| 1 | PineTime - End of 2021 review |
| 2 | |
| 3 | # A PineWhatNow? |
| 4 | If you missed the PineTime blog, [go check it out now](./pinetime-a-promising-open-smartwatch.html). This is an continuation |
| 5 | to the previous blog. |
| 6 | |
| 7 | ## What has changed since? |
| 8 | A lot. Let's start by summing up the faults I had last time for PineTime's InfiniTime software. |
| 9 | - Touch registration sucks |
| 10 | - Bluetooth disconnects |
| 11 | - Steps getting lost |
| 12 | |
| 13 | I am thrilled to say, all of these have been fixed in current master build of InfiniTime. My watch is currently running |
| 14 | InfiniTime build 8ab959b (to-be 1.8) from December 20th 2021. To address each concern, I applaud the following PRs and their creators for |
| 15 | fixing these two issues: [#688](https://github.com/InfiniTimeOrg/InfiniTime/pull/688), [#625](https://github.com/InfiniTimeOrg/InfiniTime/pull/625) |
| 16 | and [#492](https://github.com/InfiniTimeOrg/InfiniTime/pull/492). |
| 17 | |
| 18 | As for steps getting lost, recently JF02 has added Bluetooth relaying of step count for companion applications. Gadgetbridge |
| 19 | was quick to recognize this and added support. For first time in half year, I am able to save and review the amount I've walked |
| 20 | or ran during the day. |
| 21 | |
| 22 | ## Okay, your biggest gripes are dealt with, what else? |
| 23 | Bluetooth pairing! Thanks to the amazing work of evergreen22, we can now securely pair PineTime devices. This was a big concern |
| 24 | of mine as anyone can initiate a firmware upgrade over Bluetooth and potentially wreck havoc on nearby PineTime watches. |
| 25 | Of course that fear is largely unjustified as the market share is extremely tiny that it would be pointless for cybercriminals |
| 26 | to target such devices. |
| 27 | |
| 28 | ## Wishlist |
| 29 | Probably more variety of watchfaces and sleep monitoring as it is one of the advertised points on the box. I understand that the |
| 30 | original Chinese firmware had that functionality, but so far the FOSS firmware InfiniTime which ships with new PineTime watches |
| 31 | lacks the functionality. |
| 32 | As for companion applications, I have a gripe with my watch vibrating after I accept an incoming call already - that's one thing I |
| 33 | wish that would be fixed. OsmAnd integration would be nice as well. |
| 34 | |
| 35 | ## Should you buy it? |
| 36 | Yes. You shouldn't trust your data to likes of Garmin or Apple. PineTime is a fine wine supported by the passionate community surrounding it. |
| 37 | As for normies, maybe wait an half year or so for the wrinkles to be ironed out for smoother experience. |
| 38 | |
| 39 | |
| 40 | Thanks for reading, happy new year and stay based! |
| 41 | - Cernodile |
| 42 | |
| 43 | ;tags:pine64 smartwatch opensource review |
| 44 | ;description:PineTime is a open-source smartwatch built by Pine64 and the community on the budget. What has changed in 5 months from July to December of 2021? Find out in this new year's summary review. |