Author: Fjordstrøm

About Fjordstrøm

http://www.fjordstrom.com

Travel & Tech Video Creator

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Samsung Gear Fit 2 with iPhone compatibility

Samsung Gear Fit 2 with iPhone: compatibility guide! (May 2018 UPDATE)

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The Samsung Gear Fit 2 has received several updates since its launch.
The last update was on May 2nd, 2018. You can find a video about this latest at the bottom of this post.

I’ve made several videos about the compatibility of the Samsung Gear Fit 2 with the iPhone, two of them being the most important ones. Check them out below and/or continue reading under them.

BIG FEATURE UPDATE December 8, 2017: 

 

Original review with more details about its compatibility with iPhone (April 2017):

In this article:

  1. Why I switched from Android Wear to the Samsung Gear Fit 2
  2. What works on the Gear Fit 2 when paired with an iPhone
  3. How do the iPhone apps look like?
  4. What doesn’t work when paired with an iPhone
  5. How to transfer music to the Gear Fit 2 if you’re an iOS user
  6. How to control music playing on your iPhone, on your Gear Fit 2
  7. Update in July 2017
  8. UPDATE: new update in December 2017
  9. How to sync your Gear Fit 2 with Strava, Runkeeper and Endomondo as an iPhone user
  10. UPDATE: new update in May 2018

1. Why I switched from Android Wear to the Gear Fit 2

Since I had an iPhone, I was hoping that my Sony Smartwatch 3 would get Android Wear 2.0, so I could install apps on it. Unfortunately, Sony decided not to give the smartwatch an update, so I was stuck with a smartwatch that just gave me notifications. I wanted something more. Something that could track my activities. I didn’t want to pay more than 400 euros for an Apple Watch, so I decided to have a look at the FitBits. But then… I came across the Samsung Gear Fit 2. I fell in love with its screen, the amount of information that can be displayed on it and the fitness capabilities it had. The only thing that worried me, was how compatible this Samsung product is with the iPhone? Well, here’s my review, last updated in December 2017.

2. What works when set up with an iPhone?

First off, Samsung is warning that it’s only compatible with iPhone 5 or higher. This also means that it’s not compatible with the iPad, even though you might be able to run it.

The good news is, that most features work when you have an iPhone. I can even say that it does more than Android Wear 1.5, as it syncs fitness data to Samsung Health, something you can’t do with Google Fit on AW 1.5.

List of features, all displayed on the Gear Fit 2 itself:

  • Timeline tracking: get an overview of all your activities of the past 24 hours, including important info (all on the watch itself!):
    • time
    • type of activity
    • heart rate
    • burned calories
    • automatic sleep tracking
  • Step count
    • set a goal
    • view average step count of each day and of the past 4 weeks!
  • Calorie count (in timeline)
  • Floors count (dramatically improved in the March update)
    • set a goal
    • view average step count of each day and of the past 4 weeks!
  • Heart rate monitoring:
    • measures your heart rate: either frequently (every 10 minutes), or constantly (new since the big December 2017 update)
    • manually measure your heart rate
    • view your lowest and highest heart rate in the past 24 hours
    • get an overview of your lowest and highest heart rate of the past 4 weeks!
  • Activity logging:
    • automatically detect workouts
    • manually start a workout
    • set a goal
    • GPS tracking
    • constant heart rate monitoring during an activity
    • autopause
    • notification intervals
  • Caffeine intake count
  • Water intake count
  • Change and customise watch faces

All of this can be read on the watch itself. This means you don’t need a phone to register or to read your activities. This vast amount of information made me buy this Gear.

3. How do the iPhone apps look like?

What works in the Gear Fit 2 app on iPhone?

The Samsung Gear Fit 2 app received a two big updates in the second half of 2017. Here are the current features (last updated in December 2017):

  • Sync with the Gear Fit 2
  • Information about your Gear Fit 2: battery, storage and RAM
  • Suggested watch faces
  • Link to the Samsung Health app
  • Notifications:
    • Receive notifications from your phone on your Gear Fit 2
    • Block apps from which you don’t want to receive notifications
    • Turn on or leave screen off when receiving notifications
    • Display details of notifications (like reading texts)
    • Display an orange indicator, indicating that you have notifications
  • Rearrange apps
  • Automatically update apps
  • Weather location
  • Find My Gear: lets your watch vibrate so you can find it
  • Link to the new Samsung Health app (since December 2017)
  • Samsung Galaxy App Store: Download free apps and watch faces onto the watch
  • About Gear: back up and restore
  • Legal information

What works in the Samsung Health app on iPhone?

