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Gear S2

Samsung Gear S3 S2 Watch Wearable Smartwatch IFA 2016 LTE GPS iOS
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Samsung Announces Gear S3 Smartwatch With GPS, LTE, & iOS Support

August 31, 2016

Samsung Gear S3 S2 Watch Wearable Smartwatch IFA 2016 LTE GPS iOS

It is almost September, which means it is time for companies to unveil their updated product lineups for the Holidays. We are already seeing several companies announcing new wearables they hope will be on the top of people’s wish lists. Today at IFA, Samsung debuted the new Gear S3, available in 2 flavors: Classic and Frontier. The S3 is the successor to last year’s Gear S2, Samsung’s marque smartwatch. Unlike the S and the S2, which couldn’t have been more different, the S3 continues along the path forged by the S2. Like it’s predecessor, the Tenzen based wearable features a completely round screen (no flat tire) surrounded by a rotating bezel.  But that is about where the similarities end.

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by Doug Parker
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Samsung Gear S2 Classic 3G 4G smartwatch at&t verizon US preorder
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Samsung Launching 3G / 4G Version Of Gear S2 Classic In US

February 25, 2016

smartwatch preorder Samsung Launching 3G 4G Version Gear S2 Classic US Verizon AT&T

This week both AT&T and Verizon have begun take preorders for a 3G/4G version of the Samsung Gear S2 Classic (lacking LTE, it is compatible with AT&T’s HSPA+ “4G” network). Up until now, if you wanted the Gear S2 with wireless capability the only option was the very smartwatch-looking original variant of the wearable. The Classic version, by contrast, takes its aesthetic cues from traditional wrist wear. The wireless version of the device will launch on March 11th. For the pleasure of purchasing the AT&T version, you will need to make 20 monthly payments of $17.50. This equates to $350, which is exactly the list price for the non-3G version of the smartwatch. AT&T users also be able to make use of the carrier’s NumberSync technology that allows you to receive calls to your main phone number on other devices. Unfortunately you still need a wireless plan on the watch for NumberSync to work. On the Verizon side, you can either purchase the 3G Gear S2 for $400 or sign a 2 year contract and pay $350. While the cost of the smartwatch isn’t significantly higher (if at all) than the non-3G version, the additional monthly wireless costs will add up quickly!  

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by Doug Parker
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Samsung Fitness Tracker Gear S2 SM-R150 Triathlon S-Patch Fitbit
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Samsung Preparing New Fitness Oriented Wearable

January 29, 2016

Samsung Fitness Tracker Gear S2 SM-R150 Triathlon S-Patch Fitbit

Two years ago at the Mobile World Congress, Samsung introduced a bevy of new wearables. Among those was a fitness tracker called the Samsung Fit. The Microsoft Band-like device was mediocrely reviewed and didn’t make a big splash in the market place. But if a rumor from Tizen Cafe is to be believed, Samsung is ready to tackle the fitness market again. The new device appears to be based on the Gear S2; it has the same shape and seems to sport the signature rotating bezel. Code named SM-R150, SamMobile is reporting the device is being called Triathlon internally. Besides that, little is known about the device. We can infer it is possible that the new wearable will integrate Samsung’s new S-Patch bio processor, which the company showed at CES this year. Based on images from Tizen Cafe, the SM-R150 seems to have a component that attaches to one’s shirt but the purpose of it is not clear. The images also show a “Body Equalizer” view with the ability to select things such as body fat and weight, a rep counter for the gym, and a way to track hydration. In one image you can also see a screen that appears to feature Airplane Mode, music playback, and a Settings option. We expect to find out more about the device in a few weeks, when the Mobile World Conference kicks off on February 22nd.  

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by Doug Parker
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2015 Gift Guide Smartwatch best featured
Gift Guide

2015 Gift Guide: Smartwatches

December 11, 2015

2015 Gift Guide Smartwatch_v2

Last year we really witnessed the launch of the smartwatch. This year the market became much more mature, crowded, and competitive. We saw everyone from the Chinese to the Swiss, from traditional watchmakers to startup companies, releasing devices. We are also closing out the year with smartwatches having a higher average price than at the beginning of 2015. Existing players increased their prices and new entries averaged around $350 – there are even some device priced well over a $1,000 and you can buy a gold Apple Watch for $17,000! Smartwatches are probably still not mature enough for everyone, but they might provide a set of compelling features that you (or a loved one) have been longing for.

