Samsung Gear
Samsung Gear is a range of wearable devices launched by Samsung on September 4, 2013 during a special event leading up to IFA 2013 . It consists of smartwatches, fitness bracelets, 360 degree cameras and VR glasses . The first generation, called Galaxy Gear, has been available in retail stores since September 25, 2013. Almost five months later, on February 23, 2014, Samsung presented the successor “Samsung Gear 2” and its offshoot “Samsung Gear 2 Neo” and the fitness bracelet “Samsung Gear Fit”, which run with Tizen OS instead of Android . The " Samsung Gear Live " was presented in June 2014 and is the first Samsung watch with the Android Wear system optimized for wearables . In August, however, Samsung showed another Tizen device with the “Samsung Gear S”.
Features (of non-Android Wear devices)
The devices are connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth . You can take over certain functions of the smartphone, such as reading e-mails and text messages or accepting phone calls. It is controlled via apps installed on the devices. All watches are only compatible with certain Samsung cell phones.
The smartwatches have the following functions, among others:
- Time, either analogue or digital
- Dictation machine with subsequent conversion into text form
- Pedometer and a simple exercise program
- Camera in the bracelet
- Media controller for music played from the paired mobile phone
- S-Voice, a voice assistant that is also installed on some Samsung smartphones
- Weather display
- Help locating a lost smartphone
Android devices (with Samsung Touchwiz)
Galaxy Gear
hardware
The device has the following components:
- 1.63-inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 320 x 320 pixels (191 ppi )
- Samsung Exynos Dual Core Processor (800 MHz)
- 1.9 megapixel camera
- 4 GB memory
- Bluetooth 4.0
- 315 mAh battery
The device is available in six colors (black, gray, orange, beige, white-gold and green).
reception
The Galaxy Gear received mostly negative criticism from the press. Computerbild.de criticizes the compulsion to set up the device and use it correctly only with a few specific Samsung smartphones, the empty battery after a day of normal use, annoying notifications that require the mobile phone to react and the unconvincing voice recognition of the S-Voice assistant. Plus points are the display, the note function and the configurable clock.
Software update on Tizen
Since the end of May 2014 it has been possible to switch the operating system on the Galaxy Gear to Tizen. This makes it possible to bring the gear of the first generation closer to the successor model in terms of software. The update brings some of the software functions known from the successor models Gear 2 and Gear Neo. Due to the discontinuation of the Android operating system, the “Galaxy” is no longer used in the name, so that only the product name “Gear” is now used.
Tizen devices
Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, Gear Fit (MWC 2014)
Gear 2
On February 23, 2014, Samsung presented the successor version "Samsung Gear 2" in the run-up to the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
The device has the following specifications:
- 1.63-inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 320 × 320 pixels
- 1.2 GHz dual core processor
- 512 MB RAM
- Camera: Photo: 1920 × 1080 pixels, Video: 1280 × 720 pixels
- 4 GB internal memory
- Bluetooth 4.0
- 300 mAh battery (Samsung promises two to three days of battery life, with low use even up to six)
- 36.9 x 58.4 x 10.0 mm; 68 g
- Protected against water and dust in accordance with IP67
The watch is available in three colors: Charcoal Black (black), Gold Brown (golden brown) and Wild Orange (orange).
Gear 2 Neo
The "Gear 2 Neo" was presented together with the "Gear 2". It serves as a cheaper device because there is no camera. Accordingly, the dimensions differ slightly at 37.9 × 58.8 × 10.0 mm and the device is slightly lighter at 55 g. It is available in the colors Charcoal Black (black), Mocha Gray (gray) and Wild Orange (orange).
Gear Fit
In addition to the “Gear 2” models, Samsung presented the “Samsung Gear Fit” fitness bracelet . The AMOLED display is curved and therefore adapts better to the arm than a solid, square display. With some fitness sensors and functions, such as the built-in heart rate monitor, step counter, stopwatch or timer, it primarily appeals to athletes.
The display also shows notifications from the cell phone, such as calls, text messages or SMS. It reminds you of upcoming appointments and allows you to control the music output of the cell phone connected via Bluetooth. The fitness bracelet analyzes the user's sleep rhythm overnight.
The technical data are similar to those of the "Gear 2" models. Details of the processor and memory are not known. A camera and freely usable internal memory are also not included.
- 1.84-inch curved Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 432 × 128 pixels
- Bluetooth 4.0
- Battery with a capacity of 210 milliampere hours (according to the manufacturer, this lasts about three to four days with normal use, and even up to five with low use)
- Dimensions: 23.4 × 57.4 × 11.95 millimeters
- Mass: 27 grams
- Protected from water and dust according to IP67
software
Instead of Android, Samsung uses its own solution in the operating system for the 2nd generation Gear devices: The devices are based on Tizen OS, which is why the “Galaxy” is omitted in the name. In the course of the presentation, the first Galaxy Gear was also updated to Tizen OS.
