Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro and Gear Fit2 allow users to get more out of their workouts and meet their fitness goals with detailed-yet-concise fitness information. Samsung remains committed to improving the user experience of its wearables through software updates and the GPS sports bands’ latest update is set to improve the way data is displayed.

The update makes tracking fitness goals even easier by connecting the sports bands’ new Weight Management and Fitness Program functions to your phone’s Samsung Health application. Weight Management displays your daily exercise and food consumption, helping you to keep tabs on calories in and calories out. Fitness Program allows you to connect your sports band to your smartphone and sync with your TV, as you access, follow and control exercise video content from your device.

Weight Management functions (left) Fitness Program function (right)

Several changes have been made to streamline the way information is shown. The Workout Screen is now easier to read, offering a clear view of three pieces of workout data at a time, which can be customized from options including distance traveled, calories burned, duration of an exercise, and the user’s heart rate, depending on the type of exercise. Additionally, your favorite exercises can be stored as presets on the new Multi-workouts widget, offering you speedier access to them when you’re ready to get started. What’s more, the Health Summary widget displays your total exercise for the day, so that you check your progress with one swift glance.

Workout screen (left), Multi-workouts widget (center), Health Summary widget (right)

The latest software update for Gear Fit2 Pro and Gear Fit2 is available to download via the Samsung Gear app.

Samsung Electronics today introduced three new devices to its industry-leading wearable portfolio: Gear Sport, a sleek and versatile fitness-focused smartwatch that is water resistant; Gear Fit2 Pro, an upgraded GPS sports band with smart features; and Gear IconX, a second generation of the company’s groundbreaking cord-free earbuds. Samsung’s new Gear devices were designed to help consumers get the most out of their day, and help them live a healthy and well-balanced life.

The new Gear devices assist with a range of activities – from robust fitness tracking to nutrition and sleep monitoring, as well as motivational coaching as a lifestyle companion. By introducing new smart capabilities and easy-to-use features, and by partnering with leading names in tech and fitness, Samsung is helping consumers go beyond fitness and accomplish big things.

“At Samsung, we celebrate the everyday athlete – whether you’re going for a light jog, or training for your next triathlon. We have a long history of embracing choice and innovation, and our wearables are designed to help consumers of varying fitness levels meet their goals and aspirations. We want to help remove the stigma that fit can only mean one thing and that fitness trackers are complex and for only the most intense of workouts,” said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “Our new Samsung Gear wearables help consumers ‘go beyond fitness’ and enjoy an active, balanced and fulfilled life in a smart and seamless way.”

As part of this updated line-up, Samsung created new capabilities for Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro:

• Industry-Leading Water Resistance and Swim Tracking: An ideal companion for any swim – from laps to playing in the pool – these devices are 5 ATM¹ certified for water resistance. Now with Speedo’s latest swimming training app, Speedo On, the Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro also allow you to easily track key swim metrics including lap count, lap time, stroke type and more.
• Top-of-the-line Heart Rate Monitoring: With improved accuracy, the devices offer advanced real-time heart rate monitoring. They help you continuously monitor your heart activity – whether it’s enjoying a stress-free nap or an invigorating cycling class.
• Premium Partnerships: Daily activity can be supplemented with updated Under Armour and Spotify partnerships. Both devices provide access to Under Armour’s fitness apps including Under Armour Record, MyFitnessPal®, MapMyRun® and Endomondo for activity, nutrition, sleep and fitness tracking functions – these apps provide users with a holistic picture of their health and fitness. Spotify’s Offline mode lets you listen to your favorite music online, offline or even without your smartphone so you can enjoy your favorite tunes regardless of location.
• Auto Activity Detection: Automatic activity detection built into the devices are in tune with your body and can recognize the following categories of activities: Walking, Running, Cycling and performing Dynamic Activities that could include dancing to basketball.
• Personalized Motivation: You can customize your own wellness plan with tailored goals and alerts.

Gear Sport: A New Versatile Smartwatch to Support an Active and Balanced Lifestyle 

Gear Sport is stylish, yet practical with a minimalistic, circular bezel, Super AMOLED 1.2-inch display and improved user interface that makes it easy to view information, even when on-the-go. With Gear Sport, users can work to achieve health and wellness goals, and receive nutrition management alerts and activity recommendations even when they are offline.

