How does the S2 use WiFi?

[PaulQ]

I have an LG Urbane and I understand how it uses WiFi. How does the S2 use WiFi? Is it the same concept? I also noticed my phone activated WiFi Direct at one point. Can someone explain it?

Thanks!

 

[KoukiFC3S]

If you don't have a direct bluetooth connection to your phone, the S2 will then switch to wi-fi and connect to your phone remotely if you enable that option in the settings. This is on by default so you don't have to do anything. You will then receive notification just like on android wear.

The thing AW does better is that it can automatically turn off wi-fi on the watch if you are using bluetooth. I haven't found a way to do that on the S2 so I have wi-fi off to conserve battery.

As for the wi-fi direct, I believe this is for when you are syncing photos or music to the watch. I haven't tried that feature yet so I could be wrong.

 

[PaulQ]

As for the wi-fi direct, I believe this is for when you are syncing photos or music to the watch. I haven't tried that feature yet so I could be wrong.

I think you're right. It came on when I played around with the photo sync option. The photo sync option doesn't seem to work very well though, at least from my initial experience.

Thanks for the info - much appreciated!

 

[FitzAusTex]

It seems to me that if the S2 is connected via Bluetooth, and you have wifi enabled, the S2 isn't actively using wifi (wifi seems to be in standby). If connected via Bluetooth and you go to wifi setting, it says "Connected via Bluetooth", so it seems to work the same way my AW watch does.

 

[KoukiFC3S]

It seems to me that if the S2 is connected via Bluetooth, and you have wifi enabled, the S2 isn't actively using wifi (wifi seems to be in standby). If connected via Bluetooth and you go to wifi setting, it says "Connected via Bluetooth", so it seems to work the same way my AW watch does.

Are you getting less battery life with wifi on? I seemed to be but I will try again today.

 

[FitzAusTex]

Are you getting less battery life with wifi on? I seemed to be but I will try again today.

I was concerned about it, but I don't think that wifi turned on affected battery while I was in Bluetooth range. I am thinking that having S Voice listening on watch face for voice command turned on in S Voice settings does have an impact on battery, but not sure how much of an impact.

 

[kubix_revan]

The WiFi is activated when the watch is not connected, so You can still access things like... e-mail, I guess? I need to check it.
Also it uses WiFi direct to send the files as photos.

 

[kubix_revan]

The WiFi is activated when the watch is not connected, so You can still access things like... e-mail, I guess? I need to check it.
Also it uses WiFi direct to send the files as photos.

Ok, I have checked it today. So when You disconnect the GearS2 from Your phone, the watch uses WiFi to keep You posted with notification. It doesn't matter whether the phone is connected to the Internet via WiFi or mobile transfer. You can still get notifications and answer messages. From phone You can block the smartwatch or even do a factory reset.

Also, from what I saw, the battery is drained faster, like 1,5x normal time.
Of course as long as the smartwatch is connected via WiFi to the Internet.