Samsung Gear 2 shows off its new Tizen interface (photos)
Samsung has a new smartwatch in the form of the Gear 2. Instead of Android, it's running on Samsung's own Tizen software.
Andrew Lanxon
Andrew is CNET's go-to guy for product coverage and lead photographer for Europe. When not testing the latest phones, he can normally be found with his camera in hand, behind his drums or eating his stash of home-cooked food. Sometimes all at once.
The Samsung Gear 2 is the latest, greatest smartwatch from the mobile giant. Unlike its predecessor, the Gear 2 doesn't run on Android, but instead uses Samsung's own Tizen software, but there are a bunch of other changes too that make it a more exciting prospect than the original model
Samsung hasn't yet announced how much the Gear 2 will cost or indeed where it will be on sale, but keep it CNET for all the latest news.
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The front of the watch now features a physical home button, rather than making you use the rather clunky gestures from the first Galaxy Gear.
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The camera no longer sits on the strap, but has been incorporated in the watch body.
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The camera on the old strap made it look a bit bizarre.
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A heart rate monitor is underneath the watch. It doesn't check pressure, it uses special lights to actually 'see' the blood flowing through your veins. Creepy.
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Android is a thing of the past on the Gear 2. It now runs Tizen, an operating system pioneered by Samsung.
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The interface uses much of the same graphics, although it's a lot more colourful now.
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Swiping left and right will take you through the various options.
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It still has a metal surround and I still think it looks quite sleek.
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The watch has 4GB of on board storage to allow you to listen to music without having to pair it with your phone.
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This leather strap was beautifully supply. It felt very comfortable to wear.
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Samsung will have a whole host of different straps -- and different patterns -- to choose from.
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Combine the heart rate monitor and the built in pedometer and the Gear 2 looks like it could be a great fitness partner.
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There's really no excuse to still be sat on your couch.
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It's slimmer and lighter than the first Gear.
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The screen size and resolution remains the same however.
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It'll be available in silver, grey or rose gold -- each will have a variety of straps to match the colour scheme.
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The industrial-style exposed screwheads of the first gear are gone.
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The Gear 2 has a little brother, the Gear 2 Neo. It's much the same but it doesn't have a camera.
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Both models have infra-red blasters on the top to control your TV. We've basically come full circle back to those awesome Casio watch from the 90s that could also control your TV. Technology, eh?
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Both Gear 2s have physical home buttons.
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If you don't actually put it on your skin, the heart rate monitor won't play ball.
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Although it's managing to read something here.
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The metal contact points mean that you'll still need a separate charging cradle in order to charge the watch.
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Going to an important business meeting? Switch to a classy leather strap.
