Related
Hey guys, I upgraded to the Atrix from my Tilt2... I set up the bluetooth with my car (Audi A5) and the calling works fine but the car no loner imports my SIM contacts, recent calls, missed calls, and dialed calls list that my Tilt2 used to send over. Those options on the car are now just blank. Is there anyway to enable this? The bluetooth profile on both phones is just listed as "hands free". Is there any way to fix this or enable other connection profiles to send that data like my last phone did?
Thanks guys
I can pair my Atrix is my BMW 3-series but when it tries to download the phone book the BT connection drops. Sometimes I can start to make a call but it will drop the connection.
I can connect all my BB's and my HTC Inspire 4G just fine.
I think there is something wrong with the BT stack.
Ziuck said:
I can pair my Atrix is my BMW 3-series but when it tries to download the phone book the BT connection drops. Sometimes I can start to make a call but it will drop the connection.
I can connect all my BB's and my HTC Inspire 4G just fine.
I think there is something wrong with the BT stack.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you may be right... I did some more online searching after the post and stumbled upon an Audi forum where multiple people have lost the ability on several different car models after moving to a stock android device... however, it appears things fix themselves with CM roms which may have a more sophisticated BT stack. I wonder if it's hopeless about having that capability until 2.3 or the bootloader is cracked?
If I can't get this fixed soon then I will be forced to return this phone.
How can they screw up something so simple??
UTZorro said:
Hey guys, I upgraded to the Atrix from my Tilt2... I set up the bluetooth with my car (Audi A5) and the calling works fine but the car no loner imports my SIM contacts, recent calls, missed calls, and dialed calls list that my Tilt2 used to send over. Those options on the car are now just blank. Is there anyway to enable this? The bluetooth profile on both phones is just listed as "hands free". Is there any way to fix this or enable other connection profiles to send that data like my last phone did?
Thanks guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have this same problem in my Chevy Volt. Sometimes the phonebook works (but very slowly) but the call lists never work. Also seems to take a very long time to pair initially.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
A lot of cars can only import the phone book from the SIM card. Not from any other application on the phone.
So if your phone book is in Google Contacts or some other application...you'll need to port it into the SIM card itself for most cars to be able to read it.
Return it. I have new A4 and atrix pairs fine. I actually think its the clearest device I've used in my car yet
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
fade?
"I have new A4 and atrix pairs fine."
And do you know WHICH phone book your numbers are in, or which phone books the A4 can pair with?
If his BT is connecting, and the phone is working over BT, there's no reason to think the phone is defective. yet.
UTZorro said:
I think you may be right... I did some more online searching after the post and stumbled upon an Audi forum where multiple people have lost the ability on several different car models after moving to a stock android device... however, it appears things fix themselves with CM roms which may have a more sophisticated BT stack. I wonder if it's hopeless about having that capability until 2.3 or the bootloader is cracked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a BT Stack problem...it's an Audi problem (or BMW, etc...). The manufacturers need to program their devices for Android. The ability to grab contacts and such isn't a standard bluetooth handsfree device option. It has to do something extra. How it *handles* that extra something differs by device...which is why some don't work with Android devices.
On top of that, there's a dialogue when you first pair the device that asks if it should have access to your contacts, call lists, etc...that you have to "Allow" or it won't ever be able to get those lists. It's been the same way on every Android phone I've ever used. If you don't hit Allow within 10 seconds the dialogue will go away and never come back...unless you unpair and re-pair the device. Try doing this and seeing if the dialogue comes up. If it doesn't, it's an issue with the way your Audi/BMW polls for contacts.
BTW works perfectly with my Kenwood receiver.
Ziuck said:
If I can't get this fixed soon then I will be forced to return this phone.
How can they screw up something so simple??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"They" didn't. Audi/BMW did. They didn't spend enough time programming to figure out that Android handles contacts slightly differently. Put blame where it's due.
hotleadsingerguy said:
"They" didn't. Audi/BMW did. They didn't spend enough time programming to figure out that Android handles contacts slightly differently. Put blame where it's due.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the 08' audi a4 and my contacts sync just fine, as do the missed calls.
" my contacts sync just fine"
SIM card contacts? Google Contacts? Exactly which or what "contacts" ?
Hi, new user here to searched and figured it'd be better to post in this thread rather than starting a new one.
I'm another Atrix user who is having issues with pairing the Atrix to a bluetooth car kit. I've got the VW Touch Phone Kit (rebadged Bury CC9060) which used to work perfectly with my previous Samsung Omnia as well as my partner's Samsung S8500. The problem I have was that with the 1.57 firmware, I could initially pair the phone and it would sync the phonebook up fine so that I could make or receive any number of calls without a hitch. But the issue was when I switched the ignition off then back on, the Atrix appears to pair correctly, it'll grab the phonebook but cannot make or grab any incoming calls. When dialing from the phonebook, it will initiate the call then drop out while the call still goes through. Incoming calls just aren't picked up at all. If I deleted the pairing and paired the phone up to the car kit again, it'd work until the first ignition off and back on again.
After I updated to the 1.83 firmware, this no longer works for me at all even though it appears to pair correctly and syncs the phonebook as well.
I've looked into upgrading the software on the car kit but I'm already on v0181 which is the latest for the VW branded kit. The Bury CC9060 kit has available a v0235 update but won't load on the VW kit as it does a checksum check. I'm looking at possibly editing the flasher to bypass the checksum check.
Has anyone else used the Atrix with this car kit and experiencing the same issues?
Thanks in advance
fmflex
A quick bump.
