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diff --git a/content/blog/2022-04-09-pinetime.org b/content/blog/2022-04-09-pinetime.org deleted file mode 100644 index d6345ac..0000000 --- a/content/blog/2022-04-09-pinetime.org +++ /dev/null @@ -1,146 +0,0 @@ -#+title: PineTime: An Open-Source Smart Watch -#+date: 2022-04-09 -#+description: Playing with the PineTime smart watch. -#+filetags: :hardware: - -* 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. - -#+caption: PineTime Box Contents -[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20220409-pinetime-smart-watch/pinetime_box_contents.png]] - -* 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. - -#+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 -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 - -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. - -#+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. - -#+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*. - -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. |