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diff --git a/blog/2022-04-09-pinetime.org b/blog/2022-04-09-pinetime.org index 0bd7814..b0fc662 100644 --- a/blog/2022-04-09-pinetime.org +++ b/blog/2022-04-09-pinetime.org @@ -1,148 +1,178 @@ -+++ -date = 2022-04-09 -title = "PineTime: An Open-Source SmartWatch" -description = "Exploring the PineTime, an open-source smartwatch created by PINE64." -draft = false -+++ - -## PineTime Product Information - -### Overview - -The [PineTime](https://www.pine64.org/pinetime/) is an open-source smartwatch, -created by [PINE64](https://www.pine64.org). 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 - +#+title: PineTime: An Open-Source SmartWatch +#+date: 2022-04-09 + +** PineTime Product Information +:PROPERTIES: +:CUSTOM_ID: pinetime-product-information +:END: +*** Overview +:PROPERTIES: +:CUSTOM_ID: overview +:END: +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 +:PROPERTIES: +:CUSTOM_ID: product-specifications +:END: I won't dive into too many details that you can find on -[the product page](https://www.pine64.org/pinetime/), but I wanted to point out -the prices for each watch and the primary functions: - -#### Price: - -- $26.99 (Sealed) -- $24.99 (Dev Kit) -- $51.98 (One Sealed + One Dev Kit) - -#### 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, -[InfiniTime](https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/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 - +[[https://www.pine64.org/pinetime/][the product page]], but I wanted to +point out the prices for each watch and the primary functions: + +**** Price: +:PROPERTIES: +:CUSTOM_ID: price +:END: +- $26.99 (Sealed) +- $24.99 (Dev Kit) +- $51.98 (One Sealed + One Dev Kit) + +**** Primary Functionality: +:PROPERTIES: +:CUSTOM_ID: primary-functionality +:END: +- Clock (+ Smartphone Sync) +- Pedometer +- Heart Rate Monitor +- Sleep Monitor +- Calories burned +- Messaging +- Smartphone Notifications +- Media Controls + +** Unboxing +:PROPERTIES: +:CUSTOM_ID: unboxing +:END: +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. + +#+caption: PineTime Box Contents +[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20220409-pinetime-smart-watch/pinetime_box_contents.png]] + +** Software +:PROPERTIES: +:CUSTOM_ID: software +:END: +*** Watch OS: InfiniTime +:PROPERTIES: +:CUSTOM_ID: watch-os-infinitime +:END: +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. + +#+caption: PineTime Screens +[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20220409-pinetime-smart-watch/pinetime.png]] + +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 +:PROPERTIES: +:CUSTOM_ID: ios-app-infinilink +:END: Since I am using iOS as my primary mobile device OS, I am using the -[InfiniLink](https://github.com/xan-m/InfiniLink) app to connect my watch. +[[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 +- Firmware updates +- Steps +- Charts +- Notifications -I mashed up a few screenshots to show off the home page, menu, firmware update, -and notification test screens: +I mashed up a few screenshots to show off the home page, menu, firmware +update, and notification test screens: - +#+caption: InfiniLink Home +[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20220409-pinetime-smart-watch/infinilink_home.png]] -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. +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. - +#+caption: InfiniLink Steps +[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20220409-pinetime-smart-watch/infinilink_steps.png]] -Finally, there are charts to display the battery percentage and heart rates over -time. This area also comes with an option to clear data. +Finally, there are charts to display the battery percentage and heart +rates over time. This area also comes with an option to clear data. - +#+caption: InfiniLink Charts +[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20220409-pinetime-smart-watch/infinilink_charts.png]] -## 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**. +** Final Thoughts +:PROPERTIES: +:CUSTOM_ID: final-thoughts +:END: +*** Pros +:PROPERTIES: +:CUSTOM_ID: pros +:END: +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. +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. +enthusiasts and developers I've seen. Watching the Matrix channel, +forums, and website have been exciting to see. + +*** Cons +:PROPERTIES: +:CUSTOM_ID: cons +:END: +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. |