I find it hard to believe that I'm the only one using an Atrix with this car kit...
I really wanted to buy a car kit, I was even willing to pay the rather high price. Then i saw tht the Atrix just "snaps it" with those two spring arms.
You know what happens in an accident? The phone will fly out as a missle. Good luck finding it, if you were doing 30 when you got slammed, the phone will still be doing 30 when it launches out of the clips.
If it doesn't hit you, you still won't be able to find it or call 911 on it.
So, nice dock, I'm holding off for something that can be used "in case of accident". For that price, I expect a more robust product, designed to survive. (Note to Moto, calls Mercedes and speak to crash safety team.)
hotleadsingerguy said:
"They" didn't. Audi/BMW did. They didn't spend enough time programming to figure out that Android handles contacts slightly differently. Put blame where it's due.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure that the blame can be directed to the car makers not suiting the android configuration.
I had concerns about Androids paring car bluetooth, so when my wife got her Samsung running Froyo before i purchased the Atrix, I tested it on my 2010 A4 and it all worked faultlessly. All phonebook, dialled, missed calls & received calls. All her contacts are stored on the Phone too, not the SIM. It actually worked better with it than my old Nokia's, and my old iPhone 3G. All of which had contacts stored on the phone not the SIM.
Being in my car all day, I had to make sure it the Atrix running Froyo would work too, and that's why I tested it with my wifes phone before buying the Atrix.
I would have to say that the problem does have something to do with how the Atrix handles bluetooth. I have been having all the same issues that other users are having.
To be fair to the Atrix, I had only one problem when I originanlly bought it and that was loading the contacts from the phones storage, all the other options were working and it never displayed the annoying error message and it never dropped the connection either.
This has only started playing up completely since I rooted it and installed HeLauncher with Fancy widgets (maybe it's just a coincidence, but its unlikely i think IMHO).
I have since uninstalled the HeLauncher and Fancy Widgets, and yet the problem is still there, so I have no realistic reason why it isn't working anymore.
Because i work for Audi, I will check at work why this issue might be happening ( just with the Atrix not all the other Android phones) and see if their is anything that can be done to fix the issue.
Hi Staunch
I'd be very interested in what you can find out about this issue. I've basically got nothing out of VW and their official stand is that the atrix isn't compatible.
fmflex said:
Hi Staunch
I'd be very interested in what you can find out about this issue. I've basically got nothing out of VW and their official stand is that the atrix isn't compatible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I have tried connectivity with the current version of MMI and it seems to pair up with NO error messages at all. It would appear at this stage that the new MMI generation have the "issue" fixed. I am still waiting for a reply from Service Technical Support to answer why the issue exists on the older MMI generations. It would appear that Audi in conjection with Apple focused their MMI setup for iOS, not considering Android OS's.
Will keep you updated once I have some more information about previous versions of MMI.
Blame the cars not the phone.
My phone works 100% well and perfect with my Acura.
I've also had fun trying to get my E46 3 Series BMW ULF BT module to talk to the Atrix - has no issues speaking to an older Nokia phone. Anyway after a LOT of experimentation I've finally pinned down the root cause of the problem, text messages (SMS).
I've yet to figure out the specific trigger but it is either the number of messages or something in a specific message it doesn't like. I figured this out because I noticed the envelope icon coming up on the BMW screen for 5-10 seconds before the bluetooth would drop out each time after connecting the pairing. Each connection only lasts 15 seconds at most.
Anyway there were 193 SMS messages in the car memory, maybe the 194th message was upsetting it. I deleted almost all the 1150 SMS messages in my phone and it was only when I got rid of all of them that it connected. I then had to manually clear the SMS messages in the BMW one by one (took a long while).
I then did some testing whereby I sent an SMS or two to my phone. I noted that the Atrix seems to periodly get asked to upload messages to the car. You can delete them in the car but if they are still on the phone, they come back shortly after. They always show as unread on the BMW unless you read them on the car screen. Reading them on the phone has no affect. Maybe the SMS side of BT headset support is borked on the Atrix.
So my conclusion is that while I don't know the detailed trigger specifics, for BMWs at least the Atrix Bluetooth issue comes down to SMS messages. My large contacts directory uploads in its entirety without an issue. The solution for reliable BT connectivity to the Atrix and a BMW seems to be in SMS message management. Get yourself a copy of SMS Backup from the market when you experiment.
Hope this helps others!
Matt
A few days ago I bought a device called GMATE ($80), a type of smallcell without display or keyboard which is inserted a normal simcard and communicating via Bluetooth to the Samsung Galaxy Player, which means an application is integrated with android, receiving and making phone calls, and SMS, in addition to allowing internet access GPRS.
It's a perfect combination that increases the possibilities of Our Player
IPhones must be jailbroken, a repo is added to Cydia, and then the Gmate app is installed for the integrated Gmate functionality. How does this work in Android?
In GooglePlay you can download a Gmate aplication that integrates the gadget with your android player (also convert your android phone in a double sim phone) and uses android phone's features like dialer, contacts, or any thirtd party aplication likes rocket Dial.
Received and Make calls don´t need special features, if you uses the Gprs/edge to internet (in places with no WIFI) need to be rooted.
The application is not compatible with my U.S. 5.0 Player.
CreekDirt said:
The application is not compatible with my U.S. 5.0 Player.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to skyroam webpage and ask for a .apk file, i have Intl 5.0 and working great, sometimes any aplication in GooglePlay seems to be incompatible for my SG player but, on a external apk source works fine.
Dutch 5.0
Thank you for the info! I will definitely buy one if it works in The Netherlands.
