Hasta La Gadget!

Samsung is definitely going to release updated variants of its products in 2014 and those interested in wearable technology are anxiously to see just what the company will introduce with its next generation smartwatch, which we’ll call Galaxy Gear 2. Only recently Samsung pushed out a major firmware update for Galaxy Gear to improve its notifications feature. The smartwatch was launched in September this year alongside the Galaxy Note 3, and if local media reports coming in from Korea are correct, the Galaxy Gear 2 might partner up with the Galaxy S5 which according to another recent rumor is due to be released in March 2014.

There have been reports of Galaxy Gear not selling well, critics of the product can definitely find faults in it. Some say that the smartwatch is too thick, and Samsung just might have something to appease them. Rumor has it that the Galaxy Gear 2 is going to be 15-20 percent thinner than the existing smartwatch, which would quite frankly be a welcome step. It hasn’t been said as yet what additional improvements we can expect from Galaxy Gear 2, so we’ll just have to wait and see if there are any further leaks about the smartwatch. Samsung claims that it has sold over 800,000 units of the Galaxy Gear, perhaps it can sell even more if the smartwatch is much thinner, lighter and has even more features.

Galaxy Gear 2 Will Reportedly Be Launched Alongside Galaxy S5 original content from Ubergizmo.

If one were to list possible uses for a smartwatch, controlling a television set just might make the list. The Samsung Galaxy Gear can already do a lot of things, such as taking photos and displaying full notifications and now it can control TVs as well thanks to the Smart Remote app. The app has been developed by Samsung and Peel, who make the WatchOn app found on the former’s devices. Smart Remote basically controls WatchOn app on the smartphone, since the IR blaster on Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 already allow users to control their TV sets.

The advantage of having Smart Remote on Galaxy Gear is that users don’t have to keep their Galaxy S4 or Note 3 in their hands all the time, though they will need to place it as such that the IR blaster is facing the TV. That’s because the signal to switch channels, control volume or even power off will go through the device’s IR blaster given the fact that Galaxy Gear does not have one of its own. Those who’re interested can download the app on their smartwatch from the Gear Manager app on their smartphone, the smartwatch must be paired for the app to install. Smart Remote is hosted on Samsung Apps. [Image via Sammobile]

Control TV From Galaxy Gear Using Smart Remote App original content from Ubergizmo.

Thanks to the folks at the XDA Developers forum, it seems that the Samsung Galaxy Gear has gotten its first custom ROM. The custom ROM was developed by an XDA member who goes by the handle, fOmey, who based the ROM on the MK7 ROM. The ROM for the Galaxy Gear has since been given the name “null” and will incorporate a couple of features that should make the device a tad more appealing, or at least give would-be customers a reason to get their hands on the device if they are able to access different and newer features not being offered by Samsung’s own software.

The ROM will allow for installation of other launchers, such as Nova Launcher, and will also support the installation of native Android apps, although given the Galaxy Gear’s small display, we’re not sure if the end result will be functional or simply novel. The ROM will also allow for Bluetooth tethering, allowing you to browse the web on your watch, but once again we’re not sure if this would be very ideal. In any case if you’re interested in learning more about the ROM, or possibly downloading it and flashing it on your Galaxy Gear, hit up the XDA forums for the details.

So far the Galaxy Gear has not had much success when it comes to customers purchasing the device, although the idea of flashing a custom ROM does sound appealing, although we guess more developers out there need to get on board with the idea so that users will have more options to choose from.

Samsung Galaxy Gear Gets Its First Custom ROM original content from Ubergizmo.

Acknowledged, a full web browser may not be the most useful thing to run on a 1.6-inch touchscreen, but that’s almost not the point here. What matters is that Samsung’s Galaxy Gear smartwatch now has its own custom ROM, courtesy of an XDA member called fOmey. The modded software side-steps a number of the manufacturer’s locks and limitations, letting the device run third-party apps, widgets, wallpapers and interfaces like Nova Launcher. Bluetooth tethering is enabled too, apparently allowing the watch to grab a web connection from any smartphone that supports the protocol. It’s hard to say for sure how smoothly it all runs, due to a lack of feedback from Gear owners so far (or perhaps a lack of Gear owners, period), but you’ll find full instructions at the source link if you want to give it a go.

Filed under: Wearables, Mobile, Samsung

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Via: Android Community

Source: XDA Developers (Forum)

Back in September, Samsung unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch, which was a way for the South Korea tech giant to capitalize on the fact that smartwatches appear to be trending these days. Unfortunately despite Samsung’s best intentions, recent reports have surfaced suggesting that the Galaxy Gear’s sales are anything but stellar. According to a post by BusinessKorea, it was said that the sales of the Galaxy Gear are “far below the initial expectations” that some had expected of the device.

In fact so far since its launch back in September, the Galaxy Gear has only managed to sell a total of 50,000 units, which in all honesty seems like a drop of water in the ocean especially compared to the millions of devices Samsung has managed to move in a week, let alone a few months. Apparently the Galaxy Gear is only selling anywhere between 800-900 units a day, which given Samsung’s presence in the world, is very low. We have heard how the Galaxy Gear has had a 30% return rate by unsatisfied customers, although we’re not sure if it’s either Samsung’s product is just not up to scratch, or if the world just isn’t ready for such devices yet. What do you guys think? A combination of both, perhaps?

Samsung Has Only Managed To Muster 50,000 Galaxy Gear Sales To Date original content from Ubergizmo.