Database Develop

MotoActv vs Galaxy Gear

Has anyone owned and/or used both? To me it looks like the (much older and cheaper) MotoActv has many (or more) features compared to the Galaxy Gear. Considering that both support custom hacks/roms is there any significant thing that either smartwatch can do over the other?

darkmuck said:
Has anyone owned and/or used both? To me it looks like the (much older and cheaper) MotoActv has many (or more) features compared to the Galaxy Gear. Considering that both support custom hacks/roms is there any significant thing that either smartwatch can do over the other?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The biggest is that the Motoactv can't vibrate. Which if you are wearing your watch to get notifications then that is a big one. Also of course it doesn't have mics or a speaker so you can't take calls or use something like SVoice.
I haven't touched my Motoactv since I got the Gear if that tells you anything....

motoACTV was a great idea, but it lacked certain features. it was definetly more advanced (open from the beginning as i remember) and it had unique features like fm tuner, gps, wifi and more. samsung should learn from them

hurdlejade said:
motoACTV was a great idea, but it lacked certain features. it was definetly more advanced (open from the beginning as i remember) and it had unique features like fm tuner, gps, wifi and more. samsung should learn from them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still have my Motoactv and use it when I run. With both wifi and gps it is still an awsome accessory. Now that Google owns Motorola I am sure they will have a preety cool product when they eventually roll out their smartwatch. If you find a MOtoactv cheap on the net I would recommend getting one. Great for workouts, and you can load custom Roms (Gingerbread). If it had launched with a vibrate motor, and/or a speaker it would been the ultimate smartwatch.
The Gear definately got a lot of things right and I enjoy wearing it every day. Wifi and GPS would be cool on the gear, but you would have the trade off of extra weight/size and battery drain. Looking forward to seeing what the Gear 2 and other manufacturers bring to the table this year. Till them I am very ahppy with my Gear.

darkmuck said:
Has anyone owned and/or used both? To me it looks like the (much older and cheaper) MotoActv has many (or more) features compared to the Galaxy Gear. Considering that both support custom hacks/roms is there any significant thing that either smartwatch can do over the other?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As of today I now own both. The MotoActv is mounted on my racing bicycle and I use it all the time along with MotoSync, linked to my S4. Just don't get it too wet....ask me how I know, so to this is my second MotoActv. Also max battery on the MotoActv when used as a bike computer is about 5 hours but I still love it for biking.

The Gear is a solid smartwatch with a strong future but the lack of at least some standalone capability really limits its capability. Its not the ultimate smartwatch ever but as of now, IMO its top dog.
I still find myself using my Actv. for weekend actvities and sometime I just grab it while on the couch, when I just want to use it like a tablet, and check eBay and read the happenings on the net. The Actv. is still, after all the time, is one of the top smartwatchs. If some of the Chinese manufacturers could improve thier build quality, it could possibly be dethroned.

Would you still get the Gear?

as the title says, would you buy again a gear today? or in the end it was an awful choice?

It would be an awful choice if I couldn't use Null ROM. But then on the other hand, all other smart watches currently released have way too limited functionality for what I would like SW to do.
So, stock Gear? Give me my money back.
Null ROM? I keep my gear.

Jerry69 said:
as the title says, would you buy again a gear today? or in the end it was an awful choice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GEAR = Worst + Expensive + To be not called a Gadget....

Yes. Although I did return my Galaxy Gear after Christmas to wait for the Gear 2. I'll be buying the Gear 2 over the Galaxy Gear. I think the watch is handy, especially when the Note 3 is in my pocket. I'm not looking for a toy or something to replace my Note 3, so I am satisfied with stock.

I would think this question would be better asked in the Gear General section but,
Yes, stock it is expensive crap. Null makes it amazing!
The bottom line is buy old Galaxy Gear for cheap or buy new Gear 2.... and that really depends on your $$$ and if Tizen is as unrestrictive as they are claiming it will be. So either way your good but rooting it is a must, and getting Null on it is key.

I sure would get it again!

I love my gear with null rom as it sits today. If I were in the market to buy a smart watch I would just wait til the NeptunePine is released.
Sent from my SM-N900P using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

hurdlejade said:
It would be an awful choice if I couldn't use Null ROM. But then on the other hand, all other smart watches currently released have way too limited functionality for what I would like SW to do.
So, stock Gear? Give me my money back.
Null ROM? I keep my gear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree! If the gg 2 is at the right price I may purchase, but the asking price for the gg was too much. I luckily picked mine up for half the price from a mate that got it free with his note 3.
Sent from my GT-N7105T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

AndiF85 said:
I agree! If the gg 2 is at the right price I may purchase, but the asking price for the gg was too much. I luckily picked mine up for half the price from a mate that got it free with his note 3.
Sent from my GT-N7105T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.