That does look interesting.
Anyone using it with the USA version?
Is there something similar that i can connect it to my player or to put it in the galaxy player? So this wey i dony have to worry if i get out of 10 neters or jf i fodget it at home
Sent from my YP-G70 using xda premium
Wow, wonderful find. I was looking for exacly something like this. Unfortunately, With ICS CM9 installed on my GP5 Bluetooth doesn't work =( (neither does the camera or hardware acceleration. They really need to fix that.)
So I can make phone calls/sms without having wifi?
oncaribe said:
A few days ago I bought a device called GMATE ($80), a type of smallcell without display or keyboard which is inserted a normal simcard and communicating via Bluetooth to the Samsung Galaxy Player, which means an application is integrated with android, receiving and making phone calls, and SMS, in addition to allowing internet access GPRS.
It's a perfect combination that increases the possibilities of Our Player
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the Gmate app, can your SGP connect to a regular cell phone with bluetooth or it can only connect to the Gmate?
testrider said:
With the Gmate app, can your SGP connect to a regular cell phone with bluetooth or it can only connect to the Gmate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gmate only.. I tried it with my other android phone and it doesn't work.
I came further when I changed my phone's Bluetooth id to "Gmate". It didn't connect because of a password failure
It's seems good
I don't quite understand... So besides buying the Gmate, would i need a sim card as well? secondly so would i practically be using a sim card with a data plan to use with gmate? but wouldnt that defeat the purpose of just using a smart phone with a card in it?.... these are all continuation Q's if the first is a yes lol.
This seems like a stupid question, but I'll ask anyway. How well does the device actually work? Does it keep a connection throughout the day, sending and receiving text messages without too much delay? I'm considering using this to replace my old dumbphone, but I'd rather not plunk down a sizable chunk of change with little indication as to how well this thing actually works.
Gmate calling speaker sound
Question: Does the sound come out of the front speaker while calling?
(I don't like to call everywhere with loud back speakers)
crowelfly said:
Question: Does the sound come out of the front speaker while calling?
(I don't like to call everywhere with loud back speakers)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about GMate, but on Groove IP (and probably others), the front speaker on the 5.0 is quite functional and is used for calls.
Mevordel said:
I don't know about GMate, but on Groove IP (and probably others), the front speaker on the 5.0 is quite functional and is used for calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the info!
P.S. I like your rom a lot!
Cool!
Sent from my YP-G70 using xda app-developers app
EDIT: I HAVE FIXED THE MAIN ISSUE WITH MY GMATE, MORE INFORMATION BELOW
Well, my Gmate+ came in the mail today, and I've been playing with it for a little while now and am able to give first impressions. First off, the device is much smaller than I imagined, it easily fits in my palm, the vibration (on the plus version) is very loud. As for the function itself, it works. You can call and send and receive text messages (haven't tested the web access yet) with a few minor (and one major) annoyances. My device is currently a US SGP 4.0 running Terrasilent 1.1 and EtherealRom 2.3.
Minor annoyances I have found with the Gmate+:
- Notifications (read: texts) do not make noise/vibrate while the screen is locked. Once the screen goes on, if you do have a new text, it notifies you, kind of ruining the point of the notification.
- Text messages you send have proper time stamps, for some reason, the ones you receive are off by a few hours, as if the sender is in a different time zone
- Seems to be no way to delete contacts from the address book, even uninstalling, wiping data, reinstalling didn't do anything about this.
Major annoyance with the Gmate+:
- It disconnects, and by that I mean it disconnects ALL THE TIME, the device is pretty much useless because of this, it will be fine for a few minutes, then disconnect, regardless of how close the Gmate is to my SGP. Every few minutes, I'd check it, and guess what? No connection. Sometimes it would reconnect, sometimes I'd have to manually do it, sometimes I'd have to restart one or both devices to get it to work again.
Seeing as everything the device does it actually does quite well when actually connected, I want to rule this problem to some battery saving tweak in my kernel/rom. As such, I'll be returning to stock and trying the Gmate again to see if any of these issues are cleared up. As it stands, I have a 75$ paperweight that buzzes occasionally.
EDIT: After flashing back to stock and noticing no change, I began searching around and found other people having similar problems with similar devices, mainly connecting their smartphones to the bluetooth sound system in their car. Turns out in Deep Sleep, the device has issues keeping constant bluetooth connection. After downloading an app (Bluetooth KeepAlive: ~$1.30) on the market that keeps the device from entering this mode, the Gmate no longer disconnects, and has remained connected for several days, having no problem with calls or text messages at any time. In summary, with this app, I am now happy to recommend the Gmate to anyone who is looking for this kind of functionality. Guess it goes to show that non compatible apps are listed in the Play Store as non working for a reason
Hi HOX+ forum.
Here is my little contribution.
I have tested SONY´s Smart Connect avalible for FREE on >>>Google Play Store<<<, and it actually works on our HOX+ smartphones, both the AT&T and the International version, and probably also a lot of other phones as well.
It can do allmost everything you need...
It can eg. switch on and off things like settings and programs when you connect the charger, or your headset, OR it can turn things on and off at specified times.
- or even a combination of these...
Say you want to set the phone silent at night, but ONLY if you are at home, then just set a "sound off" time AND set charger as the other option, then both things have to be correct for the software to turn the phone silent...
There are a lot of options in the apk, here is a few:
Triggers:
Time
Charger
Headset
Headphones
Start options (Also stop options):
Play
Bluetooth (ON-OFF-SWITCH)
Data
Call
Sound
Read time
Send SMS
Send Facebook status
Start program
Volumen
Wifi (ON-OFF-SWITCH)
I use it simply to turn off sound every night, when it is connected to my charger and the time is 23:00-06:00...
