The Samsung Gear S3 has quite a bit of new features over the Gear S2, and now, the latter will receive an update that brings it more closely in terms of functionalities to its successor. These include an improved S Health, Gear S3 watch faces, as well as Handwriting Mode.
Let’s start with the improved S Health on the Gear S2. With the new update, the app can now automatically recognise more activities. These include “running, walking, cycling, elliptical- and rowing-machine sessions as well as ‘Other Workouts’ such as high-intensity activities,” as Samsung puts it. Interestingly, the new S Health can even count reps for squats, lunges, crunches, and even star jumps.
This new update also allows Gear S2 users to use watch faces that were previously only available on the Gear S3. On top of that, Gear S2 users can now use the rotatable bezel to accept – or reject – calls; they can also dismiss alarms, timers or alerts with the bezel, much like the Gear S3.
The messaging functionality of the Gear S2 has also been improved; users can now take advantage of the new Handwriting Mode, which supports superimprosed writing. Basically, users can write messages with the Gear S2’s touchscreen for Korean, English, and Chinese languages.
Tizen OS 2.3.2.1 for the Samsung Gear S2 has been deployed in certain markets; Samsung mentioned that the update will be available worldwide in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled. The full list of new features can be found here.