I own the Sony smartwatch 2. It is quite good with the stock. I just purchased the gear 1 at a bargain price in France to test it (60€!) And will root and install null ROM as a start.
From the Galaxy

I would buy it again. Cause it's even cheaper ^^ i have the hope that it will be possible to bring Samsungs Ultrapowersaving mode onto the gear. This is the only concearn i have about it...Batterydrain. Currently it runs on 2 cores 400mHz-1100mHz...still laggy sometimes...which annoyes cause of the clock syncing...
But i like this little thing...
GG2 is a no go with Tizen as long as i am not sure about the possibilities...

No.
In the previous year I had the Sony Smartwatch. After 2 weeks of continuous use, and serious effort to make the best of it, I stopped using it. I was disappointed mostly with the dim display which made it hard to use outside.
Last fall I got the Galaxy Gear, just weeks after it was available. Again, I made a concerted effort to use it and make the most of its functionality. But after a few weeks, again I stopped using it. My disappointment was:
MAJOR FAILINGS
- Bluetooth connection often fails when running outside (wanting to track performance on Runtastic app).
- Buggy (notification of missed calls)
POOR DESIGN
- Not adequately weather proof.
- Short battery life.
- Noisy when taking camera photo.
POOR FUTURE
- Very few third party apps. Evidence of now future apps being developed.
- Don't like that third party apps often use lots of resources on Note-3 phone.
I won't upgrade to the Galaxy Gear 2 either - since I have lots confidence in this type of device (smart watch).

Skeleton said:
POOR DESIGN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Curios to me that so many people does not like the design i like it. But Gear 2 is better. Except for the removed lock key and the removed screws...
Skeleton said:
- Noisy when taking camera photo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope not with Null rom. Photo taking is quiet.
Blame the government fot the sound.
Skeleton said:
POOR FUTURE
- Very few third party apps. Evidence of now future apps being developed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But other smartwatches use android. Devs developing apps for them? or not? In future Smartwatches will a normal thing. if the android smartwatch itself grows. The Galaxy Gear with android grows too...
Skeleton said:
I won't upgrade to the Galaxy Gear 2 either - since I have lots confidence in this type of device (smart watch).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope Tizen fails and they will bring back an Android Gear with the Note 4...Tizen makes this a nogo for me. Because of the compatibility to android...for the moment...

Bell Canada drops price of Galaxy Gear Smartwatch to $99 (Clearance)
'Nuff said!
Be Well,
DrNicket

Taizen will and feel like Touchwiz. This way the regular consumer will not notice the engine underneath. The same will likely happen to phones down the road as samsung wants to have control of their own ecosystem. Soon many more apps will appear on the samsung app store that mimics thier android counterpart and the majority of users will not notice they are using tizen, nor will they care as long as they have the 'samsung experience'
Sent from my KFAPWI using Tapatalk

I think the Gear is great fun. It's not meant to be a fancy mini phone which I think too many people think it is/should be.
However, I just put Null on last night and either Iäm really missing something or I just don't get it. But. I prefer stock. It's fussy, trying to be a tiny phone which is pointless and it destroys battery. Stock up to 4 day usually 3 days and recharge at 20% or so, Null, less than 1 day, barely touched the watch, 20% after 18 hours. Rubbish! Only thing it has gained for me is the ability to see Facebook messenger (technically, as message received today didn't show) although you can't reply which kinda makes it pointless, and also Gmail, but again can't reply so kinda pointless. Unless reading around, I find something that everyone else is getting excited about Null, iäm flashing stick back. I way prefer the simple look of it too.
So for me, stock GG is great, but buy of eBay or something cause 300 is way too much

Clarky78 said:
I think the Gear is great fun. It's not meant to be a fancy mini phone which I think too many people think it is/should be.
However, I just put Null on last night and either Iäm really missing something or I just don't get it. But. I prefer stock. It's fussy, trying to be a tiny phone which is pointless and it destroys battery. Stock up to 4 day usually 3 days and recharge at 20% or so, Null, less than 1 day, barely touched the watch, 20% after 18 hours. Rubbish! Only thing it has gained for me is the ability to see Facebook messenger (technically, as message received today didn't show) although you can't reply which kinda makes it pointless, and also Gmail, but again can't reply so kinda pointless. Unless reading around, I find something that everyone else is getting excited about Null, iäm flashing stick back. I way prefer the simple look of it too.
So for me, stock GG is great, but buy of eBay or something cause 300 is way too much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you are missing the whole point of null ROM...do a little of homework
Sent from my KFAPWI using Tapatalk

