Samsung Gear S2 Value Pack Software Update Lands Today

Starting today, December 5, Samsung is breathing more life into the Tizen-powered Gear S2 smartwatch launched last year by releasing a new “Value Pack” software update. The package introduces new features originally launched on the Samsung Gear S3 sequel, including new customization options, better activity tracking, improved widget support and more.

First things first, following the Value Pack update, Samsung Gear S2 users will have more customization options at their disposal via the Galaxy Apps store, where they can download the Gear S3’s original watch faces. After applying the software package, Gear S2 users will also have the ability to accept or reject calls, as well as dismiss alerts and timers by rotating the bezel clockwise or counterclockwise. Furthermore, a wider range of applications from the Galaxy Apps store can now be downloaded on the Gear S2, including the Alti-Barometer app for tracking air pressure and outdoor activities, as well as the Reminders app. The Value Pack also includes support for third-party widgets such as Uber, Yelp, and USA Today, and improves existing widgets including Weather, which now features a “City Navigation” function and provides information regarding rainfall probability and UV index. The S Health application has been enhanced as well, and is now able to automatically recognize more activities such as cycling, running, elliptical and rowing-machine sessions, and high-intensity activities. The app now includes an Auto Pause feature and a new Pace Couching function.

Samsung Gear S2 owners who would like to use their devices for quickly replying to messages are in for a treat as well. The Messages app now includes Handwriting Mode in English, Chinese, and Korean, as well as a new voice-input option allowing users to send both voice recordings and dictated texts. Samsung also mentions that the functionality of S Voice on the Gear S2 has been improved by allowing the device to process voice commands in real time, reducing unnecessary feedback screens and leading to an overall better experience. In addition, the update includes location-tracking support giving users the option to press the home button three times to initiate an SOS alert to those designated to receive it, and last but not least, following the update, Samsung Gear S2 users will have access to a wide range of games through the Galaxy Apps store. The Samsung Gear S2 Value Pack update is now available in select markets and availability will continue to expand worldwide in the coming weeks.

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Huawei may offer Tizen smartwatch in the near future

Tizen is an operating system based on the Linux kernel and the GNU C library implementing the Linux API.

Huawei smartwatches.

The Tizen operating system has been confined to Samsung devices up till now. However, it seems like Huawei is planning on entering this segment.

According to reports originating from Korean newspaper JoongAnd Ilbo, Huawei is considering offering a smartwatch powered by the Tizen operating system. This would make sense especially given how Google’s Android Wear 2.0 has been postponed to 2017.

“Tizen Experts went on to say that Huawei was one of the initial partners of the Tizen Association and is now considering working with Samsung, which has released several devices with the OS. However, there is no indication if the shift to using Tizen will see all future smartwatches from Huawei running on it or just one or two devices, such as the Huawei Watch 2,” reported Tech Times.

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Samsung to launch the Tizen powered Z2 Smartphone in Kenya at just $60

Samsung recently launched their Z2 smartphone in India, which is the company’s Tizen-based smartphone.  In India, the device is priced at 4,590 INR and is available to purchase exclusively from PayTM & Samsung’s retail stores. Interestingly, the device comes with the Jio Preview offer as well. According to new reports, the company is going to launch the smartphone in Kenya as well.

However, the exact pricing details are not available yet, but the Samsung Electronics East Africa has given a teaser which pretty much discloses the price at which it would be available. Samsung Electronics East Africa held an event in Nairobi, where they showcased the Tizen OS. This is where the device was hinted. They also disclosed the device would carry a price tag hovering around Ksh. 6,000 (about $60) in Kenya. Note that the Z1 smartphone, which launched previously is now retailing in India for that price and the Z2 is currently retailing more than that. So now we just have to wait and see, when the device actually launches there. Stay tuned for more info on this.

Earlier: Samsung launched its latest Tizen-based smartphone Samsung Z2 today in India. The Phone comes bundled with the JIO Preview 4G offer which means that you won’t have to visit a reliance store to grab a SIM as it would be bundled with this Smartphone. As we mentioned earlier, the device is priced at just Rs 4,590 (approx $68) and is the first Tizen powered smartphone to come with 4G LTE support.

It is the third device in the Samsung Z series; earlier it had launched the Samsung Z1 and Samsung Z3 smartphone that runs on the in-house Tizen OS. The Tizen devices gained some good market share in the South Asian markets like India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Talking about the device, it comes with the model number SM-Z200F and features very basic specifications.

