From 797a1404213173791a5f4126a77ad383ceb00064 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Christian Cleberg Date: Mon, 4 Mar 2024 22:34:28 -0600 Subject: initial migration to test org-mode --- blog/pinetime/index.org | 146 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 146 insertions(+) create mode 100644 blog/pinetime/index.org (limited to 'blog/pinetime/index.org') diff --git a/blog/pinetime/index.org b/blog/pinetime/index.org new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d6345ac --- /dev/null +++ b/blog/pinetime/index.org @@ -0,0 +1,146 @@ +#+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. -- cgit v1.2.3-70-g09d2