At launch, Samsung’s Galaxy Gear smartwatch was only compatible with the Galaxy Note 3, thanks to Android 4.3 being a pre-requisite for its use. The Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, and the Note 2 were next on the list to receive an update to Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, thus enabling owners to strap the Gear to their wrists too, should the mood take them.
Now, Samsung has announced the next round of devices which will soon sync up with the Galaxy Gear, thanks to a lovely Android 4.3 update. According to the press release, the three Galaxy S4 spin-offs – the Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy S4 Zoom, and Galaxy S4 Mini – will all join the club, along with the big-screen Galaxy Mega 5.8 and Galaxy Mega 6.4.
The update to Android 4.3 will start at the end of October, although exactly when it arrives on your phone is another matter entirely, as it’s down to the country in which you live, and the carrier to which you’re connected. Still, at least if you want to give the Galaxy Gear a try, you can start saving up for one of the $300 gadgets in the meantime.
Samsung’s Galaxy Gear hasn’t been the best reviewed product the company has released, with even a Samsung executive saying it, “Lacks something special.” Couple that with rumors of a revised version coming out early next year, and the Galaxy Gear lives up to the “concept” tag given to it prior to release. None of this has stopped Samsung from pushing the Galaxy Gear in a series of TV ads, though.
The Galaxy Gear has a 1.63-inch touchscreen, a 1.9-megapixel camera, comes in various colors, and was released in the U.S. at the beginning of the month.