How do you guys like your Gear 2 Neo?

[taeisme]

I get Gmail notifications.

 

[GWaLL13]

How is it possible that there are no notifications for Gmail???? seriously??

1812dave, I just uninstalled gear manager and re-installed it and now all of my 3rd party apps show up. I have no idea what happened to them before but it only showed about 8 standard app selections for notifications. It sucks because now I have to re-make my quick responses for messaging and fix all my settings to match what I had before.

 

[tcjohnsson]

How is it possible that there are no notifications for Gmail???? seriously??

Gmail is the only non-native Samsung app that works flawlessly on my Gear 2. Wish I could say the same for Go SMS.

Here's where I stand on my new gear 2. I love the idea about it and I love having quick access to my messages. With that said it leaves much to be desired.

My fitbit knew when I was sleeping I didn't have to tell it and press a button to start.

my pebble showed my whole message and not just a snippet. on the gear 2 I have to touch the messages to go read them.

The S-Health app and Fineness with Gear app don't play nice together. Plus I'm still trying to figure out why they even made two apps and didn't just integrate everything in the first place.

The automatic on doesn't aways work. On the pebble I just needed to shake it. I would like to see Samsung go in that direction.

The gear 2 does everything okay but not great and I'm still deciding on if I'm going to take it back before my 14 days are up.

Via Tapatalk SGN3

I agree that having a a snippet of a message is useless. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to scroll through the entire message with such a powerful watch. It's a major shortcoming.

I think Samsung's intent was to eliminate S-Health altogether for those that pair a Gear with their phone... but right now it's a big hairy mess and neither app works with the Gear 2 at all. Samsung does need to have two apps though... S-Health for standalone phones and Fitness with Gear for those that also own a Gear.

Wake up gesture works fine on my Gear 2, however, I wish the delay wasn't so long. Driving (simply steering with your left hand) also activates the Gear constantly and it can be very distracting at night even if you take the liberty to reduce the screen brightness to the lowest level. Shake to wake should definitely be an option alongside the current wake gesture for those that prefer that.

If you purchased the Gear 2 for its fitness benefits you are better off returning it and waiting until Samsung get their integration up to speed. That way you can at least have a fair chance of testing it when it works as it should before you decide to return in and wait for the Gear 3 or another competitor's smart watch to come to market.

 

[hls811]

I'll preface this with 2 things: 1) I just got mine yesterday so my testing/knowledge is somewhat limited and 2) I'm an IT guy and like having the latest gadgets and things but I also never figured I'd want/need a smart watch... That being said here's my 2 cents.

I've been a Fitbit user for about a year now, went from the Flex to the Force and back to the Flex (after the skin irruption thing.. I'm one of the 1%'ers effected). As I said, I like the latest and greatest and as much as I love the Fitbit I wanted more info.. I have the S5 and have been using the heart rate monitor on there but wanted something a little more integrated, so the Fit and Neo seemed like good options. I went with the Neo because I think/thought I'd like the notifications and because from what I could see the Fit just seems too... Something.. Big? Wide? Standout-ish? The Neo I thought would look more casual and 'normal' on the wrist as a watch whereas the Fit was wider (Wide enough to not look like the fitbit) and flashy with the shiny screen and chrome trim and the non-standard shape.

That said.. In the day I've had it I realize the notifications are nice but I'm holding my phone nearly all day.. between texting and emails and news readers (Feedly) - My phone is rarely in my pocket - I never realized before but I'll walk with it in my hand not even looking at it. I realized it because both hands buzzed at once when I got an email - my first instinct is to just look at my phone. Even when its not in my hand, if I'm sitting at my desk the phone is on the desk in front of me so its faster to just swipe on there to see what message I have rather than on my wrist. Which brings me to this observation:

I also have some level of OCD where I'd then need to go into the watch and clear out the messages in there and what seems like a missing feature is the ability to clear from BOTH devices at once! For example, if a text comes in and I read it on the phone, the notification goes away on the Neo but the actual message is still there! When I go in to delete from the Neo it only deletes it on there - not on the phone - and vice versa.. so I end up touching both devices to clear out a text or email. (I'm sure thats something that could potentially be fixed by Samsung, its not a show stopper).

I'm also realizing I don't have much need for apps on my wrist because I do always have my phone on me. I'm a cyclist and even then I either have my phone in my back jersey pocket or in my seat bag. Thats where the notifications would help if they worked better- it would be nice to know I get a text, but while riding my bike I'm not sure I'd respond right away, even with S Voice I just have a feeling speed/motion and S-voice won't mix well. The way it is now, I get the notification icon, but still have to click it and swipe around within apps to see it and reply - not the safest/smartest thing to do while riding. Apps? I know theres not much now, but I'm not sure what they can offer that I'd actually use. I'm trying Feedly because I use the desktop and mobile version so often but its still not as natural as the phone.

