Skip to main content

Fleksy adds Messenger app to Samsung Gear 2 smartwatch

Popular Android keyboard app Fleksy is now headed to the much smaller screen of the Samsung Gear 2 smartwatch. Fleksy is the first third-party keyboard app to appear on it. The company claims that its quick typing software, ability to predict word choice, and simple interface make Fleksy the ideal keyboard for the small, 1.63-inch smartwatch display.

Fleksy’s goal is to make it as easy as possible to type on the Gear 2. Right now, many people are skeptical about the practicality of smartwatches, especially when it comes to composing messages. After all, if typing on the iPhone 5S’ 4-inch display is sometimes difficult, it must be near impossible to tap away on a display that’s nearly four times smaller. Where many would see an insurmountable challenge, Fleksy’s co-founder and COO, Ioannis Verdelis, saw opportunity.

Recommended Videos

 This bite-sized version of Fleksy features the same minimalistic design as the normal-sized version seen on Android smartphones.

“When the first iPhone came out, people were skeptical about whether they could type on glass,” Verdelis told Digital Trends. “Today, the same applies to smartwatches, and we’re very proud to show Fleksy’s next-generation technology challenging these assumptions and creating new use cases for wearable technology. Especially happy to be working with Samsung to showcase this on the Gear 2.”

The keyboard appears in a new messenger app made specifically for Gear 2, which allows users to type and send SMS messages right from the smartwatch on their wrists. The Fleksy app syncs all the conversations sent with either your Galaxy smartphone or Gear 2 smartwatch, so your conversations are never lost. Old message threads and contacts also transfer from your smartphone to the app on Gear.

Fleksy Messenger Galaxy Gear 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This bite-sized version of Fleksy features the same minimalistic design as the normal-sized version seen on Android phones. The layout is very simple with just the letters and nothing else to clutter up the small screen. The keyboard is flat and black, with no barriers between the keys, adding to the impression of open space.  All the letters are positioned in typical QWERTY style and written in white font. The only two characters on the keyboard that aren’t letters are the hashtag and @ symbol, which serve as gateways to numbers and special characters. When you type your message, it appears in a white field on the top left of the display. To the right, are the send and back buttons.

Because it’s a Tizen app, the Fleksy Messenger app is available for a free download now from Samsung’s app store. It’s unclear whether Fleksy aims to add its keyboard app to Android-based smartwatches, such as the upcoming Moto 360 and LG G Watch, but it seems likely. After all, the company’s press release did say that “this is one of the first steps in the direction of enabling Fleksy on all smart devices—regardless of their size, shape, and form factor.” Kosta Eleftheriou, the founder and CEO of Fleksy, also said in the release that he hopes to see the keyboard on all devices in the future.

Topics
Malarie Gokey
Former Digital Trends Contributor
As DT's Mobile Editor, Malarie runs the Mobile and Wearables sections, which cover smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and…
6 announcements we expect from Samsung’s Galaxy S25 event on Wednesday
A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

It's going to be an exciting week for Samsung fans. The smartphone maker is once again kicking the year off with a January Unpacked event to set the tone for what’s to come for the best smartphones in 2025.

This year’s event is being held on Wednesday, January 22, in San Jose, California, and it will almost certainly be headlined by its new Galaxy S25 phone lineup, but that’s far from all we’re expecting. Recent rumors have suggested a newer and slimmer entry in the flagship Galaxy S family, plus a smattering of new features and some interesting new wearables.

Read more
MagSafe-like charging will come to Google and Samsung phones this year
A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Google and Samsung phones will be receiving Qi2 wireless charging, the answer to Apple's MagSafe wireless charging, this year.

The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) said in a press release ahead of CES 2025 on Monday that the "acceleration" of native Qi2 wireless charging support will be rolling out to more Android phones throughout the year, including the Samsung Galaxy and Google's Pixel line of phones. Both flagship companies confirmed their intentions to program Qi2 into their respective devices.

Read more
What I want to see from the Samsung Galaxy Ring 2
A person holding the Samsung Galaxy Ring.

One of my favorite devices launched in 2024 was the Samsung Galaxy Ring. It was first teased last January at the Galaxy S24 launch, and then Samsung gave us a sneak peek in February before launching it alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in July.

My excitement for it had been building in the first half of the year, and the final product didn’t disappoint. Samsung delivered an excellent smart ring that didn’t cause discomfort or swollen fingers. However, RingConn and then Oura launched their successors, and the Galaxy Ring lost some of its appeal.

Read more