Just picked up a GG for £125 in o2, so far quite impressed, not blown away, but by the time I can upgrade (Galaxy note 4,5?), hopefully the third iteration will be kicking about, it's brilliant as a media remote (as beats don't allow for volume up /down etc. ) feedly is fun to.
All in all, yes I think I would by another iteration of the GG.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app

[Q] galaxy gear 1/2 Tizen vs android

Hello all
Now when google show new shell of android(wear) for watches I think its better to stay on gear 1 because android>new android and on gear 2 we have tizen. What You think its possible to jump from tizen to google wear(android).

Doesn't make much sense to what you said. There is very little comparison at this point.
You know what you get (or don't get) with Gear, and quite a bit of info on Gear 2. Nobody knows how Android Wear will turn out. So what you have is now all vapourware with a lot of speculation regarding the usability, features, price and quality of these products. Not to mention batterylife.
Google Glass is also similar. I keep hearing about it and reading in the news, but absolutely nothing in terms of real end user availability. Also, it has been reported that the old Gear will be updated to Tizen within few months. You also have a HTML5-based sdk available for Gear 2.
At this time, the reality is that you only have Gear, Pebble and Sony. You may have to wait for 6-12 months for other devices to show up. By that time, Samsung and Sony would have launched 3rd Gen Gears!

As long as I have a watch I can customise to my liking, I'm happy
Will be good to be able to pick a phone and watch combo instead of being stuck with matching ones (as good as Samsung phones are, there are others out there just as good)

Anyone else feeling a bit shafted by the Gear?

As a Gear owner, I've enjoyed the device from day 1, but I can't help but feel like it's reached the end of it's lifespan.
I always thought the lack of apps for the original android version was lame, so when I heard of Tizen support I thought, great! But despite Tizen being a better OS for this particular watch (IMO), Samsung aren't doing it justice. I'm particularly annoyed for 3 reasons:
1. On the android it had a Runtastic app, which I used daily. On the upgrade to Tizen, Kies warned of apps that wouldn't crossover and Runtastic wasn't one of them. But they lied, no Runtastic app for Tizen
2. Apps are slowly coming out for the Gear 2, such as a PayPal but not for the Gear 1. Why?! They aren't that drastically different devices...grr.
3. Now with Android Wearables such as the Gear Live, the number of apps is already far superior to the number of apps over the lifespan of my gear. Evernote is back, Runstastic, not to mention QR codes, maps, Duolingo etc. Reasonably well known names, not just some cack apps for golf that rarely work anyway.
Seriously annoyed. If any of these Google Wearable devices had a camera, I'd be seriously tempted to swap.
Thoughts
PS I'm not trolling my own device, I'm just frustrated!

jonboyuk said:
As a Gear owner, I've enjoyed the device from day 1, but I can't help but feel like it's reached the end of it's lifespan.
I always thought the lack of apps for the original android version was lame, so when I heard of Tizen support I thought, great! But despite Tizen being a better OS for this particular watch (IMO), Samsung aren't doing it justice. I'm particularly annoyed for 3 reasons:
1. On the android it had a Runtastic app, which I used daily. On the upgrade to Tizen, Kies warned of apps that wouldn't crossover and Runtastic wasn't one of them. But they lied, no Runtastic app for Tizen
2. Apps are slowly coming out for the Gear 2, such as a PayPal but not for the Gear 1. Why?! They aren't that drastically different devices...grr.
3. Now with Android Wearables such as the Gear Live, the number of apps is already far superior to the number of apps over the lifespan of my gear. Evernote is back, Runstastic, not to mention QR codes, maps, Duolingo etc. Reasonably well known names, not just some cack apps for golf that rarely work anyway.
Seriously annoyed. If any of these Google Wearable devices had a camera, I'd be seriously tempted to swap.
Thoughts
PS I'm not trolling my own device, I'm just frustrated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really. Price point is such that you can have a few different devices. I have a Gear and a Toq and will get the G Watch.
Mostly wear the Toq but occasionally wear the Gear.
That said, I never really used any apps on either watch so it doesn't bother me that there aren't many.

mhoepfin said:
Not really. Price point is such that you can have a few different devices. I have a Gear and a Toq and will get the G Watch.
Mostly wear the Toq but occasionally wear the Gear.
That said, I never really used any apps on either watch so it doesn't bother me that there aren't many.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm I think the price point thing is entirely subjective given that I'm a student and can't afford multiple watches.