I like the concept more than I think I'll actually use it. Primarily I think I want a glorified Fitness tracker as opposed to a Smartwatch which does fitness tracking (Pedometer/heart rate). I'm leaning towards exchanging it for the Gear Fit but again, cosmetically I'm not sure thats me.. I'm going to stop at Best Buy tonight and mess around with it a bit and see.

 

[dorrien12]

Just got mine today. Immediately changed the band to a thinner band (female) and it's much more to my liking. Used the phone, it's better than the Gear in my opinion. Messages come through ok. Svoice sent my message back on the first try, so that was good. Played with pedometer a little. Can't get Shealth to sync but I knew that was a problem. Will update in a few days.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[dorrien12]

Nova launcher wouldn't affect the OS your device runs. As long as you can get the gear manager app to your device see post #3 about someone using the gear with an m7. Also you can look on AC and smartwatch fans for parts on getting the og gear working on the nexus 5.
Tl;dr If you can run gear manager you shouldn't have any problems using gear devices.

Thanks it's working fine with Nova Launcher.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[rEVOLVE]

I'll preface this with 2 things: 1) I just got mine yesterday so my testing/knowledge is somewhat limited and 2) I'm an IT guy and like having the latest gadgets and things but I also never figured I'd want/need a smart watch... That being said here's my 2 cents.

I've been a Fitbit user for about a year now, went from the Flex to the Force and back to the Flex (after the skin irruption thing.. I'm one of the 1%'ers effected). As I said, I like the latest and greatest and as much as I love the Fitbit I wanted more info.. I have the S5 and have been using the heart rate monitor on there but wanted something a little more integrated, so the Fit and Neo seemed like good options. I went with the Neo because I think/thought I'd like the notifications and because from what I could see the Fit just seems too... Something.. Big? Wide? Standout-ish? The Neo I thought would look more casual and 'normal' on the wrist as a watch whereas the Fit was wider (Wide enough to not look like the fitbit) and flashy with the shiny screen and chrome trim and the non-standard shape.

That said.. In the day I've had it I realize the notifications are nice but I'm holding my phone nearly all day.. between texting and emails and news readers (Feedly) - My phone is rarely in my pocket - I never realized before but I'll walk with it in my hand not even looking at it. I realized it because both hands buzzed at once when I got an email - my first instinct is to just look at my phone. Even when its not in my hand, if I'm sitting at my desk the phone is on the desk in front of me so its faster to just swipe on there to see what message I have rather than on my wrist. Which brings me to this observation:

I also have some level of OCD where I'd then need to go into the watch and clear out the messages in there and what seems like a missing feature is the ability to clear from BOTH devices at once! For example, if a text comes in and I read it on the phone, the notification goes away on the Neo but the actual message is still there! When I go in to delete from the Neo it only deletes it on there - not on the phone - and vice versa.. so I end up touching both devices to clear out a text or email. (I'm sure thats something that could potentially be fixed by Samsung, its not a show stopper).

I'm also realizing I don't have much need for apps on my wrist because I do always have my phone on me. I'm a cyclist and even then I either have my phone in my back jersey pocket or in my seat bag. Thats where the notifications would help if they worked better- it would be nice to know I get a text, but while riding my bike I'm not sure I'd respond right away, even with S Voice I just have a feeling speed/motion and S-voice won't mix well. The way it is now, I get the notification icon, but still have to click it and swipe around within apps to see it and reply - not the safest/smartest thing to do while riding. Apps? I know theres not much now, but I'm not sure what they can offer that I'd actually use. I'm trying Feedly because I use the desktop and mobile version so often but its still not as natural as the phone.

I like the concept more than I think I'll actually use it. Primarily I think I want a glorified Fitness tracker as opposed to a Smartwatch which does fitness tracking (Pedometer/heart rate). I'm leaning towards exchanging it for the Gear Fit but again, cosmetically I'm not sure thats me.. I'm going to stop at Best Buy tonight and mess around with it a bit and see.

I'm in I.T. and the main reason I got a Smartwatch (had 3 before the Gear) was to be able to filter notifications for immediate response or whether they weren't important without having to look at the phone. Also the ability to turn off my phone's notifications at night and just have the watch vibrate so I wasn't waking up my wife has been a godsend.

Any apps that I want are made for making certain quick actions convenient - checking lists with Evernote, etc. I believe if you are interacting with the watch longer than 5 seconds at a time, it's better to just pull out your phone and use that. Anyone who says different is just trying to show off the watch - which is fine, but don't act like its some groundbreaking aspect as you're just validating the smartwatch haters at that point who say its just a toy. The watch is not much useful unless you have your phone on you anyways.