Designed with military-level durability, it can handle a wide-range of environments.³  With its sleek, ergonomic form that can be worn in a variety of colorful and easily changeable standard 20mm straps, it is perfect for any occasion so you can effortlessly transition from the gym to a night out with friends. Gear Sport will be available in Blue and Black and also includes Gear foundational functions:

• Control of Samsung IoT-enabled devices through Samsung Connect
• Act as a remote control, whether for a PowerPoint presentation or Samsung Gear VR headset
• Pay for goods with a flick of the wrist via Samsung Pay (NFC Only)⁴

Gear Fit2 Pro: An Advanced GPS Fitness Band

In addition to the new swim and heart rate monitoring capabilities, the new Gear Fit2 Pro features advanced built-in GPS tracking to capture your run or ride with accurate activity tracking. Gear Fit2 Pro’s Super AMOLED curved 1.5-inch display and a high-resolution color touchscreen make real-time updates and notifications easier to read. The all-new secure, ergonomic band is light weight and comfortable to use for all activities. Available in Black and Red, its versatile design also makes it a stylish accessory.

Gear IconX: Comfortable Fit, Cord-Free Earbuds

IconX cord-free earbuds let you effortlessly listen to your favorite music – making your daily commute more enjoyable and helping you get more from your workout. Music can be enjoyed on and offline by transferring songs from a Samsung smartphone⁵ or PC, or accessing your favorite tunes through Bluetooth connectivity. The earbuds are also your newest connection to Bixby.⁶ With a simple tap and hold of the earbud you can use your voice to control your music or your phone – without even having it in your hand.

The updated design comes in Black, Gray and Pink and is even more ergonomic and lightweight so they are effectively secure, comfortable and stylish to use. For the fitness enthusiast, the Gear IconX automatically tracks your running routines, and also features the standalone Running Coach function which can be activated by simply tapping the earbud to provide in-ear audio⁷ exercise status updates – in real-time and without your phone. With a fast-charging and improved battery life of up to five hours of music streaming or seven hours of standalone music playback, and up to 4GB of internal storage, you can enjoy a seamless and fully standalone music listening experience.

Get a first look at Samsung’s new Gear wearables in the official trailer below.

For more product information, please visit news.samsung.com/global or www.samsungmobilepress.com.

Samsung Gear Sport Specifications

Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro Specifications

Samsung Gear IconX (2018) Specifications 

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

¹Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro have ISO 22810:2010 certification for wristwatches for 5 ATM rating of 50 meters (165 feet) under defined conditions of pressure, time, velocity and temperature. This means that both devices are safe to wear while walking in the rain or showering, and may be used for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or the ocean. However, the Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro should not be used for scuba diving, waterskiing, or other activities involving sudden temperature changes, high-velocity water activities or submersion below shallow depth. Rinse in fresh water and dry after use in sea water.

²UUnder Armour’s MapMyRun, Endomondo and Under Armour Record for Gear devices are not supported in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Under Armour’s MyFitness Pal for Gear devices is not supported in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

³ Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro are MIL-STD-810G certified.

⁴NFC support only. Service availability may vary by country.

⁵The Gear IconX is compatible with devices running Android 4.4 and above.

⁶Limited to Samsung devices with Bixby voice capabilities including Galaxy Note8, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

⁷The Gear IconX voice guide supports nine languages including U.S. English, Chinese Mandarin, Spanish, German, French, Korean, Italian, Russian and Japanese.

‘Auto Pause’ Exercise

With the Gear Fit2’s new Auto Pause feature, the device will recognize when a user who is engaging in a cardiovascular activity such as running or cycling suddenly stops—say, for a traffic light, or simply to take a break—and will pause its fitness-tracking functions accordingly.

As the Gear Fit2 recognizes exercise status automatically, users are not required to interact with the device in order to pause or resume their workout. Rather, as soon as the user resumes the exercise, the Gear Fit2 will register the change and pick up tracking functions right where he or she left off.

Automated Dynamic Workout Tracking

The update also expands the number of exercises the Gear Fit2 is capable of automatically registering. Already recognized repetitive-motion exercises such as running, walking and elliptical and rowing sessions are now joined by a diverse range of fun, high-intensity activities such as basketball, table tennis, badminton, dancing and soccer.

