Samsung Galaxy Gear owners can now switch the OS from Android to Tizen

Starting today, owners of the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch can update their timepiece from Android to Tizen.  Back in February at MWC, Samsung introduced the sequel to its first smartwatch, but instead of having Android power the Samsung Gear 2 and the Samsung Gear 2 Neo, the manufacturer turned to its own Tizen OS. Earlier this month, a video displayed how the Gear would look running the Tizen OS. Keep in mind that if you do update your watch, you will lose everything that is currently on it.

The update is not yet being sent out OTA, which means that you are going to have to sync your Galaxy Gear with your PC and grab the update from Samsung Kies. The update to Tizen will improve the battery life on the watch, enhance the performance of the device, and enhance voice commands for the Galaxy Gear. Installing Tizen on your Galaxy Gear also turns the watch into a stand-alone music player, that will store music on the watch itself.

Most of the software related features found on the Samsung Gear 2 and Samsung Gear 2 Neo will be available on the updated Gear. The only features on the new watches that won't be moving over to your updated Gear are those that are hardware based, such as the heart rate monitor.

source: SamMobile via AndroidandMe