Compatible control units
The following Samsung smartphones are currently compatible with Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit:
- Galaxy Grand 2
- Galaxy Mega 6.3
- Galaxy Mega 5.8
- Galaxy Note 2
- Galaxy Note 3
- Galaxy Note 3 Neo
- Galaxy Note 4
- Galaxy Note Edge
- Galaxy S3
- Galaxy S4
- Galaxy S4 mini
- Galaxy S4 Active
- Galaxy S4 Zoom
- Galaxy S5
- Galaxy S5 mini
And the following tablets:
- Galaxy Tab 4 10.1
- Galaxy Tab 4 8.0
- Galaxy Tab 4 7.0
- Galaxy TabPRO 12.2
- Galaxy TabPRO 10.1
- Galaxy TabPRO 8.4
- Galaxy NotePRO 12.2
- Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition)
reception
In a test by Smartwatch-Test.biz it was praised that, compared to the Galaxy Gear, the Gear 2's camera could be found directly in the case and not in the bracelet. Nevertheless, the quality of the photos that can be taken via voice control was criticized. The display has been criticized because it is difficult to read in strong sunlight and does not have a brightness sensor, which is at the expense of battery performance if you do not regularly regulate the brightness manually. The infrared port for TV control and the possibility of exchanging the watch bracelet with the change of the camera position were positively mentioned. The housing of the Gear 2 Neo looks as valuable as that of the Gear 2.
“The smartwatch has been improved on a few key points. The system runs very smoothly and gestures to operate are quickly learned. The battery lasts 3-4 days, which is quite acceptable for a smartwatch. The smartwatch does have fitness functions, but does not fulfill them adequately. It will also put off many customers that the watch only works with Samsung Galaxy phones. Samsung is the market leader, but it excludes users from other manufacturers. Furthermore, there are very few apps for Tizen devices so far. There is still some catching up to do here. "
Gear S series
Gear S
The Gear S, like the Gear Fit, has a curved AMOLED display with 16 million colors. In addition, it is the first Samsung Smartwatch to have a built-in WLAN and 3G module, which means that coupling with the mobile phone is no longer necessary and you can also make calls with the watch or via a connected Bluetooth headset. Just like the Gear 2 Neo, there is no camera. The existing SIM slot in the Gear S makes the smartwatch completely autonomous, in contrast to many other wearables.
hardware
- 2 inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 360 x 480 pixels
- Unspecified dual-core processor (1.0 GHz)
- 512 MB RAM
- 4 GB of memory, of which only 2 GB are available for the user, the rest is required for the operating system
- Bluetooth 4.1, USB 2.0, WLAN b / g / n, GPS
- 300 mAh Li-ion battery, according to the manufacturer, lasts around 2 days with typical use
Gear S2
hardware
- 1.2 inch round AMOLED display 360 × 360 pixels, 302 ppi
- Exynos 3250
- 512 MB RAM
- 4 GB memory, approx. 1.9 GB freely available to the user
- IP68 certification
- Bluetooth 4.1, USB 2.0, WLAN b / g / n
- 250 mAh large Li-ion battery
Gear S3
Since December 2016 the Gear S3 has been available in two versions, "Classic" and "Frontier". Since January 2017 it has also been compatible with iOS and can therefore also be connected to an iPhone. Due to the larger battery compared to the S2, it has a running time of three to five days. The watch is charged in about two hours.
Android Wear devices
Samsung Gear Live
360 ° camera
Samsung Gear 360 (Version 2016)
In February 2016, the Samsung Gear 360 - the first 360 ° camera from Samsung - was presented at the Mobile World Conference in Barcelona. Samsung pursued the concept of creating a device that is as portable as possible and that is easy to use. This is why this 6 cm camera has only three buttons.
This camera has been criticized because so far it can only be used in combination with an additional app and only with the latest Samsung Galaxy models (from Samsung Galaxy S6).
properties
- Video resolution: 3840 × 1920 pixels
- Photo resolution: 7776 × 3888 pixels
- Weight: 153 g
- Aperture : F 2.0
- USB
Samsung Gear 360 (Version 2017)
On March 29th, a new update of the Gear 360 was shown in New York to present the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 +. In addition to the design, the size and properties have also changed. The camera can now record videos in 4K .
properties
- CMOS 8.4 megapixel fisheye cameras
- Video recordings: Dual Cam: up to 4096 x 2048 pixels (24 fps)
- Photo recordings: Dual Cam: up to 15 megapixels
- Weight: 130 g
- IP53 certified: dust and water protected
- USB-C connector
Gear VR
The Samsung Gear VR is a mobile virtual reality headset that was developed by Samsung in collaboration with Oculus and manufactured by Samsung. The headset was released on November 27, 2015.