The Gear Fit2 tracks these activities with its motion sensor, and whenever a user engages in one for more than 10 minutes, it logs the session as a “Dynamic Workout”. The device is capable of recording several other common and engaging fitness activities as well, providing users with more freedom—and motivation—to optimize their exercise in the manner they prefer.

Streamlined Sets for Indoor Activities

Because every step, set and rep counts when pursuing one’s fitness goals, the Gear Fit2’s new Set feature streamlines the management of repetition-based exercises such as crunches, lunges, squats and star jumps—an activity for which support was added with the update—to help users train more effectively.

Users can input their desired number of repetitions and sets per exercise and the Gear Fit2 will start tallying their progress as soon as they begin. Moreover, because getting adequate rest between sets is key for efficient training, the device will display appropriate break intervals between sets to help users catch their breath and maximize their effort.

Featuring automatic activity detection and support for a variety of exercises, the Gear Fit2 GPS sports band keeps track of vital fitness data without breaking a sweat. But how exactly does it work, and how can it help you reach your personal health goals? Here are a few common questions and answers to help you get better acquainted with the versatile fitness tool.

Q. What kinds of exercises can the Gear Fit2 track?

Experts advise taking a well-rounded approach to personal fitness, which is why the Gear Fit2 was designed to be game for a wide range of sports and activities.

Automatic activity detection means that the Gear Fit2 can automatically sense a number of aerobic exercises as soon as the user engages in active movements for 10 minutes—the minimum amount of time for these exercises to be effective. The Gear Fit2 can sense up to five cardio exercises, ranging from running, walking, cycling as well as workouts on the rowing machine and the elliptical trainer.

As for anaerobic exercises such as crunches, lunges, and squats, users can manually set the Gear Fit2 to count the number of reps on behalf of the user.

Q. I’m trying out a regular exercise routine for the first time. Can the Gear Fit2 help me get started on the right foot?

The Gear Fit2 was designed for both fitness enthusiasts and casual exercisers alike. The Super AMOLED display allows you to check your performance, track reps and monitor your progress toward fitness targets while also providing feedback to help you better understand what that data means in terms of your overall health.

The curved, hi-resolution screen also serves as a highly effective visual aid, displaying, for certain exercises, handy animations illustrating proper technique to help you master their form and exercise more efficiently.

Q. How does the HR monitor help me exercise smarter?

As you exercise, or simply carry on with your day, the Gear Fit2’s heart-rate monitor automatically measures your heart rate at regular intervals, providing insight into your daily patterns of exertion.

During workouts, such monitoring allows you to keep track of how strenuously you’re exercising so you can adjust accordingly. The Gear Fit2 displays your current heart rate and helps guide you to reach your vigorous-intensity zone—your body’s optimal heart rate range for effective exercise— keeping you focused and motivated by ensuring maximum efficiency in your workout.

Q. What else does the Gear Fit2 monitor?

While your personal fitness is the Gear Fit2’s main focus, its function extends beyond the scope of gyms and morning runs.

The Gear Fit2 also boasts sleep tracking capability, automatically analyzing your sleep status whenever you doze for an hour or more and displaying relevant data on screen.

Additionally, the Gear Fit2 is capable of displaying your friends’ daily step status. Syncing the device with the S Health app allows users to engage in friendly step challenges with rivals. Graphs of both parties’ daily step progress can be displayed on screen, keeping you up to date on how far ahead—or behind—you may be, and adding healthy motivation to your daily exercise routine.

Q. How accurate is the GPS?

With built-in accelerometer and GPS sensors, the Gear Fit2 allows you to keep track of both how far you travel and at what speed, completely independent of a mobile phone.

GPS operates on satellite signals, and connections are sometimes obstructed by environmental variables such as an abundance of buildings in an area or particularly cloudy skies. The Gear Fit2, however, benefits from updated software that streamlines your GPS connection during outdoor exercise.

Q. Can the Gear Fit2 store my music as well?

Absolutely. The Gear Fit2 offers Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to seamlessly navigate your phone’s music library as you power through your workout. But it also features a standalone music player and 4GB of internal storage, if you’d rather leave your phone at home.

And with the Samsung Gear app you can even transfer songs between your smartphone and your Gear Fit2. Just go to the Gear Fit2’s Music Player app, change the setting to Gear Music mode, choose the playlists or songs that best suit your exercise, and you’re good to go.

