Samsung Gear S Smartwatch Gets A Full Web Browser Courtesy of Opera

Who says you'll have to settle for second-best when trying to compute on a smartwatch? Samsung's Gear S watch now has its first full browser en route courtesy of Opera. The company has announced that it'll bring Opera Mini, a data-saving browser, to the Tizen-based Gear S. The browser isn't just a straight port, either. It'll include a handful of touch-friendly features that'll make smartwatch interactions more seamless -- for example, the website shortcuts on Opera Mini’s Speed Dial appear as large buttons, enabling Gear S users to reach their favorite sites in a single tap.


To zoom, double-tap with a finger, or, to get a more precise view, just pinch to zoom. A gentle swipe with your finger will take you forward and back. The Smart Page feature displays links based on the sites you visit most frequently; a number of suggested links are also displayed by category. You can even add your social-media networks to the Smart Page, for more convenient access to your newsfeeds.


The data-crunching features will surely come in handy here, where both processing power and screen real estate are limited compared to your average phone, tablet, or laptop. The Samsung Gear S runs Opera Mini version 7.5, with all its features and functionality. Samsung Gear S owners will be able to download Opera Mini from Samsung Gear Apps for free.