One major feature that makes Samsung’s Galaxy Gear smartwatch different from the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo is the fact that whereas the original Gear was powered by Android, the Gear 2 models run Tizen. That’s no longer the case starting today, though, as Samsung is now updating the Galaxy Gear with Tizen.
According to SamMobile, Samsung is rolling an update out to the original Galaxy Gear that replaces its Android-based OS with Tizen. The update bumps the Galaxy Gear to software version 2.2.0, and while there aren’t many visual changes to note, it’s said that there are quite a few big under-the-hood tweaks.
One major new feature that the Galaxy Gear is gaining with today’s update is support for music playback. The Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo are able to function as standalone music players, and with today’s update, the Galaxy Gear can as well. Other goodies included with this Galaxy Gear update include customizable shortcuts, camera voice commands and improvements to performance and battery life.
This update may not include many visual changes, but the fact that Samsung is swapping Android for Tizen is a big deal. Of course, because Samsung is a big backer of Tizen and the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo run Tizen, it’s also not terribly surprising. Now that the Galaxy Gear runs Tizen, it should be easier for Samsung to bring features of the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo to the OG Gear.
Are any of you still rocking an original Galaxy Gear on your wrist?
Via SamMobile
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