Q. Which strap is best for me?

The Gear Fit2’s strap comes in two sizes: small and large. For those with rather thin wrists, measuring anywhere from 125 to 170 mm, the small strap will suit you just fine. For bigger wrists, measuring anywhere from 155 to 210 mm, go with the large strap.

Both are light and easy to wear, completing a sleek and unobtrusive aesthetic that’s suitable for both the gym and everyday use.

Q. When it comes to hardware, what is most notable about the Gear Fit2?

Chaekyu Choe: To improve performance as a sports band, we added a GPS, an application processor (AP) on the level of a smart watch and improved sensors.

With an embedded GPS, the Gear Fit2 allows users can go out and more accurately track their activities, like walking or running, without bringing along their smartphones.

By separating the LED and photodiode, both of which are needed to measure heart rate, we were able to use a bigger photodiode and enhance heart rate accuracy. Generally, many wearable devices have a combined module for the LED and the photodiode due to their small size. Also, the Gear Fit2’s barometer sensor, which is now about 10 times more precise, made it possible to measure elevation accurately enough to know how many stairs people climbed.

Putting all of the functions into such a slim design was difficult because the space was so limited, especially with the curved design. There are two buttons on the side of Gear Fit2, which restricts the space even more. In order to overcome these limitations, we considered how best to arrange components, how to minimize the space between chips, et cetera. We also had to reduce the number of components.

Q. How were you able to embed full GPS capabilities?

John Kim: The antenna has to receive the satellite signals, but getting it to perform well was a challenge. Antennas work better when they are further from the human body. However, as the Gear Fit2 is slim and has a detachable band, it was challenging to find an optimal spot.

So, a new method was devised: a hybrid antenna. In order to place the antenna as far as possible from the wrist, the antenna was embedded inside the display, and an assistant antenna was installed in another area, thus forming a dual antenna that enhanced performance.

Q. How did you improve battery efficiency?

Hyukbeom Kwon: During the development, we found that power consumption can be reduced by controlling how often the GPS is accessed according to signal intensity. In general, exercise that requires GPS data is normally done outdoors where GPS signals are usually strong. So, we decided to make it turn on and off the radio frequency blocking function.

Through this low-power GPS technology, we were able to reduce power consumption significantly, so it uses about one-fourth the power of a regular GPS device.

Q. How does the automatic workout recognition work? And were there any challenges in developing this feature?

Wonhee Lee: The accelerometer sensor is used to identify the user’s motion first, and then the gyroscope sensor detects the direction and type of movement. Based on the sensor data, the Gear Fit2 can detect five types of workout – walking, running, cycling, elliptical trainers and rowing machine – and automatically recognize when those activities have been done for at least 10 minutes.

As there wasn’t any systematized database telling us “this workout is such-and-such,” we had to understand the data and figure out how to use it to identify each type of activity ourselves. To identify the exact type of workout, we had to get data from as many people as possible – because even for the same workout, the speed and intensity differ greatly depending on one’s age, height, gender, and so on.

Even after we found patterns for each activity, it was difficult to set a standard. For instance, when cycling, the Gear Fit2 detected not only changes in speed and direction, but also minute vibrations similar to what’s experienced when riding a small automobile. So we needed to find out how to distinguish between a car and a bicycle. Regarding workout equipment, there are so many types on the market depending on the manufacturer. Whenever we found an elliptical machine in a park or fitness center, we tried to use it.

Q. What are some of the benefits of using the Tizen OS for developers and consumers?

Keunsang Han: Based on our experience developing the Gear S2, we learned a lot, such as data processing methods, communication technology between a wearble and a smartphone, and the sensor API.

From the user’s perspective, many partners are participating to develop watchfaces, and users can download and use it – that’s because Tizen OS-related SDKs are provided and there is an app store. You can also find various fitness-related apps and watchfaces on Galaxy Apps.

Q. Was there anything unusual or different about the product development process?

Hyukbeom Kwon: Since the Gear Fit2 is a sports band, we had to test the performance firsthand, combining continuous field data with results from the lab. Even a minor modification to the hardware or software required more live testing. We would go outside, regardless of the weather, to conduct those tests. We walked and walked in the park, and exercised a lot.

