Android Wear has long supported iOS devices but unfortunately Samsung’s latest and greatest devices do not run Android Wear. They run Tizen and whether that is a good or bad thing is an argument for another time. The fact is the Samsung wearables are great looking devices, possibly the best of all the wearables around at the moment and now everyone can enjoy them.
Finishing off at CES 2017, Samsung have announced iOS compatibility with their latest Gear devices, the Gear S3, the Gear S3 and the Gear Fit2. To use these Samsung wearables with a compatible iOS device the user must download the Samsung Gear S app from the Apple App store and follow the instructions to pair the Samsung wearable device.
Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, Mobile
Communications at Samsung Electronics said that:
We’re constantly looking for ways to enhance our offerings and we do this in part by listening to what our customers want – and that includes greater access to our cutting-edge wearable technologies with iOS support. By offering Android and iOS compatibility with our latest Gear devices, we’re giving users more ways to optimize their wearable experiences and connect to Samsung’s Galaxy of possibilities.
At this stage it does not appear that all functions are available, but considering that Samsung have far too many functions on their wearables I don’t see this as a bad thing. It is good to see Samsung expanding availability and now iOS users will have a choice of whatever wearable they want, although many still seem to choose the Fisher-Price-looking Apple watch for some unknown reason.
We loved the Samsung wearables here at Ausdroid and although they do not run Android Wear they are still devices that should be given close consideration when deciding on a new wearable. I still maintain that the Gear Fit2 is the best fitband/wearable around in the current market.
Will you be telling your iOS friends to go out and buy a Samsung wearable? Or does the fact that it would work with both your iOS and Android device put a big tick next to it?
