Gear S3 Frontier – Why this major update WON’T be available for Samsung smartwatch

SAMSUNG

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier won't get this update

UPDATE: LG has now revealed its first smartwatches that will run Android Wear 2.0.

The LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style will be launched in the UK later this month, giving users the chance to try Android Wear 2.0 first hand within the next few weeks.

The LG Watch Sport goes for more athletic customers, with built-in GPS and 4G LTE connectivity making it an intelligent standalone device.

In contrast, the LG Watch Style is a slimmer, more stylish device which is available in silver, titanium and rose gold colour schemes.

Both devices come with a rotating side button for quick navigation, which users can turn to read messages or scroll through menus.

ORIGINAL STORY: Samsung's Galaxy S3 Frontier is one of the best smartwatches currently on the market.

With a rugged design, always-on display, three day battery life and in-built GPS there's not many wearables that can match its flagship features.

However, as Express.co.uk's recent Gear S3 Frontier review revealed, there is a problem with this watch and it's all down to its Tizen operating system.

Samsung has opted for its own-brand OS and, although we like the way it looks, the lack of apps is hugely frustrating.

Now there's another issue for the Frontier with Google announcing a major update of its popular Android Wear operating system.

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier, Gear S3 Classic Smartwatch – In Pictures Tue, August 30, 2016

SAMSUNG has revealed it's new Gear S3 Classic and Frontier smartwatches at the IFA consumer technology show, in Berlin.

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Samsung's new Gear S3 Classic and Frontier smartwatch

Many of Samsung's rivals, including LG and Motorola, use Android Wear to power their wearables and this new update could give them the edge over the Tizen-packed Gear Frontier.

Google's Android Wear 2.0 update will place artificial intelligence in the company's wearables for the first time.

Android Wear 2.0, which will begin rolling out to all current Android Wear smartwatch users "in the coming weeks", will include Google Assistant, the tech giant's AI virtual helper which responds to voice commands.

The first official devices that could ship with Google's Android Wear 2.0 might be unveiled at Mobile World Congress at the end of the month.

The LG Watch Sport appears to target fitness fans, featuring mobile connectivity and a rubber strap that should be waterproof and rustproof.

Meanwhile, the LG Watch Style looks to appeal to those searching for a more compact solution, with a smaller face and battery.

The LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style could be priced around $249 at launch which is significantly cheaper than the Samsung Gear S3 Frontier and Gear S3 Classic.

LG

The LG Watch Sport looks to target users with an affinity for the outdoors

PH

LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style could arrive at MWC later this month

Speaking about the Android Wear update, engineering chief David Singleton, said "While traditional watches tell the time, Android Wear watches make the most of your time.

"In an instant, you can check when and where you're meeting a friend, whether you'll need an umbrella tonight, or how many minutes you've been active today-all without reaching for your phone.

"Today, we're launching Android Wear 2.0 to give you watch faces that do more, better ways to work out, more ways to stay in touch, new ways to use apps, and on-the-go help from Google Assistant.

"We're also introducing two new watches featuring Android Wear 2.0."

As part of the Google Assistant integration, users will be able to add items to their shopping lists, set reminders and make restaurant reservations directly from their watches.

Original Article