Yonghak Lee: We had to consider how to customize the daily activity record for each region. For instance, we developed the screen in consideration of how Arabic script reads from right to left, and the 24-hour activity tracker needed to be modified according to time differences when going overseas.

(From left to right) Senior Engineer Chaekyu Choe, Senior Engineer Keunsang Han, Principal Engineer John Kim, Senior Engineer Hyukbeom Kwon, Assistant Engineer Yonghak Lee and Senior Engineer Wonhee Lee

6:00am – Rise and shine! It may be Monday, but after a good night’s rest, I’m feeling ready to take on the week. Before I’m out of bed, I switch off the alarm on my Gear Fit2. The device is lightweight, making it comfortable to wear throughout the entire day, even when I’m sleeping. It recognizes that I’m now up and moving around, and lets me check my sleep analysis about fifteen minutes after waking up.

6:30am – There’s no better way to start the morning than with a quick bike ride along the river. And, with the Gear Fit2, I can actually enjoy the scenery, as I’ve manually activated it to keep track of my stats. All I have to do is set the target duration of my ride; the sports band then detects my movements and lets me know when I reach my goal. Its built-in GPS also tracks my route so I don’t have to.  

8:10am – After a quick shower and breakfast, I log my coffee consumption. I’m really trying to cut back on caffeine, and the sports band is a good way to keep track of how much I’m drinking coffee. Before I’m out the door, I stylize my sports band with a watch face to better match my outfit. I end up settling on Activity Sparkles—a pretty face that twinkles when I’m physically active.

8:35am – I use the half hour commute to work to read the news and update S Health on my smartphone. I use the Together feature to check the Steps challenge and Steps leaderboard updates. I see that I’ve won my latest one-on-one competition with my sister Ellie. It looks like she owes me dinner.

10:50am – It’s amazing how fast mornings in the office fly by. Sometimes, I don’t even realize how long I’ve been typing away at my computer. Fortunately, my Gear Fit2 vibrates to alert me when I’ve been sitting for too long, like now. I take a bathroom break and refill my water bottle to get moving.

12:15pm – I grab a salad for lunch and go for a walk around the neighborhood with my co-worker, Morgan. Ten minutes in, the Gear Fit2 notifies me that I’m walking at a healthy pace and automatically starts recording my walking session. Even when the sun is at its highest and brightest, the sports band’s display is clear and visible. When we conclude our walk, it automatically indicates the total walking time, distance, calories burned and average speed.

4:10pm – I’m in an important meeting when my Gear Fit2 vibrates, and a message from Sam pops up; he’s going to be late for our dinner appointment tonight. I send him a quick reply discreetly with a simple tap on the device to confirm.

6:40pm – The work day is officially over, so I head to the gym to blow off some steam. I put on my earbuds and pair them with my Gear Fit2, which I’ve already loaded with my workout playlists. Unlike other devices, I don’t even need to carry my phone, since the sports band is equipped with its own standalone music player. The high-energy songs keep me motivated during my Pilates session.

7:45pm – After my workout, I check my heart rate and tag it as an “After exercise” measurement. Monitoring my heart rate is a good way to optimize my aerobic fitness.

9:30pm – After dinner (and dessert) with Sam, I see that Ellie has shared the results of our Steps Challenge on Facebook via S Health. She has come out on top… this time. I send her a congratulatory text, promising her a tasty dinner. I appreciate having friends and family who constantly encourage me to be the healthiest I can be, and the Gear Fit2 only complements that support.

10:50pm – Before turning in for the night, I check the 24-hour Log to see how many calories I’ve burned for the day, and compare today’s activity with that of the past few days. It looks like I’m improving. I also see in my notifications that I’ve earned the floor reward for the third time this week, having climbed 10 flights of stairs.

I set the Gear Fit2 on its easy-to-use charging cradle so it can charge while I sleep. With an extensive battery life, it can last a good three to four days before recharged. I personally don’t have that kind of energy, but with a little help from my Gear Fit2, I’m slowly and surely becoming happier and healthier. Perhaps I’ll challenge someone else to a new steps challenge tomorrow, but for now, it’s bedtime.