I have been using it on my SONY phones as it is pre-installed on them, and then i discovered the program on >>>Google Play Store<<<, and tried it, and it turned out that it actually works really fine on HOX+ also...
We use the software daily in our family on a Samsung Galaxy SII, HTC Sensation, HOX+ and also 3 different SONY phones.
just thought i put this here since ive never heard of it before.
Just verified that it works on One X+ for AT&T.
thanks OP, works good.
Wheere is apk for that ...
Sent from my HTC One X+ using Tapatalk HD
Google it and you get a play store link
Verstuurd van mijn HTC One X+ met Tapatalk
You can do all this and a ton more with Tasker. Tasker does cater mostly to the pocket protector crowd, this may be simpler, so thanks for sharing. Love my Tasker though, the best $5i have ever spent.
GroovyGeek said:
You can do all this and a ton more with Tasker. Tasker does cater mostly to the pocket protector crowd, this may be simpler, so thanks for sharing. Love my Tasker though, the best $5i have ever spent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Super... the Sony apk is free thoug...
Sent from my GT-P7500 using XDA Premium HD app
Llama can do a lot more and is also on Google Play
pshdo said:
Hi HOX+ forum.
Here is my little contribution.
I have tested SONY´s Smart Connect avalible for FREE on >>>Google Play Store<<<, and it actually works on our HOX+ smartphones, both the AT&T and the International version, and probably also a lot of other phones as well.
It can do allmost everything you need...
It can eg. switch on and off things like settings and programs when you connect the charger, or your headset, OR it can turn things on and off at specified times.
- or even a combination of these...
Say you want to set the phone silent at night, but ONLY if you are at home, then just set a "sound off" time AND set charger as the other option, then both things have to be correct for the software to turn the phone silent...
There are a lot of options in the apk, here is a few:
Triggers:
Time
Charger
Headset
Headphones
Start options (Also stop options):
Play
Bluetooth (ON-OFF-SWITCH)
Data
Call
Sound
Read time
Send SMS
Send Facebook status
Start program
Volumen
Wifi (ON-OFF-SWITCH)
I use it simply to turn off sound every night, when it is connected to my charger and the time is 23:00-06:00...
I have been using it on my SONY phones as it is pre-installed on them, and then i discovered the program on >>>Google Play Store<<<, and tried it, and it turned out that it actually works really fine on HOX+ also...
We use the software daily in our family on a Samsung Galaxy SII, HTC Sensation, HOX+ and also 3 different SONY phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UPDATE 20141110 : You can perform a screenshot on the Gear S by clicking the power button AND swiping from left to right.
The screenshot is stored in Gallery. I suppose you could transfer the images via the Gear Manager or MTP from the PC.
This is the 2nd part of the review off my Google+ share here
https://plus.google.com/+JoyTestwick/posts/U4uqfTrQd4u
UPDATE 20141102: Text of the 2nd review is here, posted on 02 Nov 2014.
_Review_ of *Samsung Galaxy Gear S*, _part 2_
*135 pics* from start to app installation and GPS use.
Part 2 from my earlier review on 30 Oct 2014
First review is here: 2014-10-30
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JoyTestwick/posts/HojMwRq1jMS
I spent a little bit more time with my Gear S today, sort of accidentally again. I'm discovering more of what this device does.
What happened was that I thought I would pair the Gear S with my Note 4. It was originally paired to my Note 3.
I downloaded Samsung Gear Manager from the Samsung App Store, and tried to pair both the Note 4 and Gear S.
Surprise, surprise..............it asked me to FACTORY RESET the Gear S !!!! It needs to reset when pairing with a new device. It makes sense though, since this is supposed to be a companion device. If you changed the main device, the companion device should follow the new main device.
This is probably going to a slight inconvenience, but again I say it makes sense, IF you use it as a companion device.
However, if you decide to use it mainly as a phone, then I suppose you will not need to bother with a re-pairing.
Firmware Update
The good thing is that while I got this new pairing going on, Gear Manager tells me that there's a firmware update, around 25Mb in size.
I cannot recall the prior firmware version, but after the update, it was R750XXU1BNJC, which is version 2.2.1.3 Singapore firmware.
See the pic from Sammobile.
The series of 136 pics in the album show almost chronologically what I was doing with the Gear S while setting it up.
The first pic shows the screen while it was undergoing the factory reset. The immediately following screens were from the Gear Manager on Note 4, with various EULA screens and you need to click yes to all of them.
Immediately after, the notification for the 25Mb update showed up, and I accepted the download.
After the firmware update, it shows the welcome screens. This was not present during the earlier fimware when I first switched it on.
Pairing Connectivity
I tested that the following connections work for pairing:
Bluetooth
3G
The 3G connection will show on your phone that you are Remotely Connected to the Gear S. This probably means that notification CAN be sent even though your phone is not with you.
Anyway, I downloaded a few apps, tried playing with Here again, downloaded the map for Malaysia at 120Mb.
Here GPS
I wanted to actually confirm that Here would work properly since I was now pairing it to the Note 4, which is supposed to be its built-for-purpose companion device, launched together.
I found that the same WTF still happened.
I saw that, even when I disconnected the Gear S, once I started Here, it will fire up and look for the bluetooth connection, connect it, and trigger the phone's GPS. Lock on was less than 30 seconds.
Then I purposely tried Here again, this time by turning off the bluetooth on the Note 4 completely. This time, the Gear S *COULD NOT* find the location.
