In what ways is your Gear S2 truly useful?

[tstreete]

Most of you Gear S2 owners know that it's fun to own, that the bezel interface can be a pleasure to use, and that it looks nice. But beyond that, I've been wondering about what's just plain useful about the S2. Does it actually make your life better in small ways? How?

For me, probably the main value is that I don't have to pull my phone out quite as often; I can read and respond to simple texts on my S2 Classic, and instantly see if the phone call is one I can ignore for now and dismiss it. This makes for less of an interruption in my day, and it reduces the distraction factor of the phone; like many, I find it hard to pick up my phone for one purpose without being drawn into other things like news or social media. I like leaving my phone in a bag or jacket nearby, rather than having to keep it in a pants pocket just in case I need to haul it out.

I do other things with the watch. I'm surprised how often I use the timer app to help myself remember when the oatmeal is cooked or the clothes need to be taken out of the dryer. I do sometimes read my email on the watch, but I'm not sure that's a good thing; I get so much email daily that the problem is reducing the amount of time I spend with it, and the watch may not be helping much there. Personally, I like using my Classic in the gym and while cycling to keep a record of my workouts while listening to podcasts over my bluetooth earphones, with no need to carry a phone in my pocket. But the main thing I need in my life is just some regular exercise, and I'm probably not getting more or better workouts because of my watch (unless the watch's "fun factor" helps motivate me; hard to tell).

I also play around with the watch and try out all kinds of apps, but I can't say this is a time saving activity for me. It's just fun.

What are your experiences?

 

[optimummind]

1. Notifications. I don't have to pull out my phone all the time.
2. Tasker. I can remote start my car, control other devices.
3. Take quick calls & send short txts when phone is hard to get at.
4. Reminders. Easier to see them on the wrist.
5. Control music from the wrist.
6. See the time even quicker.
7. Sound & vibrate alarms on the wrist.
8. Heart rate monitoring

 

[ehosey2]

1. Notifications. I don't have to pull out my phone all the time.
2. Tasker. I can remote start my car, control other devices.
3. Take quick calls & send short txts when phone is hard to get at.
4. Reminders. Easier to see them on the wrist.
5. Control music from the wrist.
6. See the time even quicker.
7. Sound & vibrate alarms on the wrist.
8. Heart rate monitoring

I am interested in number 2. Could you elaborate on that? This is something I would like to do being I have a full fledged alarm system with remote start for my 4Runner but would like to use my Gear S2 3G to start it. That would be fantastic.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 5.

 

[Furious10]

When at home, I don't walk around or sit with my phone near me.
1. Time
2. Notifications
3. Reminder of appointments
4. Heart Rate Monitor
5. Weather
6. Music
7. Email...I've eliminated tons of email from advertisers and only get mail I want from whom I want.
8. Phone...I have the S2 Sport but use JayBird Wireless headset and can make or take calls without looking at the phone.
9. The App "Look Behind" has helped me find things that fell behind the washer and back in a corner.
10. Gallery...I don't always take my phone in places with me. If a conversation can be augmented with a picture (child, hot rod, camper, etc.) it's handy. Not as big or nice as the phone but decent.
I like not having the phone in my hand all the time.
Looking forward to "Samsung Pay" being supported.

 

[44Joan]

For the brief time I had the watch, the functionality I loved, that can't be duplicated by any other device, is ability to take voice memo's while going for a run without having to break stride or be carrying anything. Worked flawlessly and was very user friendly on both ends of the experience (i.e., one-button push to record, and then reliably transferred voice files to phone for easy review).
To me, that's an example of what this watch needs to be able to do--provide seemless, user friendly capabilities unique to its form factor.

 

[jjhoneck]

For me (I've got the 3G version) the ability to receive calls when I'm laying upside down under a plane, or up on a ladder working on something has been fantastic.

Getting text messages has been nearly as useful.

Everything else is just cool and fun.