Manager Dongmyung Lee and Assistant Manager Jieun Suh of the Mobile Enhancement Team, Senior Designers Jonghwan Shin and Kyunghoon Han of the UX Innovation Team, and Manager Bumsung Cho and Principal Engineer Seongho Cho of the Service Development Team discuss how they made the Gear Fit2 optimized for fitness.

(From left) Dongmyung Lee, Jonghwan Shin, Jieun Suh, Kyunghoon Han, Seongho Cho and Bumsung Cho

Q. What inspired the development of the Gear Fit2?

Jieun Suh: Just about anywhere you go—whether it’s New York’s Central Park or the banks of the Seine River in Paris—you can find people exercising with their smartphones, arm bands and earphones in tow. Recognizing that exercisers tote around these items to listen to music or use GPS tracking, we decided to develop a wearable device that fulfills these needs, and makes exercise more convenient.

We also noticed these people tend to closely monitor their general health and fitness activities. So, we put a great deal of thought into its concept so they can wear it all day to accurately track their fitness patterns and progress.

Kyunghoon Han: Because it’s a fitness product, there were some limitations in realizing the concept and testing it in the lab. Ultimately, the best way to really get a feel for it was to take it outside.

Honestly, I wasn’t interested in working out before the project, but started cycling regularly during the development of the device. After the product function was stabilized, I cycled halfway across Korea, which was an opportunity to check if the intended concept worked, and to see what needed to be improved.

Q. What makes the Gear Fit2 different from other devices on the market?

Dongmyung Lee: We’ve improved upon every aspect of the previous model. In particular, the calculation of speed and calories burned is more accurate due to the better measurement of distance by the GPS. The course can also be indicated on a map.

There aren’t many fitness bands equipped with a GPS, and the few that do have the feature are generally heavy and unsophisticated. Also, the functions of the Gear Fit2 are more extensive than other products, as one can receive all the notifications you would normally receive on your smartphone. You can even reply to texts with simple preset messages and emojis.

Q. What was your major focus when designing the UX?

Jonghwan Shin: Our top priority in designing the UX was to keep the user experience simple. To do this, we followed a few basic principles. First, we focused on fitness, and reduced unnecessary functions. We planned to have the user wear the device every day. Next, we made frequently used functions such as “Start exercise” or “Record” automatic when the user engages in a prolonged session of exercise.

We also aimed to make the device a lifestyle product. So, we studied consumer lifestyle patterns during the early production development stage to ensure that the device reflected individual preferences.

Kyunghoon Han: To maximize the identity of the Gear Fit2 as a fitness product, numbers and infographics were a big focus. The number font is thick and clear compared to previous products, and was developed especially for this device. Geometrical graphics not commonly used before were incorporated so that the user can intuitively check their daily activity by simply swiping the fitness widget screen.

Regarding user behavior, we focused on striking a balance to satisfy both beginners and advanced users simultaneously. While some beginners might have just begun to develop an interest in fitness, there are also more professional users who need a device that will record more advanced activities.

One way we did this was by allowing them to initiate the “Stop workout” function with a hard key. It prevents the “ghost touch issue,” in which workout data is not recorded as a result of accidental screen touch.

Q. What features did you incorporate to motivate users?

Kyunghoon Han: We designed the UX so that it doesn’t propose unattainable goals in the initial stages of use. Instead, it improves a user’s fitness capabilities gradually over time.

For example, if the user doesn’t move for an extended period of time, a notification reminds the user to get up. Or, should the user walk at a certain pace for more than ten minutes, the screen displays the “Healthy steps” notification and records the workout time.

The “Number of floors climbed” function is also the result of contemplating how to increase the intensity of daily activity rather than just the frequency of it.

Q. The Gear Fit2 can automatically detect certain activities. How did you select these particular exercises?

Dongmyung Lee: Based on our research, we understood that the three most common exercises are running, walking and cycling. So we decided to make recording these specific exercises more convenient by creating an automatic recognition feature. If the user engages in one of these activities for more than 10 minutes—the minimum amount of time for aerobic exercises to be effective—the device records the activity. Elliptical trainer and rowing machine sessions can also be automatically recorded.

Q. Why did you incorporate a standalone music player in the device?

Jieun Suh: Research suggests that more than 75 percent of joggers listen to music while they run. Even when out for a casual walk at the park, most people prefer to listen to music. So, a music player is an essential function for a fitness device.