From the above image, we can see the volume rocker on the left edge while the power button sits on the right edge. It comes with a polycarbonate body with textured finished curved back panel. On the front is a 4-inch display and comes with WVGA (800 x 480) resolution. The Samsung Z3 that was launched in October last year came with a 5-inch HD AMOLED display. It is priced at Rs. 8,490 at the time of launch, but it is now retailing at just Rs. 5,590.

The Samsung Z2 comes with dual SIM and supports 4G VoLTE while the Samsung Z3 is just limited to just 3G connectivity. It comes powered by a quad-core processor clocked at 1.5Ghz and coupled with 1GB of RAM. There is 8GB of internal storage that can be expanded with the MicroSD card slot. Even with just 8GB of storage, there are several pre-installed apps like Cricbuzz, Ola, Quikr, DailyHunt, Asphalt, Danger Dash and more.

The Samsung Z2 is backed by a 1,500mAh battery that might not last more than a day of usage. In the camera department, there is a 5MP rear camera & a VGA front camera. Since the device supports 4G VoLTE, the company is also offering Jio 4G preview offer. The device comes in Wine Red, Black, and Gold color options. It is exclusively sold through PayTM and Samsung Retail stores starting from August 29th.

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Samsung Tizen Z3 - Technical Specifications

General

• Device Type
  Smartphone
• Model
  Tizen Z3
• Announced
  01 October 2015
• Released
  01 October 2015
• Status
  Available
• Price
  Rs. 8490 ($ 126 approx)

Design

• Type
  Bar
• Dimensions
  141.6 x 70 x 7.9 mm
• Weight
  137 g
• Colors Availability
  Black, Silver, Gold

Network

• 2G Network
  GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
• 3G Network
  HSDPA 900 / 2100
• SIM
  Micro SIM
• Dual SIM

Display

• Display Type
  Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen
• Size
  5.0 inches
• Resolution
  720 x 1280 pixels
• Colors
  16 M colors
• Pixel Density
  ~294 ppi
• Touch Screen
  Yes, Multitouch

Hardware

• Chipset
  Spreadtrum
• CPU
  Quad-core 1.3 GHz
• GPU
  microSD, up to 128 GB
• RAM (Memory)
  1 GB
• Internal Storage
  8 GB
• Card Slot
  microSD, up to 128 GB
• Sensors
  Accelerometer, proximity

Software

• Operating System
  Tizen OS, v2.3, upgradable to v2.4
• Java Support
  No
• Facebook
• Youtube

Camera

• Primary
  8 MP
• Video
  720p@30fps
• Camera Features
  Geo-tagging, face detection, panorama, HDR
• Flash
  LED flash
• Secondary
  5 MP

Media

• Alert Types
  Vibration; MP3, WAV ringtones
• Loudspeaker
  Yes
• Handsfree
  3.5mm jack
• Audio Playback
  MP3/WAV/AAC/Flac player
• Video Playback
  MP4/H.264 player
• FM Radio

Connectivity

• Bluetooth
  v4.0, A2DP, LE
• Infrared
• Wi-fi
  Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct
• Wi-fi Hotspot
• USB
  microUSB v2.0, USB On-The-Go
• GPS
  Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS
• NFC
• HDMI

Data

• GPRS
• EDGE
• Speed
  HSPA
• Web Browser
  HTML

Messaging

• SMS
  Yes (threaded view)
• MMS
• Email
  Yes
• IM

Battery

• Battery Type
  Li-Ion (Lithium Ion)
• Capacity
  2600 mAh
• Placement
  Removable
• Talk Time
  Up to 15 h (3G)
• Music Play
  Up to 55 h

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Samsung to use Tizen OS for Gear 3 smartwatch, pivots away from Android Wear

Samsung recently unveiled its Gear Fit 2 fitness tracker and new wireless earbuds. The company's next smartwatch codenamed "Solis" will probably become Gear S3. It will also run on Tizen OS like Gear S2, which makes it dubious Samsung is loyal to the Android Wear platform.

The name "Solis" could have various meanings. It could refer to the sun. Another theory is it could imply that the new smartwatch will have a round watch face after Gear S2 had moderately more success than the blocky design of the first version of the wrist wearable.

"Solis" might also refer to the smartphone's design shown in two recently leaked photos. The smartwatches seem to have bezels that look like the sun's rays.

However, it is unclear whether or not the leaked photos are real. The images reportedly look too close to a real and expensive timepiece that is not related to Samsung or smartwatches, according to Slash Gear.

