Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo Smartwatches Are Official

Samsung Electronics today introduced the Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo smartwatches, both based on a Tizen-based wearable platform. Tizen is an operating system Samsung is developing with Intel and a handful of telecommunications companies, including Japan's NTT DoCoMo and France's Orange SA. Samsung keeps working with Google, using its Android operating system to power most of its devices.

"Samsung continues to lead innovation in the wearable market by creating devices that are completely integrated into the lives of consumers through extended connectivity features, stylish customization options and a robust application ecosystem," Said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. "With the Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, we have enhanced everything consumers love about the Gear to offer unparalleled smart freedom in their everyday life."

Samsung said its new smartwatch will come in two models, including a lower-priced version with no camera function.

Both devices offer a lightweight design. A Camera is equipped to a main body instead to strap, making the Samsung Gear 2 a sleek smart companion. The lower-priced Gear 2 Neo version has no camera function.

Strap color options include Charcoal Black, Gold Brown and Wild Orange for Gear 2 and Charcoal Black, Mocha Grey and Wild Orange for Gear 2 Neo. The home screen background, clock face and font are also customizable.

The Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo are companion devices, as they allow users to accept or ignore incoming calls and messages, and providing notification options based on a user's activity.

Both devices are also offering users standalone features, such as controlling electronic products such as TV, settop box through WatchON Remote application in their own home with an embedded IrLED sensor. They also feature a standalone music player with Bluetooth headset.

Both devices also offer personal fitness coaching in real time, allowing users to develop a customizable fitness routine and monitor their heart rate.

Finally, the Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo let users connect to a variety of Samsung devices and access an application ecosystem as the first wearable powered by Tizen based wearable platform. Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo are compatible with more than dozens of Samsung Galaxy smartphones at launch.

Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo will be available around the world starting from April.

Google and LG are also said to be working on a smartwatch that will be unveiled in June at the Google I/O conference.

Display	1.63" Super AMOLED (320 x 320)
AP	1.0 GHz Dual Core Processor
OS	Tizen based wearable platform
Camera	Gear 2 : 2.0 Megapixel Auto Focus (1920×1080, 1080×1080, 1280×960)
Camera	Gear 2 Neo : N/A
Video	Codec: H.264, H.263 Format: 3GP, MP4 HD (720p, @30fps) Playback & Recording
Audio	Codec: MP3/AAC/AMR/Vorbis Format: MP3, M4A, AAC, OGG
Camera features	Auto Focus Camera, Sound & Shot, Location Tags, Signature
Additional features	Fitness Features: Heart Rate sensor Pedometer Exercise Standalone Modes: Running, Walking Companion Modes: Cycling, Hiking Sleep&Stress (Downloadable)
	Music Player with Bluetooth Headset and Speaker
	WatchON Remote: Remote Controller via IrLED Sensor
	Basic Features: Bluetooth Call, Camera, Notification(SMS, E-mail, Apps), Media Controller, Schedule, Smart Relay, S Voice, Stopwatch, Timer, Weather
	More Features (Downloadable): Calculator, ChatON, Flashlight, Quick Settings, Voice Memo
	Changeable Strap Color Options: Gear 2 : Charcoal Black, Gold Brown and Wild Orange Gear 2 Neo : Charcoal Black, Mocha Grey and Wild Orange
	IP67 Certified Dust and Water Resistant, Noise Cancellation
Featured App	Banjo, BMW, CNN , Conde Nast, Expedia, eBay, Evernote, Feedly, GARMIN, Glympse, GM (Onstar 4GLTE), iControl, Line,Path, Paypal, RUNTASTIC, Volkswagen, Weather Channel, Under Armour (Map my fitness)
Samsung Services	Samsung Apps
Connectivity	Bluetooth v4.0 LE, IrLED
Sensor	Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Heart Rate
Memory	RAM: 512MB Storage: 4GB Internal Memory
Dimension	Gear 2 : 36.9 x 58.4x 10.0 mm, 68g
Dimension	Gear 2 Neo : 37.9 x 58.8 x 10.0mm, 55g
Battery	Standard Battery, Li-ion 300mAh Typical Usage 2~3 days, Low Usage up to 6 days