Samsung is actively looking in to bringing iOS support to its latest smartwatch, the Gear S2, according to a report from Digital Spy. The UK-based site spoke with one of the company’s spokespeople who confirmed that it was “positively looking into opening it up.”
Apart from the Samsung Gear Live — one of the earliest Android Wear watches — all of the Korean tech giant’s Gear wearables have been restricted to use with Galaxy smartphones only. The Gear S2 is the first Tizen-based Samsung smartwatch to support Android, and could end up being the first to support the iPhone too. That’s if the “looking in to” actually turns in to “on the market”.
“We are looking at possibilities to open it up to iOS,” the spokesperson told us while discussing the Gear S2. They added: “Because we opened it up to Android, we are looking at this.”
This report comes just a few days after Google announced that all Android Wear watches going forward would support iOS. If the Gear S2 was to add iPhone support, that would leave the Apple Watch as one of the only wearables from a big tech manufacturer not to be cross-platform. Perhaps more importantly, with a Samsung-made smartwatch being iOS compatible, it would directly compete with the Apple Watch for iPhone user market share.
Samsung announced the Gear S2 at a pre-IFA event in Berlin, Germany and the device has been well received by the press. The Gear S2 has a round 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 360 x 360 (302ppi). It’s powered by one of Sammy’s in-house Exynos processors and will be available as a 3G model too. It’s IP68 certified water resistant, has 4GB storage, 512GB RAM and a 250mAh battery. Like the Apple Watch, you can control it by voice or touchscreen as well as that interesting rotating bezel.
Our own Dom Esposito got his hands on it after the announcement, and even he’s comparing it favorably with Apple’s wearable device (video below).
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsJNyDf1B9k]
It’s worth iterating that just because Samsung says it’s “looking in to” something, doesn’t mean the company will definitely bring the feature to market. We’d advise you not to hold your breathe just yet. A Gear S2 that connects to your iPhone could still be a long way off.
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I like the design it leaves more free view on the screen instead of covering it up with your finger while navigating through the watch, and i hope all of those wearables manufactures will end up making their watch available across all platform that would be great, i definitely can see myself wearing a square watch or a circular watch depending on my mood or way of dressing or specific event or day; and because i’m have the Gucci Grammy Award edition I’m already loving the Gear S2…
Samesung makes the fugliest watches! What a POS!
It’s actually not that bad looking, having that rotating bezel was probably smarter than a digital crown. Even though Apple tried going for the classic feel of a watch, it seems like there’s a hassle pressing on the side of the digital crown.
Troll.
This will be the first Samsung product I want
Galaxy Note 2 ——> iPhone 6+ 2012——>2014 ;-)
I can’t stand it when companies follow the “if society does is it, then…” rule. This stands for all of them. Re-innovation is not the same thing as innovation. Just because a company makes the “first” of something, it doesn’t mean “hey, I am gonna try to beat them to it,” or, “maybe, just maybe… I could do it better.” Make something new that has nothing to do with what other competitors are doing. Then, by the grace of ingenuity, hard work, and patience, you will create a product that not only surprises the market, but yourself.
“breath”.
A round shape is a nice shape for a watch face however. Not really sure if the rotating bezel would be great for most things tho. Still, something to look forward to for iPhone owners who wanted a minimal smart watch to look like a real, round watch.
Yawn it’s going to be cobbled just like Pebble and Android wear. Apple has zero incentive to make competitors hardware integrate with iPhone was well as Apple’s own hardware does.
That’s why you can connect iPhone to Windows PC?
Android Wear especially Moto 360 is way Much Much Better than this shit. Ugliest rounded design.
With both Android Wear and probably this and future Samsung Tizen smartwatches all becoming iOS compatible, Apple’s going to have a hard time trying to sell its own more expensive and plainer looking (if more functional) Watch going forward. Unless they reduce the base price and support other platforms too.
I suppose if you’re that hard up for a round smartwatch this might be good news but there are so many things those users will be missing out on. Siri integration, Apple Music, Apple Pay, Apple TV, etc.
I like the look of the Gear S2 round case. And I like that the Tizen OS has a consistent dark style. That is a major flaw with Android Wear imo where screens can go from black to bright white. But the Gear S2 screen is smaller than the 42 mm Apple Watch and that may be an issue with visibility.
– Still the biggest limitation is that any 3rd party smartwatch on iOS will be locked down like the Pebble. If a user doesn’t mind just a basic smartwatch experience, then the Gear S2 or Android Wear could be acceptable.
– But Apple could also take care of this round watch competition by coming out with two types of Apple Watches, the current square one and another with a round watch face. (I don’t know how feasible that would be in terms of Apple Watch software though.)
WE are much too attached to the notion that a watch HAS to be round – it is indeed quite the wrong dial shape for a smart-watch since only the mid section can contain several words. And there have been square mechanical watches before now, so “square” is not entirely belonging to the new breed of smart watch.
You won’t be saying that when Apple release a round Apple Watch. Which they will, eventually.
As usual. Once apple releases their round watch every sheep will praise it for its smart design.
” It’s IP68 certified water resistant, has 4GB storage, 512GB RAM and a 250mAh battery. ”
That should be 512MB I think ;)
“…with a Samsung-made smartwatch being iOS compatible, it would directly compete with the Apple Watch for iPhone user market share.”
I highly doubt that would ever happen… just read any of the many Android Wear for iOS reviews to get a sense of just how hard it is to compete with a first party accessory that has access to private interfaces that third party accessories do not have access to.