It is unclear how the smartwatch industry will make the wearables more attractive. Companies seem to be focusing on designing devices that are bigger and faster.

It is not surprising that Gear 3 will run on Tizen. However, there are many rumors about whether the Korean conglomerate plans to switch all phones, tablets and smartwatches to Tizen.

Samsung has claimed that it has not changed its commitment to smart watch platforms. However, this does not seem the case since it is not launching a new Android Wear Gear.

The company is reportedly also studying how its future Galaxy smartphones and other models could function without Google's Android OS. Switching to Tizen OS would give it more control over the hardware and software of its handsets. This would increase its profit margins.

Samsung has been making a lot of money for the Alphabet subsidiary by using its Android platform. That is through downloaded content and Google services such as Google Maps.

Samsung's goal is to be more like Apple by having more control of its ecosystem. However, there are a few possible issues.

Android is a tried and tested operating system that millions of people around the world are used to using, according to Know Your Mobile.

Another possible problem is Samsung phones without Google Play. Like Microsoft's Windows Phone, it might be difficult for Samsung to convince developers to make Tizen apps.

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Samsung Gear S3 “Solis” will unsurprisingly run Tizen

Early this month, Samsung revealed the Gear Fit 2 alongside a curious Gear IconX earbuds. That would have probably raised questions on whether Samsung also has plans for that other kind of wearable device. Of course it does, and it even has a codename for it. Dubbed "Solis", the smartwatch will most likely be named the Gear S3 after its predecessor. And like its predecessor, it will be running on Tizen, which raises questions on Samsung's actual commitment to the Android Wear platform.

The name "Solis" could be interpreted to mean a good many things. From the word for the "sun", the implication is that it will be a round-faced smartwatch once again. It's almost inconceivable that Samsung would return to a blocky design after the relatively higher success rate of its Gear S2. A rotary dial is probably also already in the books.

The name might also be a hint towards its design, at least based on this pair of leaked photos. The very premium looking watches do seem to have bezels that resemble the sun's rays. There are some, however, that are calling this leak a hoax, considering how it looks too similar to an actual existing, not to mention very expensive, timepiece that has nothing to do with Samsung or smartwatches for that matter.

This leaves the door open for possibilities, as well as questions. At this point, it isn't exactly clear what improvements can still be done on smartwatches to actually make them more appealing, especially when it comes to hardware. The lack of innovative new designs and features is perhaps telling of how the market has quickly become a competition over larger and faster. It seems that the race might switch over to platform really soon.

That the Gear S3 would be running on Tizen is really no surprise, but the news does come at a time when Samsung's motives for that OS is being put under a microscope. Rumors are surfacing again that the Korean manufacturer is eying moving its whole hardware portfolio over to Tizen, which is perhaps easier now that there are extremely few members of the Tizen Alliance left. Samsung earlier stated that it hasn't changed its commitment to smartwatch platforms, but the lack of a new Android Wear Gear weighs heavily against it.

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Samsung to shift from Android to Tizen OS for mobile devices: report

Samsung is trying to push its Tizen based chain in the Indian marker by steadily releasing cheaper mobile phones.

One of the world’s largest smartphone manufacturers Samsung is expanding its Tizen OS in all company devices including smartphones in an attempt to reduce reliance on Google’s Android, according to a company executive.

According to a report on Korea Times, the executive, who wished not to be named, said a company has ‘no future’ without a pragmatic ecosystem. It’s a known fact that Google’s Android is used by a majority of smartphones and now that third-party developers are included, the platform is growing exponentially.

On the other hand, Apple, Samsung’s biggest rival in the mobile space, also has a ecosystem of its own, in-house iOS, which is also gaining significant thrust. Amid all this, Samsung is not only losing out on expanding its native OS but also depending heavily on Android.

The company were a tad late in developing its native ecosystem, said the executive added that “Samsung is doing much better now.”

Since the inception of Tiizen, the company has weaved a chain of applications surrounding it, including Android Pay on Samsung wearable devices. Currently, the company is trying to push its Tizen based chain in the Indian marker by steadily releasing cheaper mobile phones.

He also said that Samsung’s Tizen-powered phones are popular with Indian consumers and during the first quarter of this year, the company sold about 64 million phones there. Tizen, he feels, is proving its competitiveness over due course.

Hinting about more additions to TIzen, he said that more incentives and support will be added to Tizen developers but did not spill out the beans entirely.


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Samsung puts Tizen into signage for the first time

After putting Tizen on smartphones and smart TVs, Samsung has installed its self-developed OS into outdoor signage for the first time.