Now, if they could get S Voice to work reliably, I would enjoy being able to make voice texts and calls, too. Unfortunately, it usually takes at least 3 tries before a voice command is recognized. Because of this flaw, I usually just whip out my phone.

 

[haus]

1. Notifications
2. Tasker. I bought the taskS2 app/phone combo (I think it's a dollar). I can use it to arm/disarm my home security system from my wrist. My only 'gripe' with taskS2 so far is that it doesn't work over remote connection. I don't know if 3rd party apps will ever be able to do that, though.
3. The SOS feature, but not used as intended. I can request a current snapshot of images from my security cameras by triple-tapping the home key and invoking the SOS function. The SOS is sent to my Google Voice number which forwards to my server via email. The server sees the SOS content and sends images back to the watch.
4. Voice memos - record notes about client projects. I love the transcription feature.
5. Personal/family safety - I run in the mornings, and carrying a Note 5 isn't practical. If there's a family emergency, I am reachable any time.
6. My Notes in Gear - shopping lists without pulling the phone out and I like that it brings up my list when I get near the store.
7. Not worrying about always having my phone on me. If my phone needs charging I can leave it on the fast charger and go do other things without missing any notifications. That's a big help when you have a fixed battery phone that you need to keep charged.

Seems like most of our lists are pretty similar.

 

[jmon]

haus, Re: No. 3

How do you receive the images on the watch? email? browser? mms?

 

[ihbsbA]

1. Notifications
2. Tasker. I bought the taskS2 app/phone combo (I think it's a dollar). I can use it to arm/disarm my home security system from my wrist. My only 'gripe' with taskS2 so far is that it doesn't work over remote connection. I don't know if 3rd party apps will ever be able to do that, though.
3. The SOS feature, but not used as intended. I can request a current snapshot of images from my security cameras by triple-tapping the home key and invoking the SOS function. The SOS is sent to my Google Voice number which forwards to my server via email. The server sees the SOS content and sends images back to the watch.
4. Voice memos - record notes about client projects. I love the transcription feature.
5. Personal/family safety - I run in the mornings, and carrying a Note 5 isn't practical. If there's a family emergency, I am reachable any time.
I have the Note 5 and carry mine in this, I LOVE IT... but it's snug, so the watch would be great to glance at to see if you need to pull it out: Amazon.com : Running Belt & Fitness Workout, Yoga & Travel Belt By Stealth - Like a Fanny Pack or Waist Pack with Reflective Jogging Belt Design - Apple iPhone 6, Apple iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S Plus, Samsung Galaxy : Sports & Outdoors
6. My Notes in Gear - shopping lists without pulling the phone out and I like that it brings up my list when I get near the store.
7. Not worrying about always having my phone on me. If my phone needs charging I can leave it on the fast charger and go do other things without missing any notifications. That's a big help when you have a fixed battery phone that you need to keep charged.
So you have the version that is a standalone phone? I'm looking at the Rose Gold Classic - but I don't think it even has a speaker?

Seems like most of our lists are pretty similar.

 

[haus]

MMS. The only way it works is if I use the mpack command on my server to compose the message and send to my Verizon nnnnnnnnnn@vzwpix.com address. The actual command is:

mpack -s \"\" $output_image nnnnnnnnnn\@vzwpix.com

$output_image is a jpeg.

 

[Paisley]

1. Notifications
2. Fast weather check
3. Agree re: photos
4. Faster time
5. Step counter
6. Easy to use count down timer
7. Find my phone!

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[ShaggyKids]

I want to know more about starting my car, too!

 

[AndroHK]

1. S Health -very motivational
2. Reminders to keep me on track at work, somehow the vibrating watch gets my attention better than a vibrating phone in my pocket (it would be considered too rude to have an audible reminder from my phone while in a meeting)
3. Weather report which lets me keep up with the weather in the various global locations my family is scattered to (as well as outside the building I am in)
4. World time (same reason as for weather)