Samsung today confirmed that it's releasing the second Gear S2 Value Pack update which brings over loads of features from the Gear S3 to the Gear S2. This update brings additional customization options for the Gear S2 as users will now be able to download and use the Gear S3's preloaded watch faces via the Galaxy Apps store.
The Gear S2 also gets support for the new Reminders app and the Alti-Barometer app introduced with the Gear S3. The update also enhances the rotating bezel's functionality by enabling users to accept or reject calls, dismiss alarms, timers and alerts with just a twist of the bezel. A clockwise turn answers or acknowledges a call or alert while a counterclockwise turn rejects it.
Gear S2 gets the new Handwriting Mode with this update which has support for superimposed writing. Users will now be able to scrawl messages on the smartwatch itself in English, Korean or Chinese without having to wait for each letter to be converted into text. Users can also sketch, send emoji and even dictate texts of the go.
S Health has been updated as well to automatically recognize more activities such as walking, running, cycling, elliptical, and more. High-intensity activities will now be logged as “Other Workouts.” The Gear S2 can automatically count reps for gym-standard exercises like star jumps, lunges, squats and more now. The new Auto Pause feature will automatically suspend tracking if a user needs to stop mid-exercise. The tracking functionality resumes automatically when the user gets going again.
Support for third-party widgets from the likes of USA Today, Uber and Yelp is included in this update as well. There are new and improved widgets for contacts, weather, S Health and more. The new Gear S2 update improves safety and security as well by providing support for location tracking. Users can initiate an SOS alert by pressing the Gear S2's home button three times, their designated contacts will then automatically receive their location via Glympse.
Last but not the least, the update also provides Gear S2 users access to smartwatch games on the Galaxy Apps store, including titles like Monster Vampire and Stack, currently there are more than 100 titles available for the smartwatch on the Galaxy Apps store.
This update bearing Tizen version number 2.3.2.1 and weighing at just over 133MB has been launched in major markets today and Samsung says that it's going to be available worldwide in the coming weeks.