  • “Me” section with movable tiles containing information about:
    • Active minutes — when tapped, you get detailed statistics from the past days/weeks/months
    • Steps
    • Cycling
    • Walking
    • Heart Rate
    • Sleep
    • Floors
    • Workouts
    • Food (manual registration)
    • Water intake (manual registration, also on the Gear)
    • Caffeine (manual registration, also on the Gear)
    • Weight (manual registration)
    • And you can still add many more from a very long list of all kinds of sports
  • “Together” section with;
    • Your leaderboard, comparing you with the averages of your age group
    • Your friends
    • Your challenges

4. What’s not possible (yet) when connected to iPhone?

I’ve also reset and set up the watch with an Android phone to see the differences. Here they are:

I’ve found only two limitations on the watch itself:

  • With the default tracker, you can’t view the map on the watch after a workout: you can see the route, but not the map itself. However, with the Endomondo app (which also synchronises), you do get to see a map.
  • You can’t reply to notifications, besides answering/declining/redialling phone calls. My guess is that it’s Apple that doesn’t allow this.

Since December 2017, there’s a Samsung Health app for iPhone, which makes the Gear Fit 2 even more useful.

5. How to transfer music to your Samsung Gear Fit 2

Products from Amazon.co.uk

6. How to control music on your Gear Fit 2

There are two ways of controlling your streaming music:

  1. Use your favourite iPhone app, like Spotify or Apple Music, and control the music with your Gear Fit 2
  2. Download Spotify on the Gear Fit 2 and listen to the downloaded music using a bluetooth headphone set

7. Software update in July 2017

8. BIG UPDATE in December 2017

9. How to sync with Strava, Runkeeper and Endomondo as an iPhone user

Products from Amazon.co.uk

10. May 2018: UPDATE with new features

I’ll continue making videos about every Gear Fit 2 update, so stay tuned! Please subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay up-to-date.

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My review of Comfort Xpress Oslo Central Station (All room types!) — Trip to Oslo VLOG #4

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In this video, I’ll show you the 2nd place I’m staying in, and that is Comfort Xpress Oslo Central Station! I’ve often stayed here since its opening in 2011 because of its good price quality ratio.

Check out my video (with subtitles) above or read the transcription:

Comfort Xpress Oslo Central Station is nicely located just across the train station in Fred Olsens Gate 11 and is not to be confused with Comfort Hotel Grand Central located INside the train station.

Lobby

You can check in at the reception or just use one of the iPads in front of the elevator. The reception is also a bar, so you can enjoy some drinks while chatting with your co-travellers or while you’re getting some work done on your computer.

I’d like to point out that there are four room sizes… and I’ve stayed in three of them.

Standard Twin Room

Let’s start with the decent sized twin room of 17 square meters. When you enter, there’s a coat rack on the left and the TV. There’s a desk on the right and of course the comfortable twin beds. There’s also place for your luggage next to the window. Not every twin room looks exactly like this, but they do have the same features. The bathroom has floor heating and is clean. There’s a soap dispenser in the shower. Of course, WiFi is free.

Twin Room for adjusted accessibility for the disabled

The second room, which is where I stayed in this year, is the twin room with adjusted accessibility for disabled. I didn’t ask for this room specifically, but it turned out to be positive. The room is huge, has an extra sofa, a table and a seat. There’s also extra place to hang your clothes. The bathroom is one big space which is fun, but also necessary for disabled who really need that space.

Standard Double Room

Then there’s the double room, of which I don’t have that much footage, but as you can see here, it’s a cosy room with the bed located against the window. In general, the room is also smaller at around 11 square meters.

Superior Double Room

I haven’t been able to stay at the fourth type of room, which is the superior double room. This costs usually 200 kroner more, but you do get a larger room (between 16 and 20 square meters), a private roof terrace and a seating area.

Breakfast?

The minimalistic breakfast bag is optional, so it’s up to you if you would like to buy one and eat it downstairs or in your room, or if you’d like to go out early and eat something at the station.

So this was my review of Comfort Xpress Oslo Central Station. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments. Also check out my other Oslo videos and Oslo hotel reviews on my channel.

Thanks for watching, please like and subscribe and see you in the next one.