I tried this twice with the same result.
During this second test, the Gear S was connected remotely. I saw that it did not trigger the GPS on the phone.
I hope this is not how you intended for this to work. I hope someone can clarify.
Someone was also asking about Nike Run+, it needs the app to be on the main phone and you need to login. I didn't try further.
Anyway, now I have a fresh slate on the Gear S again, and will observe the battery. It was fairly good the last 2 days when I did not use it with a bluetooth headset.
Please share your thoughts in the comments.
The first review is re-posted from my original Google+ share here
https://plus.google.com/+JoyTestwick/posts/HojMwRq1jMS
UPDATED with a pic showing how it is when worn normally compared to being worn WITH the charging dock.
You wouldn't typically want to wear it with the charging dock attached. I did it just to show it could be done.
An overview of using the Galaxy Gear S SM-R750 Tizen smartphone since I got it on 15 October 2014, during the launch event at The Majestic Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
I got mine on 15 Oct 2014, and initially was a little unsure what I would do with it.
Still, thank you Samsung for letting the invitees to the pre-launch get one for free (of course with full price purchase of a Note 4).
After about 3 days of thinking how to deal with all my devices, I settled on getting a Multi-SIM from my telco for both my Note 4 and Gear S.
The Gear S uses a nano SIM, and I designated it as the primary SIM. This means I can make and receive calls and SMS on the primary SIM. The secondary SIM can only make calls and send SMS.
The upside is that there is a USSD code that allows switching of primary and secondary between SIMs, so if I feel like it or if the Gear S battery is low I can switch it to the Note 4.
The included set of photos (all taken with the Note 4) show the key features of the phone. I would rather call it a phone than a watch, since it is a fully fledged phone.
The Power On Screen
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Boot Animation (just like the Note 4)
Pin Unlock Screen
Main Screen
What can I say....it makes and receives calls, it sends and receives SMS, it can store files, photos, and music, and can display photos, play music over bluetooth or its built in speaker.
Rear
SIM Tray opener
nano SIM Slot
Thickness with Dock attached
Worn NORMALLY
Wearing it with Dock attached
Since this is a Tizen device, and Samsung being the current primary driver behind Tizen (there's another set of politics around that, you may Google it), apps are all from Samsung's Tizen "app store" for now.
That being said, it is no surprise that to setup, sync and update the phone, you need to pair it with a recent (2012 and later) Samsung Android phone.
You manage it using the Gear Manager app that is installed, and it gives you options like sending files to the Gear S, backing up, restore, system updates etc.
It picks up notifications from whatever app you set it from the Notifications manager in Gear Manager on the main phone.
Most of the time, you would pair this via Bluetooth, but it also pairs via Wifi and supposedly even via 3G networks.
I set it up using my Note 3 at first, then paired it via bluetooth for a couple of days before plugging in the nano SIM.
Overall, I enjoy using it, although I found a few quirks.
I guess I'll start with the cons, then the pros.
Cons
Battery life, as expected, doesn't really last all day. I believe for those who do not use it as a phone and just tether it to a primary device will experience longer battery life, up to maybe 2 days.
GPS seems to only lock if tethered to a phone. What ???? Then what is the built in GPS for???? Samsung please clarify.
Default call answering is via built-in speaker. Again what??? I need to quickly tap on the headset icon to transfer the call to bluetooth.
Charging Dock a little unwieldy and proprietary.
Pros
Hell it's a PHONE !! yeah 50 years of geek wet dreams come true.
It's a full blown computer yes it is, all shrunk to 2 tiny inches. Apps are still limited, but then, what do you want to do on a 2" screen? However I know this is XDA....
Health apps are useful OK I'm your sedentary geek-type person so it does raise awareness by giving alarms and cheers you on by telling "You've hit 50% of your daily steps target, another 8 hours to go"
It's a customizable watch yes, that's what all devices of this category promise....custom watchfaces, notifications etc.
I know I wrote equal numbers of pros and cons, and the pros do not seem entirely objective, but then again, I just find that having a phone and computer on my wrist is just incredibly cool (to me).
I believe most people would use it as a bluetooth device tethered to a phone, so they should be able to have most or all of the same type of functionality as an Android Wear device, and I'm sure the battery life will last longer.
My take is that at least for the next 18 months, before those supposedly mega-capacity battery breakthroughs come to market, _ANY_ wearable device will suffer from low battery life.
XDA on Gear S
Well, do look at it from this perspective....the first few of generations of mobile phones had seriously bad battery life, yet people still bought them in droves, and technological progress has brought us to this stage.
As I wrote in an earlier brief overview on G+, the Gear S today, in 2014, is about equivalent to the Nokia N82 which I bought way back in 2008. I still needed to charge the N82 daily.
The future will be even better.
I hope this serves as a sufficient introductory real-world user experience review.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have any questions, feel free to post in the comments.
#GearS #Tizen #Review #SMR750
This seems like an obvious stupid question, but with the nature of how the watch/phone works I do want to ask...
Will it work with the iPhone?
Obvioulsy limited functionality, but if one SIM is your primary the other is your iPhone (or other way around), can it still technically work with an iPhone? (Your real number is in the watch, but a secondary number in the iPhone which forwards to the iPhone or something)?
I'm still really confused how everything works together (as are other people), so thought I'd ask.
MattAAron said:
This seems like an obvious stupid question, but with the nature of how the watch/phone works I do want to ask...
Will it work with the iPhone?
