The compatibility of a smart watch with the smartphones and tablets that surround it is something totally essential for its success. Therefore, it is always positive to know that the Samsung Galaxy Gear It will become compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S4 at the end of next October, when the Samsung Galaxy S4 updates to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.
And the information does not come from any rumor that circulates on the Internet, but from a Samsung source that is quite relevant. This is one of the executive vice presidents, specifically that of the marketing division, Lee Young-hee, who has affirmed that the new smartwatch will already be compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S4 from the end of next October. And it is not that the smart watch is not currently compatible, because we can connect the Galaxy Gear to the Galaxy S4. However, the really useful compatibility is the one that allows us to make use of the applications that can be installed at the Galaxy Gear, and for this it is necessary that both devices work with the transfer protocol Bluetooth 4.0 LE.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 will now be fully compatible with the Samsung Galaxy Gear when it can work with this transfer protocol. And the activation of this system will come precisely when the Firmware update that has been so eagerly awaited. That is to say, when the Samsung Galaxy S4 updates to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, it will already be compatible with the Samsung Galaxy Gear. In the same way, the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3 will not be compatible with the smartwatch until they have received the firmware update. In the case of the latter, December is still the date on which they will update, although the Galaxy Note 2 could also receive an update in October or November. For now, we will still have to wait.
Expanded compatibility and phased rollout
Samsung has made it official that the Galaxy Gear It will be able to be used with more phones in the house. In addition to the Note 3 launch, the watch will be fully compatible with Galaxy S4, S III and Note II by Android 4.3 updateThe company also announced in its event's audience that compatibility will be extended to other models such as Galaxy mini S4, S4 Active, S4 Zoom and families Mega 5.8 y 6.3 through a separate software update. The rollout is gradual, and specific dates depend on each country and operator.
What does this compatibility provide? Once paired, you'll be able to do and answer calls, watch messages and notifications and use applications designed for the watch, including the phone's camera and music controls. Before the update, basic features such as changing watch faces, creating alarms, and transferring images already worked with the Galaxy S4. The full experience requires Bluetooth 4.0 LE and the app Galaxy Wearable (formerly Gear Manager).
With these requirements and the arrival of the corresponding firmware, the duo Galaxy Gear y Galaxy S4 offers a more useful, fluid and coherent integration for everyday life.
