months later that the company would launch new smartwatches in a few months time. Sure enough at MWC 2014 in February, merely six months later, it launched Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo. The major difference is that the new smartwatches run on Tizen instead of Android. Samsung’s first smartwatch will soon shift from Android as well.
In fact, a company spokesman had previously confirmed that the original Galaxy Gear would be updated to Tizen. Samsung didn’t reveal when an update would be rolled out, only that it was working on one.
The folks at Sammobile have received a Tizen test build for the original smartwatch but they’ve not leaked it at this time due to the software being in “early stages.” But they’ve provided us with a preview of the new software which brings in a “ton of new features and functionality” for the smartwatch.
After the Tizen update Galaxy Gear will be able to measure sleep patterns using Sleep mode, in Exercise mode it will be capable of keeping track of a user’s workouts. The Tizen update will also bring a standalone music player allowing users to store music on the wearable device itself. Apart from the features there’s a new look and feel to the entire user interface, with customization options for fonts, wallpapers, home icon sizes and more.
No word as yet on when this update is going to be released. By the looks of it, the Tizen update will certainly breathe new life into the original Samsung smartwatch.
Filed in . Read more about Galaxy Gear, Smartwatches, Tizen and Wearable Tech.