Obvioulsy limited functionality, but if one SIM is your primary the other is your iPhone (or other way around), can it still technically work with an iPhone? (Your real number is in the watch, but a secondary number in the iPhone which forwards to the iPhone or something)?
I'm still really confused how everything works together (as are other people), so thought I'd ask.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was some tech site I read which compared all the Gear smartwatches from Samsung nicely. None of them work with iOS. I am not very certain if other Android Wear devices work with iOS properly.
As to call forwarding, there are 2 types of forwarding in question.
1. Bluetooth paired forwarding ie the Gear S functions as an extension of the paired device, phone number notwithstanding. Any calls received on the phone will get displayed on Gear S and you can use Gear S to serve as a handset or swipe to answer/reject. No SIM card used.
2.a. Pairing via Multi-SIM. This is a telco function and beyond your control. Apart from having the same phone number and some billing related stuff, there is no link between primary SIM or secondary SIM. No call forwarding is needed, and primary/secondary swapping can be done arbitrarily.
2b. Telco call forwarding. I think this is going to be the most likely scenario in your case, since you are in the US. You set up call forwarding from the device you want to forward from, setting the number to be forwarded to. I think this is the only way it would work with an idevice.
joytest said:
There was some tech site I read which compared all the Gear smartwatches from Samsung nicely. None of them work with iOS. I am not very certain if other Android Wear devices work with iOS properly.
As to call forwarding, there are 2 types of forwarding in question.
1. Bluetooth paired forwarding ie the Gear S functions as an extension of the paired device, phone number notwithstanding. Any calls received on the phone will get displayed on Gear S and you can use Gear S to serve as a handset or swipe to answer/reject. No SIM card used.
2.a. Pairing via Multi-SIM. This is a telco function and beyond your control. Apart from having the same phone number and some billing related stuff, there is no link between primary SIM or secondary SIM. No call forwarding is needed, and primary/secondary swapping can be done arbitrarily.
2b. Telco call forwarding. I think this is going to be the most likely scenario in your case, since you are in the US. You set up call forwarding from the device you want to forward from, setting the number to be forwarded to. I think this is the only way it would work with an idevice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks for the reply! As far as TEXTING, how would that work in each scenario above? You can't forward texting can you?
My ideal scenario would be leaving my 'iPhone' at my house, while I wear this one around... so call forwarding could work for calls, but I think the big problem would be how to get texts on both devices (I do want to get real texts on my iPhone so I can use handoff with my mac/ipad/etc
Edit: btw great review and thanks for all the pics/info! Been looking everywhere for details of this thing.
MattAAron said:
Awesome, thanks for the reply! As far as TEXTING, how would that work in each scenario above? You can't forward texting can you?
My ideal scenario would be leaving my 'iPhone' at my house, while I wear this one around... so call forwarding could work for calls, but I think the big problem would be how to get texts on both devices (I do want to get real texts on my iPhone so I can use handoff with my mac/ipad/etc
Edit: btw great review and thanks for all the pics/info! Been looking everywhere for details of this thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey! I might have some great news, but I cannot find the darn article... I read that Apple was coming out with a watch that works for the iPhone! Not sure on any details for you but it might be what you're looking for. The problem is Apple doesn't usually work with Andriod, they're kinda two different things. Like it's weird, but the chargers don't even work...I've can tell you that cuz I've seen them. My cousin has an iPhone. I'm like you, I thought that Samsung would have made the Gear S to work with iphones too. We'll that stinks. Maybe one day Samsung will wise up and make their products work with Apple, iphones mac's ipads etc.
wow thanks so much for this review and i can see that indeed surfing on this thing looks great (for a watch and the images look crisp too)
BTW for anyone noticing, those are smudges from my sweaty fingers and not a scratched screen.
Thank you for your input op. So you think you could do an in depth video review of the watch? Because most of the ones on YouTube are on a non understandable language ?
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
I've posted an update to the review, and found that the GPS quirk is still there....I don't know if this is default behaviour.
joytest said:
I've posted an update to the review, and found that the GPS quirk is still there....I don't know if this is default behaviour.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does Bluetooth tether work? Can we use another browser besides Opera?
So for forwarding of calls to work, do you have to have your Note 4 on for this to work if your using 3g? I dont mind this as I always have my phone with me and then can just leave it in the car when I go running but was wondering what would happen if the main phone was turned off
rfs830 said:
So for forwarding of calls to work, do you have to have your Note 4 on for this to work if your using 3g? I dont mind this as I always have my phone with me and then can just leave it in the car when I go running but was wondering what would happen if the main phone was turned off
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming that your sim card on Gear S has a different mobile number from your Note 4, you can just set the call forwarding in Note 4 with the telco. Please check charges with your telco before doing that though. I believe both mobile number will be charged.
This way, you can leave your Note 4 in the car while having your run. Just remember to disable the call forwarding on your Note 4 when you are back in the car.
I hope I dont have a diff number here in the US. I wanted to just make sure I use my one number. Dont want another number that I have to remember. I guess I will find out this friday when I go to get mine.
I hope there is clarity on the GPS. I find if the Note is in my pocket in busy crowded London, that the GPS signal drops off which defeats the idea of transferring the navigation to an external device like a watch. So the built-in GPS was a "YES" moment for me, but now you find out it isn't being used! I suspect that this may be because the Here software is still Beta....at least I hope so. However will we see a navigation app that runs on the watch completely independently? There is enough storage to do it, or even retrieve maps via data as needed.
