Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Gear smartwatch will be getting a second generation but there will be some differences. Rumours that the device will feature the company’s Tizen operating system have turned out to be correct after all as Samsung has announced two new smartwatches featuring the OS.
The two new devices, called the Galaxy Gear 2 and the Galaxy Gear 2 Neo, feature a similar collection of specifications with the major difference being that the Gear 2 Neo will not feature the 2MP camera that will be available on the Gear 2.
Otherwise, both smartwatches will feature a 1.63-inch SAMOLED display (320 x 320), a 1GHz processor and 512MB of system memory with 4GB of storage. On the actual features front, the pair of intelligent wristwear will have heart-rate sensors and a pedometer, as well as a range of software. A voice memo app, calculator and Samsung’s ChatON messaging app will be available and the watch will provide notifications, have S-Voice and media controller support and a few other things besides. Ars Technica also reports that, in spite of Samsung adding in a smaller battery this time around, the company claims that the new smartwatches will feature a time between charges to two to three says.
Only time will tell whether Samsung’s Linux-based Tizen OS will provide a better experience than that afforded by the first Galaxy Gear but the timeframe for that runs until April, when the Galaxy Gear 2 and the Gear 2 Neo will be getting a global rollout. Samsung have yet to price the devices but since the Neo is missing a camera, it’s probably going to be the cheaper option.
Source: Ars Technica