Samsung has unveiled indoor and outdoor signage that is powered by its own Tizen operating system (OS) -- the first time the platform is being used outside of smartphones and TVs.

The South Korean tech giant has previously stressed that Tizen would be a platform that will be used outside the smartphone. Cameras and tablets with the OS were launched first in 2013. The Z1, the first commercial phone with the platform, launched in India in 2015 and was a considerable success.

It has installed the OS on the majority of its TVs since 2015 as well.

Shown at Infocomm 2016 in Las Vegas, the indoor signage, part of its P series, is 29.9mm thin and comes in 700 nit and 500 nit versions. The outdoor signage of its OHF series has a PC embedded in it and is IP56 water- and dust-proof.

The company said it has changed the UX on the new signage accompanying the change to Tizen. It supports HTML5, its own API, and Samsung Smart Signage Platform, a service program that help clients manage their signage.

Samsung said it plans to expand the application of the Tizen platform on more of its smart signage lineups.

The company is expanding its enterprise display business, which includes signage, LEDs, and new technology.

It installed a large LED scoreboard for a ballpark in South Korea in April, and last month installed mirror displays in a barbershop franchise in the country.

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Samsung is done with Android Wear watches, says Tizen is the future

As one of the world's biggest electronics manufacturers, Samsung is an important partner if you're trying to get traction for a nascent operating system. When it comes to smartwatches, Google will have to make do without the Korean juggernaut—Samsung says it's done with Android Wear.

After a chat with Samsung executives, a report from Fast Company says that "no more Samsung Android Wear devices are in development or being planned." Samsung apparently sees its in-house operating system, Tizen, as the wearable future. The report says that Samsung executives are going with Tizen because it's "far more battery-efficient than Android Wear" and "the standard OS on other Samsung products from TVs to refrigerators."
Samsung has given Android Wear a single try: the square "Galaxy Gear Live" smartwatch, which was one of the first Android Wear devices. For Tizen, the company has released the Gear S2, the Gear S, the Gear 2, and the Galaxy Gear. Android Wear recently launched a developer preview of version 2.0, which features an all-new design, new text input options, and more standalone functionality for watches with LTE modems.

Without Samsung in the mix, the Android Wear has seen hardware entries from Motorola, Huawei, LG, and even regular watch brands like Tag Heuer. Tizen, on the other hand, has a single hardware vendor: Samsung. Can Tizen really survive with only Samsung behind it?

Update: Samsung responded to this with the following message: “Samsung has not made any announcement concerning Android Wear and we have not changed our commitment to any of our platforms.”

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Samsung's Tizen 3.0 to take on Android and iOS starting in September

Many alternative mobile operating systems like Firefox have fallen by the wayside while Android and iOS continue to dominate, but Samsung's Tizen has survived.

After years of inactivity, Tizen is now back on the map with a major OS upgrade. A new version of the OS -- Tizen 3.0 -- was announced this week at the Samsung Developers Conference in San Francisco.

Tizen 3.0 is a big technological upgrade that should make it compatible with some of the latest smartphones and tablets. Other improvements prime the OS for installation in smart appliances, wearables, in-car entertainment systems, drones, TVs, and virtual reality headsets.

Tizen 3.0 will be a 64-bit capable OS, like iOS and Android. It will work on devices with some of the latest 64-bit ARM and x86 processors.

A beta release of Tizen 3.0 may come in July, with a final release planned for September. Devices with the OS will ship later, though Samsung couldn't nail down a specific date.

Tizen 3.0 will work with 4K screens, and it could be a good gaming platform with its support for Vulkan APIs. The graphics engine in Tizen 3.0 is 30 percent faster than the one in the older Tizen 2.4 OS.

Tizen was first announced in 2012 as a mobile OS but has been considered a failure in that market. Two smartphones with the older Tizen 2.4 shipped in India, said Mohan Rao, senior vice president at Samsung.

Samsung is using Tizen in smart TVs and wearables like the Gear S2. Rao hinted at a continued mobile focus with Tizen 3.0 but said the operating system's future could be in the emerging Internet of Things market.

Tizen 3.0 is "IoT ready" and will power smart refrigerators, light bulbs, washing machines, and even vacuum cleaners, Rao said. Samsung could start shipping home appliances with the OS

Samsung estimates 21 billion connected devices will be in the market by 2020. Tizen 3.0 will be compatible with Samsung's Artik developer boards, which can be used to make smart devices. Samsung this week also announced Artik Cloud, which offers cloud services for IoT devices.

