Samsung brings Gear S3 features to the Gear S2 in latest update

New bezel skills, improved fitness tracking and S3 watch faces all make the cut
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Samsung has just released a pretty major update for the Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic that adds some of the best new features included on the Gear S3.

While built-in GPS isn't going to magically appear on your smaller Samsung smartwatch, that rotating bezel will become as smart as it is on the S3 and a whole lot more.

The headline news is that you'll now be able to use the bezel to accept or reject calls, dismiss alarms, timers and alerts just like you can on the Frontier and Classic.

Essential reading: Samsung Gear S3 tips, tricks and hidden features

New Gear S3 watch faces also make an appearance, which can be downloaded from the Samsung app store while widget support has been improved for third party widgets including Uber, Yelp and USA Today. You can now also access an enhanced weather widget as well as S Health's leaderboard and challenges widgets.

Staying on the S Health front, Samsung has followed up its Gear Fit2 update by adding the same automatic exercise detection for a series of activities including walking, running and cycling. There's also rep counting for squats and crunches, pace coaching, a stretching guide and a smart Auto Pause mode that stops the workout when you're taking a breather.

Samsung brings Gear S3 features to the Gear S2 in latest update

To make communicating from your watch a little easier, handwriting recognition has also been added to the mix with support for English, Korean and Chinese. That's joined by the ability to sketch responses, send emojis and record and send voice messages.

Location tracking support has been added to bring the new SOS feature over from the S3 letting you quickly press the home button three times to raise the alarm to emergency contacts. In the apps department, you can now download Reminder and Alti-Barometer apps as well as play new games that utilise the rotating bezel including Monster Vampires.

The over the air update has already started to roll out worldwide and at just 113MB, you shouldn't have to wait too long to get some Gear S3 goodness on your Gear S2.

Source: Samsung

Samsung brings Gear S3 features to the Gear S2 in latest update




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Michael Sawh

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Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.

He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.

Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech. 

Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.


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