The Gear Fit2 has its own storage space—a feature that differentiates it from other products, which generally play music via a synced smartphone. Music can also be sent from the phone to the Gear Fit2 through Wi-Fi Direct.

We also considered the fact that it’s not necessarily the music player that influences one’s workout, but rather the function of music itself. Knowing that upbeat music can help create a steady exercise rhythm, we made it possible for more rousing songs (those with tempos ranging from 120-140 beats per minute) to be automatically detected and saved to a separate “Workout” playlist when a user sends music to the Gear Fit2.

Q. Tell us about the new features of the updated version of S Health, which was released at the launch of the Gear Fit2.

Seongho Cho: It’s common knowledge that exercise is more effective when its intensity varies. So, we loaded an exercise pace function on the Gear Fit2 to enable users to exercise more effectively.

Users can select “Pace” when setting target goals and receive feedback to keep the right pace during their fitness routine. Although this function is available on the mobile version of the app, it’s more effective when used in real time with a sports band.

Also, we added new exercise categories to S Health. The Gear Fit2 can measure a total of 14 standard exercises, such as cycling or Pilates, in addition to various other types of exercises.

Bumsung Cho: Numerous studies have revealed that social elements and competition can spark motivation in sports. Thus, we included functions that let users share their stats on social media, or participate in Together.

Counting steps is the most frequently used function on S Health, and Together lets users compare their step counts to those of their friends. The Steps Challenge is another feature that encourages friendly competition and better health for all involved.

Also, considering the biggest role of S Health is to accurately collect and display data from sensors, we added the “Floor” function to better provide barometer-measured data.

Q. What are some advantages of using S Health specifically with the Gear Fit2?

Bumsung Cho: In short, the Gear Fit2 provides seamless tracking in a way that smartphones can’t. There are times when we are without our phones, but with the Gear Fit2, not a single step goes uncounted.

Sleep monitoring is also possible with the device, making it useful for users who don’t exercise much. It’s particularly useful when one isn’t sleeping well, as it provides a lot of information about one’s quality of sleep, and differences in sleep patterns on weekdays and weekends.

Samsung Electronics today announced that its new Gear Fit2 GPS sports band is now commercially available in select markets including the US, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Australia, and will gradually be launched around the globe.

Featuring an ergonomic and sleek design, the Gear Fit2 offers accurate and robust fitness tracking and measurement with an embedded GPS and heart rate monitor (HRM). Whether you’re walking, running, cycling, or even using an elliptical trainer or rowing machine, the Gear Fit2 automatically detects the type of activity you’re engaging in and tracks your progress. It also monitors 15 different activities including Exercise bike, Step machine, Pilates, Lunges, Crunches and Squats.

Users can easily monitor their workout status and check notifications with a 1.5-inch Super AMOLED curved display. In addition, its standalone music player, seamless integration with S Health and new “Steps Challenges” for one-on-one competition with friends provide enhanced motivation and enable users to work out more actively, even without a smartphone.

The Gear Fit2 is compatible with smartphones running on Android OS 4.4 and above with over 1.5GB RAM. It’s available in three colors (Black, Blue and Pink) and two sizes—Small (for wrist sizes 125-170 millimeters) and Large (for wrist sizes 155-210 millimeters).

The Gear Fit2 automatically and accurately tracks your everyday activities, from walking to squatting to yoga, to encourage a healthier lifestyle. It also comes equipped with a slew of features optimized for fitness enthusiasts and casual exercisers alike, such as a standalone music player and increased memory storage, as well as a comfortable and stylish design.

Functions That Blend Fitness and Fun

The Gear Fit2’s features make all-day fitness tracking more accurate and workouts more enjoyable. Utilizing a combination of sensors including a standalone GPS and heart rate monitor, the device lets you accurately gauge your fitness activities, including distance, pace, route and calories burned, as well as your heart rate.

Whether you’re walking, running, cycling, or even using an elliptical trainer or rowing machine, the Gear Fit2 can automatically detect the type of activity you’re engaging in and accurately track your progress toward your target goals. You can track and monitor 15 different activities including Exercise bike, Step machine, Treadmill, Pilates, Yoga, Lunges, Crunches and Squats, among others.

Depending on the activity, the Gear Fit2 displays animations to illustrate proper exercise techniques for more accurate tracking, and can also provide feedback at set intervals during your workout.