Tizen 3.0 is similar to Windows 10, in that a developer can write applications that can work with large- and small-screen devices. The OS is based on the Linux LTS (long-term support) kernel, making it stable.

Key improvements in Tizen 3.0 include support for Bluetooth 4.2, which is central to communication between IoT devices. The OS also supports Open Connectivity Foundation's IoTivity protocol, which allows for easy pairing of compatible devices.

The OS will have APIs for face and emotion recognition. It will have voice control, as well as engines to convert speech to text and vice versa. With voice control, developers could add voice-activated assistants, much like Cortana in Windows PCs and Siri in Apple's iPhone.

Tizen 3.0 is also more secure compared to the previous version. It will have an antivirus framework for screening content and applications.

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Number of Member Companies in Tizen Alliance Decreases from 10 to 4

The Tizen Alliance, which was established by Samsung and Intel to develop the third operation system (OS), is tottering as its key member companies are leaving the alliance one after another. Although there were more than 10 board members of the board of directors at the beginning, there are only 4 left now. Apart from Intel, they are all Korean firms.

According to industry sources on May 18, the current official board members in the Tizen Alliance are Samsung Electronics, Intel, SK Telecom and LG U+. Japan’s Fujitsu left the board, while KT, NTT Docomo, Orange Telecom and Huawei withdrew from the official board members to advisory board members.

Tizen is the next-generation OS developed by Samsung Electronics and Intel from 2012. The OS was known as a mobile OS which can vies with Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android at the beginning, but it has ultimately seeking to become a comprehensive open source platform which connects various devices, such as smartphone, tablet, smart TV, wearable and cars, based on the Linux.

Japanese companies which were the most passionate at the early stage of the founding changed its stance. NTT Docomo served as a co-chairman in the early days of the Tizen launch and was the most enthusiastic member, but it currently shows no activities. NEC, an early board member, also left the alliance in 2014.

Huawei, which leads the Chinese market, is also rarely participating in. An official from Huawei said, “The company is not taking part in the Tizen OS at the moment. This is largely due to the fact that Huawei changed its direction with its self-developed OS.” Huawei unveiled its OS for the Internet of Things (IoT) last year, focusing on the development of its own OS.

Unlike the past, Intel is also lukewarm over the participation. Intel changed its Tizen manager four times until now and its position level downgraded from the vice president level at the beginning to the director level now. Industry watchers believe that Intel is unlikely to use Tizen as it is also developing its own IoT platform.

Samsung Electronics is struggling by himself to get the Tizen Alliance on its feet again. The company, which is expanding the Tizen OS to wearable and smart TV as well as smartphone, plans to expand its application further to in-car infotainment system to smart phone.

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Samsung Z5 release date, specs news 2016: Another Tizen OS-based smartphone nearing launch?

Two Samsung devices, the rumored Galaxy Tab 4 Advanced and the Galaxy J2 (2016), have recently been spotted at two different benchmarking sites, hinting at their upcoming arrival. Amid talks and leaks circulating about a number of smartphones, Samsung Z5 joins  the list of rumored Samsung devices.

A Samsung Z5 was recently spotted on Zauba, a website that lists products entering India. According to the listing, 310 units of a mobile phone codenamed "SM-Z510FD" have been imported from Vietnam. The handset was described as "ASSY METAL REAR UNIT," which was presumed to mean that it would feature a full-metal build and if not, at least mostly metal.

The Samsung Z5 is expected to come out with Samsung's Tizen operating system (OS), which was first seen in the Samsung Z1 and again in the Z3. Furthermore, the Z5 is expected to bring the third version of the OS.

The rumors surrounding the Z5 handset suggest that the handset will be powered by a quad-core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz and 2 GB of random access memory (RAM). Included in the rumored internal specifications is the 8 GB expandable storage and 3,000 milliampere hour (mAh) battery. As for the design, a 5 megapixel (MP) snapper is rumored to sit at the top of a 5-inch display while an 8 MP main camera adorns the back.

The Samsung Z3 targets the mid-market, so fans are expecting the Z5 to do so as well. The Z1 and Z3 were first released in India, but later on spread to neighboring countries such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. These Tizen-based smartphones are not readily available in the United States, and reports state that it is unlikely for the Z5 to come to the Western shores.

Samsung hasn't officially announced a release date, but if the launch dates of previous Samsung Z devices were taken into consideration, industry watchers can expect to see the phone in the market by the fourth quarter of 2016.

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