A compatible Samsung Galaxy device is required to use it ( Galaxy Note 5 , Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge / S6 Edge +, Galaxy S7 / S7 Edge, Galaxy S8 / S8 + or Galaxy Note 8 ). which acts as the display and processor of the headset, while the Gear VR Unit itself acts as a controller. The headset contains the field of view as well as a user-defined inertial measurement unit (IMU) for rotation tracking, which is connected to the smartphone via micro USB. The Gear VR headset also has a touchpad and a side back button as well as a proximity sensor that detects when the headset is switched on.
Some of the main hardware goals that Samsung set for this project were: That their headset support latency times of less than 20 ms, the optimization of the hardware and kernel and also the creation of the QHD display of the Galaxy Note 4, which enables high-resolution rendering in the headset.
The field of view of the lenses is 96 ° for the first three models and 101 ° for the 2017 model.
Oculus Home is the central platform for downloading and using content on the Samsung Gear VR. Oculus Home is also the go-to place for software distribution on the Gear VR.
See also
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Jungah Lee: Samsung Said to Unveil Wristwatch-Like Smartphone Next Month . In: Bloomberg . Bloomberg LP August 16, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ↑ http://www.golem.de/news/galaxy-gear-samsung-bestaetigt-veroeffnahmung-auf-der-ifa-1308-101220.html
- ↑ a b Abhijeet M .: Exclusive: Galaxy Gear smartwatch colors confirmed . SamMobile. August 21, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ↑ Carsten Drees: MWC 2014: Samsung presents new Smartwatch Gear 2 with Tizen OS. mobilegeeks.de, February 23, 2014, accessed on February 23, 2014 .
- ↑ Carsten Drees: MWC 2014: Samsung introduces Gear 2 Neo with Tizen OS. mobilegeeks.de, February 23, 2014, accessed on February 23, 2014 .
- ↑ http://www.golem.de/news/samsung-galaxy-gear-smartwatch-nur-mit-sehr-wenigen-samsung-geraeten-nutzbar-1309-101372.html
- ↑ http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/4/4692824/samsung-galaxy-gear-features-specs-release-date-price
- ↑ http://www.samsung.com/de/galaxynote3+gear/
- ↑ Michael Link, Christian Just, Marco Engelien: Smart watch on the wrist - Samsung Galaxy Gear: Test of the Smartwatch. Computerbild.de, November 20, 2013, accessed on February 22, 2014 .
- ↑ a b Samsung Offers Unmatched Freedom and Style with the Next Generation of Gear devices. (No longer available online.) Samsung Mobile Press on February 28, 2013, archived from the original on March 7, 2014 ; accessed on March 8, 2014 (English). Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Galaxy Gear 2 - Samsung's Smartwatch in the test: prices, information. Die-Smartwatch.de, accessed on March 2, 2014 .
- ↑ Gear Fit. (No longer available online.) Samsung Mobile Press, archived from the original on March 2, 2014 ; accessed on March 9, 2014 (English). Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Samsung: Galaxy Gear gets Tizen, Gear 2 an SDK. Techstage.de, accessed on March 2, 2014 .
- ↑ Samsung Gear 2, Neo and Fit compatible with many Galaxy models. inside-handy, accessed on April 17, 2014 .
- ↑ Samsung Gear 2 & Gear 2 Neo in the test. (No longer available online.) In: Smartwatch-Test.biz. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014 ; accessed on September 13, 2014 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ a b Samsung Gear S: Smartwatch with flexible OLED display and 3G module revealed. In: Androidnext. August 28, 2014, accessed September 4, 2014 .
- ↑ Samsung Galaxy Gear S In Review - A Real Smartwatch. (No longer available online.) Smartwatch-Test24.com, April 8, 2015, archived from the original on August 20, 2015 ; accessed on August 1, 2015 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Samsung Gear S - a real smartwatch. (No longer available online.) In: Smartwatch-Test24. April 8, 2015, formerly in the original ; Retrieved April 8, 2015 . ( Page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Samsung product page Gear S3
- ↑ Daria Mühlethaler, Kevin Kyburz: Samsung Gear 360 - Review of a 360 degree camera. May 26, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2016 .
- ↑ 4K and live streams: Samsung presents the new Gear 360 . In: t3n News . ( t3n.de [accessed on March 30, 2017]).
- ↑ Samsung launches the first VR glasses developed for a large group of buyers. Retrieved on February 2, 2018 (German).
- ↑ Precise control, high convenience: The Gear VR with Controller. Retrieved on February 2, 2018 (German).
