As with any major new release from Samsung, the Galaxy S5 includes a bunch of exclusive features and apps, but, as ever, dedicated Droidsters have been quick to pluck said features and distribute them among the rest of the Android community. Even though the sought-after handset is not yet upon us, the guys over at XDA-Developers have shared the APK files of apps like S Note, WatchON, and Gear Manager, and although there’s no guarantee that they’ll run perfectly on whichever device you happen to own, they’re now readily available for your downloading pleasure.
As well as WatchON and S Note, the self-explanatory note-taking app created by Samsung, there’s also an APK for both Gear Manager and Gear Fit Manager – essential to those planning on purchasing either of the company’s new smartwatches. The Galaxy Gear, released last year alongside the Galaxy Note 3, is widely regarded as a complete flop, but with the Korean company having since gone back to the drawing board and come up with its sequel – as well as an entrant for the fast-growing market of fitness-centric smartwatches in the Gear Fit – it will be hoping to revive the Gear product line’s somewhat tarnished reputation.
Elsewhere, eager folks can also grab the APK files for the Galaxy S5’s Calculator, S Health, and S Translator, and as with the aforementioned apps, Samsung has notably tidied up the user interfaces, offering a fresher, cleaner overall aesthetic.
You shouldn’t have much of a hitch getting these apps up and running on your Galaxy Note 3 or Galaxy S4, although it’s definitely best if you update your software to the very latest Android KitKat (4.4.2) beforehand, since that’s what the Galaxy S5 will run on when it eventually makes its way to market.
Apparently, S Health is not working properly, but everything else should run fine on your Galaxy S4 or Note 3. Since they’re APK files, you can, of course, try installing them on other devices as well, although again, updating to Android KitKat wherever possible will certainly enhance your chances of success.
So, there you have it. If you want to go ahead and try out some of these improved apps, be sure to check out the original thread over at XDA-Developers, and do share with us your thoughts and comments below.
(Source: XDA-Developers)
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