Seriously, compared to just normal watches, these things are a steal
I don't think there is much that can be improved on the gear
It was a first gen device so it's not going to have a huge following
I'm happy with the apps, ofcourse would've liked more. But I can do pretty much everything I want

I'm with you on the app support. Mapmyride is not available on Tizen for me.
I get the feeling we won't see many more apps for Tizen either.
You can't really compare the price of the gear, or any smart watch, to normal high quality watches. If you buy a good watch it will still be useful 10 or 20 years later and may even appreciate in value. A smart watch will probably be a paper weight in 2 years as technology moves on.

For those of you missing runtastic and map my ride the Strava app seems to cover most of their features nicely. I'm using it every day while I cycle. Might be worth checking out.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using XDA Free mobile app

wiccan-two said:
For those of you missing runtastic and map my ride the Strava app seems to cover most of their features nicely. I'm using it every day while I cycle. Might be worth checking out.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers lad. Sadly I'm half way through a runtastic fitness plan, so I can't just switch

Original Gear Desirable
jonboyuk said:
Cheers lad. Sadly I'm half way through a runtastic fitness plan, so I can't just switch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, the original Gear is desirable so I don't feel shafted by Samsung. It's the only one that runs Android so plenty of applications are and will be available. I find battery life acceptable and the Gear offers some hardware features such as a camera and speaker that some of the newer watches do not. If I ever want to put Tizen on it, I can. However, if I were an owner of one of the recent Tizen watches I might feel shafted since it is yet to be shown that Tizen will get adequate support.

Question About to buy Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro - Please help

As one who owns an iPhone, to buy and use the GW5 Pro to the fullest, I am fine with owning a cheap Android device for Samsung Health. I am not in a country where SHM is supported. Can I do the below? If so, what are the caveats/limitations?
1) Preferable: Buy an Android tablet and install the modded SHM app on it. If this can work without issues, what's a nice tablet to get?
2) Buy an Android phone. Not preferable but I will get one if no other choice. Is Samsung Galaxy recommended over other Android phones? Since the app isn't supported in my country, does it matter what Android phone I install it on?
Please let me know.
And the reason I don't want an Apple watch is because they're useless for anything other than manual heartrate monitoring. I used the Apple Series 7 for three months and it spent less time on my wrist and more on the charging puck. What I want is body measurement, calorie intake, stress measurement and passive sleep tracking for a targeted daily routine.

Maxters said:
As one who owns an iPhone, to buy and use the GW5 Pro to the fullest, I am fine with owning a cheap Android device for Samsung Health. I am not in a country where SHM is supported. Can I do the below? If so, what are the caveats/limitations?
1) Preferable: Buy an Android tablet and install the modded SHM app on it. If this can work without issues, what's a nice tablet to get?
2) Buy an Android phone. Not preferable but I will get one if no other choice. Is Samsung Galaxy recommended over other Android phones? Since the app isn't supported in my country, does it matter what Android phone I install it on?
Please let me know.
And the reason I don't want an Apple watch is because they're useless for anything other than manual heartrate monitoring. I used the Apple Series 7 for three months and it spent less time on my wrist and more on the charging puck. What I want is body measurement, calorie intake, stress measurement and passive sleep tracking for a targeted daily routine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly ,
I can tell you ,an Android Tablet, wont work with a Samsung Galaxy watch 4 or any other Samsung Smartwatch ( as far as i know or my own experience )
I have a old Samsung Gear S3 ,Galaxy Fit and the Samsung Watch 4 .
I have installed Galaxy Wearable app on my Android Tablet S 6 Lite ,
It installs ,but that it .....i got a "toast message " basically
stating that the Tablet is not compatible with a /any smatchwatch ...???
Yes" somebody ""might have found a workaround ,to this....?
but i doubt it ,as most of the post ,i have seen on Web ,has been complaining that they cannot install/connect their smartwatch .
Yes ,it should be compatible with Samsung phone or other Android phones ???
Secondly
To get an idea what you can do re SH app and workaround on how to enable certain function ? , that might not be available in your Country , ( ? ) read this XDA thread ,for ideas ..... !!!
[RESTRICTIONS-REMOVED] Samsung Health Monitor - WearOS - 1.1.3.002 - Root, Age, Country & Device Restriction Removed - 23rd May 2023
Hello Everyone, I hope you all are fine... ~~~ WearOS WATCHES ONLY ~~~ ~~~ FEATURES, BUGS & FUTURE WORKS~~~ FEATURES: Works on Samsung Watch4 and Watch5 (as mentioned Samsung WearOS Watches), Multilanguage, no root detection, no country...
forum.xda-developers.com
Good luck

