The Gear Fit 2 & Gear IconX Aim for Style and Functionality.
Samsung’s strategy with the Gear Fit 2 and Gear IocnX is aiming directly at the casual fitness market. The Gear Fit 2 brings more style this go around but still packing the features needed to be a fitness band that is worth taking a look at.
Gear Fit 2 Packs In The Specs With Style.
The Gear Fit 2 sports a more ergonomic shape that fits more comfortable on the wrist. The curved 1.5-inch AMOLED display that fits nicely around the write. Inside the Gear Fit 2, there is a 1 GHz dual-core processor, 512 MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. Sensors included are an accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate monitor, barometer, and GPS. Yes, you read that right GPS, which means you can go on a run with the Gear Fit 2 and track your run without having to bring your phone with you.
The Gear Fit 2 measures in at 24.5 x 51.2mm. The small is about 28g, while the large is 30g in weight. The device is also IP68 water resistant so it can be in the water as deep at 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
The Gear Fit 2 Runs Tizen-OS
The previous Gear Fit from 2014 used RTOS which was made for wearables but since then Samsung has put a lot of resources into Tizen OS, which they are using here for the Gear Fit 2. The interface is vertical with you be able to swipe left to right between different apps and up and down for information and additional settings within apps. From my first bit of time with the Gear Fit 2, it seems to run pretty snappily. No word on apps just yet but I imagine a dev kit will be made available for it. Spotify will have an app for it but as of right now you still need the phone to use it, and it doesn’t cache the songs. I imagine a downloader will be made available to upload your own music to it, but it would have been nice to see some caching here with either Spotify, Milk Music or Google Play Music.
All of your fitness data from the Gear Fit 2 will sync with Samsung S Health by default, but you will be able to sync with a select section of other apps and services. You will also get basic smartwatch capabilities such as syncing notifications for email, calls, calendar, and text. Also with text, you will be able to send canned responses from the Gear Fit 2 directly.
Gear Fit 2 Sill Android Only with 3 – 4 Days Battery Life.
The Gear Fit will be only compatible with Android 4.4 devices and higher, and there will be no iOS support currently. Maybe that will change down the line, but I doubt it. Also, battery life will go about 3-4 days with average usage according to Samsung.
The Gear Fit 2 will be available on June 10th for $179.
The Gear IconX Are True Wire Free Earbuds For Fitness
Samsung debut a new pair of earbuds focused on fitness the Gear IconX. These Bluetooth 4.1 enabled earbuds have no wire connecting them, include an accelerometer and heart rate sensor and 4GB of storage. The have a rechargeable case to keep them powered on the go. Just like the Gear Fit 2, they will also sync your workout data to S Health and other select fitness apps. There is also a voice guide that will provide you feedback on your workout. Also, this will only be compatible with Android 4.4 devices with no iOS support.
The Gear IconX is expected to be available later this summer, and pricing hasn’t been announced yet.
Samsung Brings More Focus To Their Fitness Devices.
Samsung seems to be attacking fitness with more focus this go around with the Gear Fit 2 and Gear IconX. They appear to fit in the category of casual fitness user and those that want some style with their fitness devices. I believe the Gear Fit 2 is the price well enough that it can compete against Fitbit and the Microsoft Band. Let me know what you think. Do you believe that this new push is going to give Samsung a better edge in the fitness market? Comment Below.
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