14 DAY TRIAL // When Samsung released the Galaxy Gear smartwatch at IFA 2013 in Berlin, back in September, we were there, and we learned that only the Galaxy Note 3 smartphone was compatible with it. Now, though, things have changed.
Or, rather, things are about to change, at least in the United States of America: Samsung is expanding compatibility to the Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note II.
The functionality will be brought to the Gear smartwatch indirectly, since it won't be the watch that gets software updates, but the phones themselves, via the Premium Suite software update, which includes Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.
We have actually covered the Android 4.3 update for Galaxy S4, S III, and Note II, and we ave fleetingly noted the expanded Gear support there. We have also said that Galaxy S4 mini and Galaxy Mega will be added to the list soon.
For those that want to refamiliarize themselves with the smartwatch, here is the general rundown of its capabilities.
First off, the watch runs Android itself, and can do a bunch of things on its own, and we don't just mean showing the time.
There are fitness apps and other small programs that can run on it, and you can get them via Wi-Fi even if you don't have your phone linked to it. On that note, you can even read e-mails on it.
When your phone is connected, via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, some other features become usable. You can, for example, pick up calls. You have to bring your wrist to your ear, and talk into the belt clasp, where the microphone is located.
Finally, there's even a camera, which isn't in the watch per se, but in the belt, on the outer side of your wrist. You can use it to shoot photos or videos, and there can even be a live streaming link between it and your smartphone.