 

[sahmad88]

Just got mine today. Immediately changed the band to a thinner band (female) and it's much more to my liking. Used the phone, it's better than the Gear in my opinion. Messages come through ok. Svoice sent my message back on the first try, so that was good. Played with pedometer a little. Can't get Shealth to sync but I knew that was a problem. Will update in a few days.

Posted via Android Central App

What color Neo do you have? Do you have a picture of the watch with the new band? I am also a girl and a gadget freak. I love the idea of the Neo, but I am curious what it looks like on a female wrist.

 

[dorrien12]

What color Neo do you have? Do you have a picture of the watch with the new band? I am also a girl and a gadget freak. I love the idea of the Neo, but I am curious what it looks like on a female wrist.

Found the upload link on the computer, still can't do from my phone. I have the Black one and I like that it looks like an ordinary watch. I am using a Galaxy Note 3 with it and I love it. What I like thus far.

1. It looks plain, won't draw attention until I use it other than for time.
2. Phone calls are better than on the Gear.
3. Can connect it and my bluetooth earpiece at the same time (can start a call on the watch, talk from there or can transfer it either to the phone OR straight to my bluetooth earpiece, that's cool).
4. S-Voice is working great for me, with phone calls, texts and replies.
5. It's light weight
6. Love the home button.

Note: I used the exercise today, rode my bike, I started the exercise for cycling, I compared it to runtastic, it was slightly off, but not by far.

I only bought it to use for:
1. Phone
2. Text messages
3. Riding my bike

It will be nice when/if the extra's come, but if they don't, it's actually doing ALL that I need it to do, so it is a keeper for me. And when Android Wear comes out, I'll probably get that too, who's says I can't have more than one smartwatch

 

[Tarek53180]

no pic

 

[Xilef Nabac]

loving it so far but miss Watch Styler app to create own faces and the ability to add more tones. Hope this will be fixed in future updates.

Hey Damen check again I just saw It there

 

[Daimon Walker]

Bought my Neo yesterday. I'm in geek heaven! Love it.

But... (and you knew there was going to be a but) I am getting email notifications (good thing) but when I go to delete them it states it's deleting just from the Gear. Is there a way to make the deletion carry to my email box?

Posted via Android Central App

 

[taeisme]

No...

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[Tarek53180]

you should be able to go go into your main email software and just have it dele from server that may work

 

[Daimon Walker]

I can manually go into the app on my phone or on a pc to delete the email but I want the neo to be the point at which my deletion takes place then that information syncs with my mailfile. It can't be that hard.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[GWaLL13]

I can manually go into the app on my phone or on a pc to delete the email but I want the neo to be the point at which my deletion takes place then that information syncs with my mailfile. It can't be that hard.

Posted via Android Central App

The purpose of the device is to assist with viewing the notifications as a middle man , not to control imap or pop3. Or any communication app really.

-via Android Central App on GWaLL's S5

 

[jake fussell]

I got my gear 2 neo cheap with my upgrade , thought it would be a bit gimmicky but iv been using it a month a can't do without it .
Pluss +
Mesages receiving /sending
Voice calls receiving / sending
Voice commands "what's the weather like ? " "whats 1067 × 57 =" "set alarm/timer for 30 mins/7am" "send message to tom , i will be 10 mins late"
Surprisingly accurate in mod quiet places.
Alarm apart lets you know if you leave your phone behind with a lot of vibrating n noise , from phone n watch . Should be stock not third party app .
I.r. remote comes in handy
Wrist list great way to do your shopping
wrist navigation great for bike rides n running
find my device , when your phone slides down the backup of sofa.
Media controller , phone plugged into speaker system control vol n skip on sofa , works with Spotify as well.
Great hands free in car.
great when in shower or in a place of work , building trade eg where phone can get damaged via dust breaking in pocket never miss a notification again .
unlocking phone with just a swipe as watch is security enough .
Bonus use : evertime I lift my hand it lights up due to watch screen being so bright , handy for getting key in door late at night or finding a light switch in the dark , make me feel like buzz Lightyear.


Negs -
Heart rate monitor rubbish , have to be so still it's ridiculous.
Now the apple watch has been released it has set the bench mark in looks and functionality , good side is what will Samsung release next , needs to be like the classic ARMANI rectangular watch which is only a little smaller then the gear 2 , just without the bevels .
sim card would be nice for eg jogging gym
Icons are horrid they look like something on the Psion organiser back in the 90's
Can't ask for directions straight from watch .
no NFC .