Thanks for your comment. It's too bad that it won't work with a tablet, I could've used a tablet.
Just on that second question then; since I'll be side-loading the app, will any phone be equally good or will getting a Samsung Galaxy phone still be better. Also, will a phone like Samsung Galaxy A03 work? That seems to be the cheapest phone right now.

It will work on any Android phone, but it works best with Samsung phone. Especially the Galaxy phones. People have had issues pairing the watch to other phones, but I have read others that have paired with little to no issues.
May I ask, would a FitBit type of watch work where you are located? It would have the functions you are looking for and work with most phones.

dalepl said:
May I ask, would a FitBit type of watch work where you are located? It would have the functions you are looking for and work with most phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis is what draws me to this watch primarily. And the fact that this has a larger battery which can last 3 days or more. I'm less interested in those other basic features like steps counted, GPS tracking, exercise activities etc and more into state of being. So yeah, a fitbit-type watch wouldn't work.

OK. Understand. In that case, if possible, you should stick with a Galaxy phone. If you use another Samsung phone you should be OK but be aware you may have to work with it to get the watch to connect. I would not recommend using other Android phones. The connect app for the Watch 5 is the Samsung Wear App and if you get a different Android device, you will have to side load the app and hope it will work.

A friend of mine was in a smiliar situation with his GW4. At first he connected it to his wife's phone, but then he got a small cheap Android phone, which worked great for him. This is what I would suggest you as well. You can carry it with you or not, the watch works perfectly in airplane mode, or if you want the notifications in standalone mode (if connected to wifi or LTE).
You can even buy a cheap budget Samsung phone if you want to have ECG and BP out of the box, but you can easily sideload ECG and BP apps (instructions here on XDA) and use them with any Android phone, so it doesn't have to be a Samsung phone at all.
I got a Watch 5 Pro just 10 days ago, and I'm super happy with it. It's lighter and smaller than I thought it would be and it even looks much better than in pictures. On a hand it looks less thick than on photos. The band is comfortable and so much easier to use than other regular bands. It charges fast and the battery life is great - 2 full days with AOD and 3 without AOD. It could go for longer if I don't fiddle with it as much as I do, lol! And not have literally everything on, even automatic workout detections and sleep tracking. Google maps navigation on a watch is great, btw! More useful than I thought it would be.
I have a non-Samsung Android phone and everything works great, of course.

dalepl said:
OK. Understand. In that case, if possible, you should stick with a Galaxy phone. If you use another Samsung phone you should be OK but be aware you may have to work with it to get the watch to connect. I would not recommend using other Android phones. The connect app for the Watch 5 is the Samsung Wear App and if you get a different Android device, you will have to side load the app and hope it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything works perfectly for every Android phone! Samsung's Wear app is really good and has worked perfectly for me for already 2 years with one Tizen and one WearOS Samsung watch. No delay with a single notification ever! I can't say the same for some other bands and watches I tried (Honor/Huawei and Xiaomi).
Sideloading the ECG and BP apps works as well on GW5 Pro. No problem there, thanks to ADB and Android being so customizable...

Maxters said:
Thanks for your comment. It's too bad that it won't work with a tablet, I could've used a tablet.
Just on that second question then; since I'll be side-loading the app, will any phone be equally good or will getting a Samsung Galaxy phone still be better. Also, will a phone like Samsung Galaxy A03 work? That seems to be the cheapest phone right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're asking will any Android phone work with the Watch 5, yes any Android phone will work, and there's no advantage of having a Samsung model.

dalepl said:
OK. Understand. In that case, if possible, you should stick with a Galaxy phone. If you use another Samsung phone you should be OK but be aware you may have to work with it to get the watch to connect. I would not recommend using other Android phones. The connect app for the Watch 5 is the Samsung Wear App and if you get a different Android device, you will have to side load the app and hope it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree with this. There is no reason not to use any brand Android phone with a Galaxy Watch.