From caccd81c3eb7954662d20cab10cc3afeeabca615 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Christian Cleberg Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2023 11:23:08 -0600 Subject: initial commit --- blog/2022-04-09-pinetime.org | 148 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 148 insertions(+) create mode 100644 blog/2022-04-09-pinetime.org (limited to 'blog/2022-04-09-pinetime.org') diff --git a/blog/2022-04-09-pinetime.org b/blog/2022-04-09-pinetime.org new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5f5bc51 --- /dev/null +++ b/blog/2022-04-09-pinetime.org @@ -0,0 +1,148 @@ ++++ +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 + +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. + +![PineTime Box Contents](https://img.0x4b1d.org/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, +[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. + +![PineTime Screens](https://img.0x4b1d.org/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 +[InfiniLink](https://github.com/xan-m/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: + +![InfiniLink Home](https://img.0x4b1d.org/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. + +![InfiniLink Steps](https://img.0x4b1d.org/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. + +![InfiniLink Charts](https://img.0x4b1d.org/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. -- cgit v1.2.3-70-g09d2