What can you do without a companion phone other than make calls and text? I saw a screenshot of XDA website on the phone.....how was that achieved? Is there a Tizen web browser app?
jonstatt said:
I hope there is clarity on the GPS. I find if the Note is in my pocket in busy crowded London, that the GPS signal drops off which defeats the idea of transferring the navigation to an external device like a watch. So the built-in GPS was a "YES" moment for me, but now you find out it isn't being used! I suspect that this may be because the Here software is still Beta....at least I hope so. However will we see a navigation app that runs on the watch completely independently? There is enough storage to do it, or even retrieve maps via data as needed.
What can you do without a companion phone other than make calls and text? I saw a screenshot of XDA website on the phone.....how was that achieved? Is there a Tizen web browser app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Opera mini browser is available for the S - see here and here
Bit worried about the GPS too - I want to leave my phone at home and go out with just the watch. Bad news if the GPS doesn't function independently. Can't see why it wouldn't though?
Uniquebarbee said:
Does Bluetooth tether work? Can we use another browser besides Opera?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bluetooth tether as in network tethering via the phone for mobile data? I think it does, but I have not tried it. I use a 3G SIM in the Gear S. There is another browser called GearWeb. At present there are only 2 browsers avaiable. However from a usability perspective, you'd only want to use it for emergency browsing at most.
jonstatt said:
I hope there is clarity on the GPS. I find if the Note is in my pocket in busy crowded London, that the GPS signal drops off which defeats the idea of transferring the navigation to an external device like a watch. So the built-in GPS was a "YES" moment for me, but now you find out it isn't being used! I suspect that this may be because the Here software is still Beta....at least I hope so. However will we see a navigation app that runs on the watch completely independently? There is enough storage to do it, or even retrieve maps via data as needed.
What can you do without a companion phone other than make calls and text? I saw a screenshot of XDA website on the phone.....how was that achieved? Is there a Tizen web browser app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bisto321 said:
Opera mini browser is available for the S - see here and here
Bit worried about the GPS too - I want to leave my phone at home and go out with just the watch. Bad news if the GPS doesn't function independently. Can't see why it wouldn't though?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got confirmation from 2 other users on my home forum that the GPS does not work when it is not tethered to the phone via bluetooth.
This is a serious WTF Samsung....
See here
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=3392810&view=findpost&p=71238465
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=3392810&view=findpost&p=71239757
and here
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=3392810&view=findpost&p=71241325
It does not work either in Here or S-Health GPS Lock. I'll start a thread for this.
Yes my plan is to pay full price for the Gear S and pair it with my phone enable always on Bluetooth tethering and use the phone Internet to use on my Gear S I will forward my calls and text to my watch and Bluetooth over apps that I have to download onto my phone. Basically I do not intend to ever use the Gear S standalone Internet the data allowed per month is very little I would have overage fees. My Note 4 is "unlimited" everything
Can you please check if u can read pdf file from it please ? try it
Fatadxb said:
Can you please check if u can read pdf file from it please ? try it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What app would do that onTizen?
ronaldheld said:
What app would do that onTizen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe try to read an email that has PDF content. this page says you need a 3rd party app no API for Tizen for PDF yet
https://developer.tizen.org/forums/.../viewing-pdf-files-odt-files-tizen-native-app
Some folks asked about if it's possible to use it as a stand alone device without the need of activating it in the first place with a Samsung device. It is! (I read that easter egg trick somewhere else in XDA for the Gear 2, it works as well for Gear S)
1. Jump to the screen, where it's visible for Samsung Devices in activation process. You'll see the unique name of your Gear S and a small Watch Icon on the left of the name
2. Tap around 25-30 times on the Watch Icon
3. Now a short message appears saying something about bluetooth. Just ignore it, it will vanish after a few seconds
4. Now tap again on the watch icon but this time leave your finger on the screen for around 5 seconds
5. Voilà, your Gear S is now activated, you can't use it as a remote Smartwatch but as a phone watch at least.
Hope, someone figures out how to pair it with Tab S soon since this is my phone
So, i hope it pairs with my LG G2 without much hassle? Remote sharing probably wont work because it is using Samsung account?
What about all other functions, like notifications, call forwarding etc? Is i even possible to reply on your phone and send via Gear S for messages
Akram. said:
So, i hope it pairs with my LG G2 without much hassle? Remote sharing probably wont work because it is using Samsung account?
What about all other functions, like notifications, call forwarding etc? Is i even possible to reply on your phone and send viapGear S for messages
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the Steps above don't work buy the watch in the store and have the store pair/ or you to pair it with the display Model of the Note 4 (A guy in the Gear S thread has an iphone and this worked for him) Everything should work as a regular phone besides downloading apps (that needs to connect to the gear manager) and updates ( needs gear manager) Search the Gear 2 thread (Pair with non-Samsung phone works the same for our watch) Tizen is the OS and it should all work the same
Uniquebarbee said:
If the Steps above don't work buy the watch in the store and have the store pair/ or you to pair it with the display Model of the Note 4 (A guy in the Gear S thread has an iphone and this worked for him) Everything should work as a regular phone besides downloading apps (that needs to connect to the gear manager) and updates ( needs gear manager) Search the Gear 2 thread (Pair with non-Samsung phone works the same for our watch) Tizen is the OS and it should all work the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it. I have S4 mini, but it is 4.2.2. I am afraid if the old version will not support.