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Where to go, eat and sleep in Oslo & Bærum in 48 hours [GUIDE]

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Hello everyone, I’m back in Norway for a relaxing weekend. I’ll show you what I visited, where I ate and slept during my 48 hours in Oslo and Bærum. Watch my video below or read the transcription under it:

Karl Johan

It all starts at Karl Johans Gate, Oslo’s Main Street. There are shops, souvenir shops, restaurants, and a bit further you there’s Stortinget which is the Norwegian parliament. Further down Karl Johan there’s the Royal Palace, but I’ll get to that later in this video.

Getting from A to B

Everything in Oslo is easy to reach by foot, bike, bus, tram and metro. A day ticket for unlimited use of public transport costs 90 NOK which is just about 10 euros or dollars. Important to know is that this ticket is valid for 24 hours, so if you activate your ticket at 3 PM, it’s valid until the next day at 3 PM, which is awesome. Not every city does this. If you’re also planning to do lots of museums, then the Oslo Pass, at 395 NOK, including all transport, museums and other discounts, is worth it.

Opera

Oslo’s Opera building, known for its beautiful architecture, is located next to the train station, which is part of a new modern area where you can find Bjørvika, Sørenga and soon a brand new Edvard Munch museum and a new National Library. Make sure to watch my other Oslo videos to see more.

Akershus festning & Aker Brygge

From the Opera you can walk along the water up to Akershus Festning, which is a fortress with a view of Rådhuset (Oslo’s city hall), Aker Brygge and Oslofjord.

Aker Brygge is my favourite area in Oslo. It’s a classy, relaxing, car free area near the water where you can shop, have lunch or dinner. A bit further there’s Tjuvholmen where you can find the Astrup Fearnley museum. If you’ve already seen my previous videos, you already know that I like T.G.I. Friday’s because we don’t have this restaurant chain back in Belgium and I just love the food. If this isn’t something for you, try the sea food, pizza, sushi or grill restaurants in the area.

Bærums Verk

On day 2 I went to Bærum, a community just outside Oslo. By bus, it costs 106 NOK back and forth, which is more than a city ticket. After looking at the nice views and seeing the daily Norwegian life in non-touristy areas, I arrived at Bærums Verk which is a beautiful shopping village that’s actually already 400 years old. There are several gift shops, tea rooms, but also two supermarkets and a museum. While walking around, you’ll also notice these interesting sculptures.

Shopping & sushi

Afterwards, I went from a cosy shopping village to busy shopping centers in Oslo city. This one is called.. Oslo City. There’s also one next to the train station called Byporten where I like buying sushi and spring rolls at Bambus Sushi. They are de-licious.

More…

Now there are still 3 important places to go to, but because this was a relaxing weekend, and I have been to Oslo lots of times, I spent the rest of my 48 hours shopping and eating. But here are places you could still visit within the 48 hour mark: the Royal Palace in the heart of Oslo, surrounded by Slottsparken — Vigelandsparken, a free open air sculpture park — and Holmenkollen with nice views and an interesting winter sports museum. Please watch my other videos to see more. You can choose: winter, autumn or summer videos.

Where to sleep

Now where did I sleep? Well, I like staying at different hotels during my holiday. The first hotel I stayed in, was Park Inn, which is located in a side street of Karl Johans Gate, Oslo’s Main Street, so it’s very central. Click here to watch my full review. My second hotel was Comfort Xpress Central Station, located just in front of the train station, so I could catch my early morning flight the next day. This hotel is modern, clean and budget friendly, so check out that review too [coming soon]

Going home

And now… I’m back at Oslo Gardermoen Airport, which has been expanded and renovated this year and is really beautiful. I’ll definitely make a review of that one too, so again, check out my channel!

Thanks for watching my video, please don’t forget to like and subscribe and feel free leave a comment 🙂

See you next time!

Park Inn Oslo

My review of Park Inn Oslo! — Trip to Oslo VLOG #2

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As you’ve seen in my previous vlog, I’m back in Oslo to celebrate my birthday! In this blog/vlog, I’ll show you the place I’m staying in and that’s Park Inn Oslo! I’ve stayed here several times since its opening in 2010, but now, all rooms and the lobby have a new interior. Watch my video below or read more under it.

 

Location!

The hotel is centrally located at Øvre Slottsgate, which is a side street of Karl Johans Gate, Oslo’s Main Street. Check it out on the map:

Lobby

The hotel’s lobby is a nice area where you can just hang out or work. There’s a bar, so you can enjoy some drinks while chatting with your co-travellers or while you’re getting some work done on your computer.

