Samsung renames Gear app as Galaxy Wearable, also fixing Android Pie compatibility issues
Samsung’s Apple Watch “killer” has a new name, the same old software platform (sorry, Wear OS fans), a largely familiar design, incrementally upgraded specs, an identical release date as the Galaxy Note 9, and now a rebranded smartphone connection and management app.
Previously known as Samsung Gear, the Galaxy Wearable app available as a free Google Play download obviously adds Galaxy Watch support. That’s the only thing listed in the “what’s new” section after an August 14 update, but starting today, it also appears you can finally pair Android Pie handsets with Gear S3, S2, Gear Sport, Gear Fit 2, Gear Fit 2 Pro, and Gear IconX wearables.
All these smartwatches and activity trackers have had trouble connecting with phones running the latest OS version ever since Android P beta tests began, and the catastrophic compatibility bugs didn’t go away after the general release of stable 9.0 Pie either.
Basically, opening the old Samsung Gear app would result in crashes and random phone reboots for many users, forcing owners of the aforementioned Gear-branded devices to give up their advanced functionality.
That nightmare seems to be over, according to a few online reports, although it’s probably too early to be certain the issues have been universally ironed out for good. After all, there might be a reason why the app’s changelog doesn’t include any mention of Android 9 Pie support.
Previously known as Samsung Gear, the Galaxy Wearable app available as a free Google Play download obviously adds Galaxy Watch support. That’s the only thing listed in the “what’s new” section after an August 14 update, but starting today, it also appears you can finally pair Android Pie handsets with Gear S3, S2, Gear Sport, Gear Fit 2, Gear Fit 2 Pro, and Gear IconX wearables.
All these smartwatches and activity trackers have had trouble connecting with phones running the latest OS version ever since Android P beta tests began, and the catastrophic compatibility bugs didn’t go away after the general release of stable 9.0 Pie either.
Basically, opening the old Samsung Gear app would result in crashes and random phone reboots for many users, forcing owners of the aforementioned Gear-branded devices to give up their advanced functionality.
That nightmare seems to be over, according to a few online reports, although it’s probably too early to be certain the issues have been universally ironed out for good. After all, there might be a reason why the app’s changelog doesn’t include any mention of Android 9 Pie support.
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