Akram. said:
Got it. I have S4 mini, but it is 4.2.2. I am afraid if the old version will not support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you updat to 4.4.2 somehow? Correct 4.3 or higher
Compatible with Samsung devices with Android™ 4.3, Jelly Bean, or higher, including Samsung Galaxy S® III, Samsung Galaxy S® 4, Samsung Galaxy S® 4 mini, Samsung Galaxy S® 5, Samsung Galaxy S® 5 Sport, Samsung Galaxy Note® II, Samsung Galaxy Note® 3 or Samsung Galaxy Note® 4
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
• S Voice™ user interface to enable search and basic device-user communication
• IP67 water- and dust-resistant2
Akram. said:
Got it. I have S4 mini, but it is 4.2.2. I am afraid if the old version will not support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to upgrade to 4.4.2. I borrowed the s4 mini to set it up Sunday and its on 4.4.2.
Just tried this trick out and I'm happy to say it works perfectly. I have my gear s connected to my iPhone right now. You can receive and place calls directly from the watch.
deangeloparker84 said:
Just tried this trick out and I'm happy to say it works perfectly. I have my gear s connected to my iPhone right now. You can receive and place calls directly from the watch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good::good::highfive: that's awesome you hear this ppl it works with non Samsung devices
The Op method worked. Now how do i update and connect with my LG G2? In my phone it just says connecting
I connected Gear S to Kies and it says it already has the latest FW
So text messages notifications do not work. That's all I was able to test.
i have an htc m8 .. does this mean i won't get text message notifications either??
I dont think it will.
Gear Manager needs to forward the text notification to your Gear S from your phone.
You might be able to do text if you use at&t messages as a default messaging app try that.
Amazing. This worked. THANK YOU!
Questions:
1) Bluetooth between iPhone and Gear S keeps dropping. How do you fix this?
2) Can you pair the device with more than 1 device? So for example, it's now paired with my 6 Plus. Can add a Galaxy to it so I can add apps? Seems to always factory reset the device.
3) I know text doesn't work but can we use Calendars or Email somehow?
Cyman said:
Some folks asked about if it's possible to use it as a stand alone device without the need of activating it in the first place with a Samsung device. It is! (I read that easter egg trick somewhere else in XDA for the Gear 2, it works as well for Gear S)
1. Jump to the screen, where it's visible for Samsung Devices in activation process. You'll see the unique name of your Gear S and a small Watch Icon on the left of the name
2. Tap around 25-30 times on the Watch Icon
3. Now a short message appears saying something about bluetooth. Just ignore it, it will vanish after a few seconds
4. Now tap again on the watch icon but this time leave your finger on the screen for around 5 seconds
5. Voilà, you're Gear S is now activated, you can't use it as a remote Smartwatch but as a phone watch at least.
Hope, someone figures out how to pair it with Tab S soon since this is my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
simplegray said:
Amazing. This worked. THANK YOU!
Questions:
1) Bluetooth between iPhone and Gear S keeps dropping. How do you fix this?
2) Can you pair the device with more than 1 device? So for example, it's now paired with my 6 Plus. Can add a Galaxy to it so I can add apps? Seems to always factory reset the device.
3) I know text doesn't work but can we use Calendars or Email somehow?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regarding the question 2:
I have a Galaxy Note 2 and an Iphone. My Iphone is my main phone.
Currently, i successful paired my iphone without the factory reseting. To do that: first i rooted my Gear S. After i use the sdb tool (tizen wearable sdk):
./sdb root on
./sdb shell
and then
cd /var/lib/bluetooth
and i delete the directory with a lot of number (the bt adress of the gear) . Example rm -r C4:42:02:19:99:8D
After i can paired with the iphone without the factory reset.
The problem is i have to do the same thing to reconnect the Galaxy Note 2.
To be continued....
sticmou said:
Regarding the question 2:
I have a Galaxy Note 2 and an Iphone. My Iphone is my main phone.
Currently, i successful paired my iphone without the factory reseting. To do that: first i rooted my Gear S. After i use the sdb tool (tizen wearable sdk):
./sdb root on
./sdb shell
and then
cd /var/lib/bluetooth
and i delete the directory with a lot of number (the bt adress of the gear) . Example rm -r C4:42:02:19:99:8D
After i can paired with the iphone without the factory reset.
The problem is i have to do the same thing to reconnect the Galaxy Note 2.
To be continued....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hold on ... you're deleting the bluetooth address for the Gear?
And how are you not getting this:
No, i don't think that. This directory contains some bluetooth information relating the local (Gear S) address. When i (re)pair it, the directory becomes.
In fact, there is a sub directory with paired bt adresss containing some others informations. To be proper, i deleted the local directory: there is no memory reset, no app lost. I tried to merge the sub directory (the iphone and note 2 bt adress directory), but for the moment it's not concluant.
No, the pairing is sucessfully and i can make a phone call from the Gear S throw the Iphone. For an incoming call , it's another thing: the Gear S rings (but , it's configured in vibration model !), but there is no sound unlike i transferred the call to the iphone and after to the Gear S (not cool !).
sticmou said:
No, i don't think that. This directory contains some bluetooth information relating the local (Gear S) address. When i (re)pair it, the directory becomes.
In fact, there is a sub directory with paired bt adresss containing some others informations. To be proper, i deleted the local directory: there is no memory reset, no app lost. I tried to merge the sub directory (the iphone and note 2 bt adress directory), but for the moment it's not concluant.
No, the pairing is sucessfully and i can make a phone call from the Gear S throw the Iphone. For an incoming call , it's another thing: the Gear S rings (but , it's configured in vibration model !), but there is no sound unlike i transferred the call to the iphone and after to the Gear S (not cool !).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is your model number? SM-R750[?]
Yes, it's a Gear S SM-R750.
The ROM version (rooted, see another thread on xda) is R750XXU1BNJ7.