Room

And here is my room. It’s a standard, decent sized twin room. There’s a desk with enough plugs and a phone. WiFi was easy to connect to and was fast. There’s an extra seat and a table where some complimentary drinks and a personal birthday card were waiting for me. Thanks again Park Inn for making me feel extra welcome!

Above the beds, you’ll notice the mood light. You can adjust the colour or have them change all the time. There are two usb charging ports next to one bed and one normal plug next to both.

There’s a flatscreen TV in front of the beds. Under it, you can find an ironing board and coffee and tea making facilities.

The bathroom is white and has floor heating (that feels nice in the morning!). The bathroom was very clean. There are no individually packed amenities, but the Dove body and hand wash dispensers are way more ecological.

Breakfast

The breakfast area is located on the ground floor, next to the hotel’s entrance. Definitely check out my video for more detailed photos of the breakfast!

There’s a broad selection of food. Of course you have bread, toasts and croissants, bread, knekkebrød, different kinds of jam and butter. There are different kinds of cold cuts, such as cheese, Norwegian brunost, ham and salami. There are cereals and porridge with toppings. You can even prepare your own Norwegian heart waffle!

You can drink some coffee, flavoured water or fresh juice.

Those who like a hot breakfast will enjoy themselves here too: there are sausages, eggs, and a special cooked egg in a bacon wrapper.

And for dessert, you can take a smoothie, take some yoghurt or grab a fruit.

Price?

Like with any other hotel, the price depends on when you book and when you’re staying. Prices are usually between 900 and 1200 NOK, but that really depends on the season. Check out their website here: https://www.parkinn.com/hotel-oslo

Here are some tips to get the best deal:

  • Book at Park Inn’s or Club Carlson’s website. You’ll get the best deals over there and you’re sure about the booking conditions.
  • Book as early as possible. When you book your flight, also book your hotel.
  • Keep an eye out for promotions. Check both www.parkinn.com and www.clubcarlson.com
  • Join Club Carlson: it’s free! You collect points and win extra points during promotional periods or when you book through the app. Once you have at least 5000 points, you can trade points for a discount on your booking. If you save more, you can even have a free night. Club Carlson also often launches promotions, so definitely follow them on social media and www.clubcarlson.com

So, this was my review of my stay at Park Inn in Oslo. I really enjoyed my stay here again and I hope you’ll enjoy yours too when you come to Oslo.

Stay tuned for my next vlog!

Fjordstrom BRU Airport

A tour of Brussels Airport: from train to plane — Trip to Oslo VLOG #1

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Hello everyone! I’m on my way to Oslo for an autumn getaway. In this first vlog, I’ll show you around Brussels Airport. Watch it here or continue reading under the video:

Departures

The underground train station is called Brussels Airport Zaventem. To get to the departures area, you need scan your train ticket to get past the gates. Then, take several escalators up.

You arrive at the departures area where you can check in and drop off your luggage. You can find a Starbucks here, a newspaper shop, a few restaurants and more.

After dropping your luggage, if you have any, walk towards security. There are two piers: pier A for European flights (with A gates for Schengen destinations & T gates for non-Schengen destinations) and pier B for other non-Schengen and intercontinental flights. After security, you need to go to the correct pier, which is stated on your boarding pass. I’ll be guiding you through pier A, as I’m going to Norway.

After security

Brussels Airport

The first thing you’ll see after security, and before going down to the duty free shops, is a water stand where you can buy a bottle for just one euro. I recommend you buy one (or even two) here.

There are several comfortable lounge areas, like this one, just after the Duty Free shop:

 

Food

Hungry? Well, there are several restaurants, such as this one, Beers & Cheers, but also Belgorama (for Belgian food), Panos (for sandwiches) and Quick (for fast food). There are also more high end restaurants where you can eat sushi or seafood. And for Starbucks lovers, yes there’s also one here.

Brussels Airport

Pier A

And here’s pier A, a modern, spacious quiet and calm terminal. You can have a drink, relax and even charge your devices using the USB ports built in the reclined seats near the windows from the beginning to the end of pier A.

On my way to Oslo with Brussels Airlines

Alright, my plane is here. I’m flying with Brussels Airlines, an airline I enjoy flying with. They offer cheap flights while still offering a friendly service on board. Food and drinks on board are for sale at a very reasonable price, or even free if you have a flex ticket called Flex&Fast and Bizz&Class. Those tickets also give you access to the separate lounge and give you priority boarding.

So this was my first vlog about my trip to Oslo. Stay tuned for my next video and meanwhile, check out my other ones on my channel!