You can also check your fitness performance and trends with your Gear Fit2 or your smartphone through S Health, which easily syncs with the GPS sports band. Or, for an added boost of motivation, you can share your activity data on Facebook, as well as compete in a Steps Challenges with a friend.

Meanwhile, the easy-to-use interface lets you maneuver through information screens with just a few simple swipes.

Stay Fit with Better Style

The Gear Fit2 offers a simple, lightweight design that complements everyday wear.

With its ergonomic curve, the GPS sports band allows for a comfortable fit throughout the day. Likewise, the strap’s secure fastener and size—available in small and large—ensures that the device stays on even during the most vigorous workouts.

Featuring a stylishly slim and classically chic design, the Gear Fit2 is available in three fashion-forward colors (black, blue and pink) and boasts a variety of watch faces so you can choose the best look to complement your own personal style.

The Gear Fit2’s 1.5-inch Super AMOLED curved display, high resolution and color touchscreen let you easily monitor your progress, check the time or show off your impressive fitness stats, even in bright sunlight. And should it start raining, the GPS sports band’s IP68 rating—the premium standard of protection against water and dust—ensures that your workout won’t be interrupted.

Move to the Beat and Stay Connected

To enhance your workout even more, the Gear Fit2 offers Bluetooth connectivity for a seamless experience, providing a motivational soundtrack to keep you moving.

Or, if you don’t feel like carrying around multiple devices or getting tangled up in cords, the GPS sports band also features a standalone music player with internal storage. For ultimate convenience, the device can transfer music between the Gear Fit2 and your smartphone with the Samsung Gear application.

Understanding that most wearable device users are constantly on the go, Samsung designed the Gear Fit2 to be a device that can keep up with your fast-paced lifestyle. Check notifications at a glance from a single screen, and stay connected with family and friends by easily replying to text messages, emails and messaging apps—straight from your wrist.

* All functionality features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

* Gear Fit2 pairs with smartphones running on Android OS 4.4 and higher with over 1.5GB RAM.

* All functionality features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

The Gear Fit2 features an embedded GPS and a heart rate monitor (HRM) that offer accurate and robust fitness tracking and measurement, while providing instant feedback on the user’s workout. The Gear IconX are truly cord-free earbuds that can track fitness information and provide users with feedback on their running performance. Both the Gear Fit2 and Gear IconX are optimized to benefit users’ various fitness levels, whether they are training for a marathon or taking a daily stroll through the neighborhood.

“Living a healthy lifestyle is a top priority for consumers to enjoy fulfilling lives. Our wearable technology can enhance existing routines and blend fitness and fun. The Gear Fit2 and Gear IconX are specialized to easily address these needs, ultimately allowing users to get more out of their fitness experiences and everyday activities,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics.

Gear Fit2: Advanced Features for Fitness

• Features an ergonomic, sleek and slim design for comfortable everyday use
• Provides a Super AMOLED curved display with a high-resolution color touchscreen for easy fitness monitor, or checking and responding to text message notifications
• Embedded GPS and HRM sensor for accurate data tracking of activities that fit any lifestyle
• With Auto Activity Tracking feature, users won’t have to manually activate the sports band – whether running, walking, cycling, or utilizing rowing machine or elliptical trainer
• Enables easy transfer of fitness data between S Health and other select fitness applications, and provides ‘Step Challenges,’ for 1:1 competition with your friends

• The standalone music player enables users to actively workout with motivation without the need of a mobile device

Gear IconX: A Simple and Wireless Experience

• Provides a lightweight, secure and comfortable fit with three different sizes of eartips and wingtips, and can be activated by simply placing the earbuds in the user’s ears
• Enables tracking of fitness data such as distance, speed, duration, heart rate and calories burned, and easily syncs with S Health
• Includes a Voice Guide feature that provides instant voice feedback on the user’s workout progress and provides a standalone music listening experience
• With Bluetooth capability and an internal storage that can play up to 1,000 MP3s, users can simply tap or swipe the earbuds to easily control the music

The Gear Fit2 will be available beginning June 10, 2016 and the Gear IconX will be available beginning in Q3 2016. For more product information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com or news.samsung.com/galaxy.

Samsung Gear Fit2 Specifications:

Samsung Gear IconX Specifications:

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.