Overview

Accessory SDK allows you to connect accessory devices to Samsung smart devices. With Accessory SDK, you can define a new service between the accessory and smart device, enabling you to use the various smart device functions from the accessory device. The service is compatible with various connectivity environments, which makes accessory development efficient and convenient.

Accessory SDK adds new functions to the service as Samsung smart devices improve. Future updates will enable the accessory and the smart device to exchange more information and support more interworking.

Figure 1: Samsung Smart Device and Accessories

The Samsung Accessory Ecosystem consists of Samsung smart devices and accessory devices which use the Accessory SDK. Samsung smart devices are equipped with the Samsung Accessory Service Framework, which supports various accessory services. Accessory devices use the framework to interwork with Samsung smart devices.

The Accessory SDK provides a single protocol that supports multiple connectivity technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth classic, and BLE (Bluetooth v4.0). The Samsung Accessory Service Framework supports service discovery that is independent of the connectivity technology, and establishes connections between applications for data exchange. You do not need technical knowledge of each connectivity model to develop Accessory services.

Accessory devices communicate with Samsung smart devices through the various connectivity channels supported by the devices. Samsung smart devices can be connected to many accessory devices to implement services in applications. Establishing a connection between the Samsung smart device and an accessory device allows the latter to offer additional functions supported by the Samsung smart device.

You can use the Accessory SDK to:

  • Control the smart device remotely (for example, controlling music volume)
  • Send and receive files
  • Provide notification relay or alarm
  • Find the smart device

You can also define and implement your own functionality.

Using Remote Control

With Accessory SDK, you can listen to music while carrying your smart device in a bag, and at the same time control the music selection and volume with the Gear accessory device on your wrist. Similarly, you can remotely control other smart device features, like the camera.

Figure 2: Using an accessory device for remote control

Providing Notification Relay

The notification relay is a feature that enables you to receive notifications and messages on your smart device remotely (for example, you are walking around the office while your phone is on your desk), by relaying them to your Gear accessory device to let you know that something is going on.

Figure 3: Notification relay in the accessory device

Finding the Device

The Accessory SDK provides the “Find My Phone” feature, which allows you to use an accessory device to find your smart device.

Figure 4: Locating the device with the accessory

Sending and receiving files

Accessory SDK allows you to transfer files between devices using any type of connectivity supported by the Samsung Accessory Service Framework. You can, for example, develop applications that record a voice memo and send it to the smart device (for example, the Voice Memo application on the Gear sends the recorded memo to the Galaxy Note 3 device).

With Accessory File Transfer, you can send files of any size over all connectivity types supported by the Samsung Accessory Service Framework.

Restrictions

Accessory SDK has the following restrictions

  • Accessory SDK only supports the GALAXY Gear (from January 2014 version), Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, Gear S, Gear S2, Gear S3, Gear Fit 2 Pro, Gear Sports, Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy watch Active 2 and Galaxy Watch 3.
  • Both the smart and accessory device must have the Samsung Accessory Service Framework installed.
  • Devices with Android 4.3 or higher support Accessory SDK (since they are equipped with the Samsung Accessory Service Framework).