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+#+date: <2022-04-09>
+#+title: PineTime: An Open-Source Smart Watch
+#+description: 
+
+
+* PineTime Product Information
+
+** Overview
+
+The [[https://www.pine64.org/pinetime/][PineTime]] is an open-source
+smartwatch, created by [[https://www.pine64.org][PINE64]]. Originally
+announced in September 2019, this ARM-based watch is a fantastic option
+for users who want the benefits of a modern smartwatch with the backing
+of open-source components and software.
+
+** Product Specifications
+
+I won't dive into too many details that you can find on
+[[https://www.pine64.org/pinetime/][the product page]], but I wanted to
+point out the prices for each watch and the primary functions:
+
+1. Price:
+
+   - $26.99 (Sealed)
+   - $24.99 (Dev Kit)
+   - $51.98 (One Sealed + One Dev Kit)
+
+2. Primary Functionality:
+
+   - Clock (+ Smartphone Sync)
+   - Pedometer
+   - Heart Rate Monitor
+   - Sleep Monitor
+   - Calories burned
+   - Messaging
+   - Smartphone Notifications
+   - Media Controls
+
+* Unboxing
+
+Now, my PineTime was ordered on 2022-02-17, shipped on 2022-02-22, and
+was delivered on 2022-03-23. With the current delays on shipping times
+around the world (and the semiconductor shortage), a month for delivery
+from China seems reasonable to me.
+
+The packaging is simple, and the watch comes with instructions,
+technical information, the watch, and a charger (it does not include a
+USB wall adapter).
+
+The watch itself was able to turn on immediately when I pulled it out of
+the box, but the battery was depleted and required charging right away.
+
+* Software
+
+** Watch OS: InfiniTime
+
+While turning on the watch for the first time, some of the main design
+choices you can see in the watch OS,
+[[https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/InfiniTime][InfiniTime]], are:
+
+- A square bezel, not too thin against the sides of the watch.
+- A simple, rubber band.
+- Basic font and screen pixel design.
+- Swipe gestures to access other screens.
+
+The OS itself is fantastic in terms of functionality for me. It does
+exactly what a smartwatch should do - track time, steps, heart rates,
+and connect to another smart device, without being overly burdensome to
+the user.
+
+My only gripe so far is that it's /really/ difficult to swipe to
+different screens, such as pulling down the notification tray. I'm not
+sure if this is an OS or hardware issue, but it makes it quite hard to
+quickly move around the screens.
+
+However, my absolute favorite design choice is that the button the side
+turns the screen on and off and tilting/waving my wrist doesn't
+accidentally turn on the screen. With other watches, I absolutely hated
+not being able to turn off the raise-to-wake or wave features (i.e.,
+blinding myself while wearing a watch at night because I moved my arm).
+
+** iOS App: InfiniLink
+
+Since I am using iOS as my primary mobile device OS, I am using the
+[[https://github.com/xan-m/InfiniLink][InfiniLink]] app to connect my
+watch.
+
+This app provides the following for PineTime owners:
+
+- Firmware updates
+- Steps
+- Charts
+- Notifications
+
+Another big feature of InfiniLink is the ability to track pedometer
+steps in a collection of beautiful graphs, with the option to change
+your step goal and add in manual steps.
+
+Finally, there are charts to display the battery percentage and heart
+rates over time. This area also comes with an option to clear data.
+
+* Final Thoughts
+
+** Pros
+
+After wearing my watch for a few weeks, I have mostly positive thoughts
+about the watch so far. In the past, I have owned smartwatches by
+FitBit, Fossil, Apple, etc. - *but I prefer the PineTime over all of
+those watches*.
+
+The PineTime strips out all the unnecessary features and performs the
+functions that it provides effectively and efficiently.
+
+The battery life is amazing on this device. By default, the watch seems
+to last anywhere from a few days to a week before dying.
+
+And of course, it's open source and backed by some of the most dedicated
+enthusiasts and developers I've seen. Watching the Matrix channel,
+forums, and website have been exciting to see.
+
+** Cons
+
+If I had to complain about anything, it would simply be the small bugs
+in some features that can be contributed to the companion apps more than
+the watch itself.
+
+A regular user would want native notification support out-of-the-box,
+which is the biggest item not working for me at the moment.
+
+My only other complaint is that the battery indicator on the watch
+doesn't seem accurate when it's nearing depletion - it seems that
+there's a bit of battery life left and then my watch is dead very
+suddenly after. This could just be me misinterpreting the battery level
+icons, but it has fooled me a few times into thinking I had more battery
+left than I actually did.
+
+Other than those small items, I really do love this watch and am glad I
+replaced my Apple Watch with the PineTime.