Around Circuits And Cable Knit, we love them for looking at our calendar or the temperature outside with a glance. Also the ability to quickly and easily read and reply to text messages without digging out our phones is amazing. But perhaps the most amazing thing about smartwatches is how everyone uses the device in a different way. Almost daily I use my watch to easily check in on Swarm, receive breaking news alerts, check the wait for an MTA bus, and to pay for things.

If a smartwatch sounds right for someone you know, here are some of the most notable from the past year:  

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by Doug Parker
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Watches

Samsung’s Gear S2 Smartwatch Goes On Sale Today

October 2, 2015

Samsung Sear S2

A month ago, Samsung officially unveiled their new flagship smartwatch, the Gear S2, and today it goes on sale. After 2 years of odd designs, Samsung finally paid attention to what was happening in the wearable market around them and introduced a sleek, round device. Starting at $300, you can find the smartwatch at Amazon, Best Buy, and (oddly) Macy’s. The device is available in two models, the S2 and the S2 Classic. The Classic features a smaller watch face and, breaking the pricing mold, is actually $50 more expensive than the larger S2. Interestingly, the Classic is one of the smallest Android Wear watches available currently. In a first for Samsung, the Tizen powered device is compatible with other makes of Android phones, no longer limiting its audience to Galaxy users. The S2’s standout feature is its rotating bezel, which behaves similarly to Apple’s Digital Crown, providing users an input method to interact with and control apps. Note: a version of the S2 with a cellular antenna will be available “later this Fall” for an undisclosed price at AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

With a smart design and a wide range of compatible devices, we can see that the Gear S2 has the potential to be a big hit. With several compelling Android compatible smartwatches hitting the market this Autumn at similar prices, including the 2015 Moto 360 and Huawei Watch, it will be interesting to see where consumer interest falls.

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by Doug Parker
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Samsung Considering Making Gear S2 Compatible With iOS

September 8, 2015

Samsung Gear S2 iOS Compatibility

Hot on the heels of Google providing iOS compatibility to Android Wear devices, Samsung is said to be investigating opening up their new Gear S2 smartwatch to iPhone users. The Gear S2 is arguably Samsung’s first mass market wearable; it is well designed, solidly built, has a clever interface, and, most importantly, is compatible with non-Samsung Android phones. UK-based site Digital Spy spoke with a Samsung spokesperson who stated that because the company allowed Android access with the device it is also “looking at” the possibility of opening the Gear S2 up to iOS devices. Clearly “looking at” means that if a compatibility solution is released, it is probably not around the corner. But for iPhone users looking for a smaller, round smartwatch, this is still encouraging news. Our only hope is that if a solution is released, it provides a richer experience than Android Wear on iOS currently offers. Early reviews of the iOS Android Wear experience have not been glowing, with frustration regarding how little the devices are able to do.

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by Doug Parker
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2015 IFA Asus ZenWatch Samsung S2 Moto 360 Huawei Watch
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Heavy Hitter Smartwatch Announcements Dominate IFA

September 2, 2015

2015 IFA Asus ZenWatch Samsung S2 Moto 360 Huawei Watch

With IFA (Europe’s version of CES) in full swing this week, there have been a slew of smartwatch announcements. We have known most of these were on the radar but in most cases pricing and availability have only now been made public. The 4 big announcements thus far relate to the Asus Zen Watch 2, the Huawei Watch, the Samsung Gear S2, and the Moto 360 2.

The Asus Zen Watch 2 is definitely the bargain of the bunch, with a price starting at $170 (oddly the larger model is the cheapest). This is a price drop from the original which is probably a good thing because we are not nearly as enamored with the successor’s design. When it launched, the Zen Watch was one of the best performing and looking Android Wear devices available. Asus has made minor tweaks to the aesthetics for this year, but they all seem to be for the worse. It almost feels like Asus got lazy. Functionality wise,  

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by Doug Parker
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